For businesses, success equals a black bottom line. Therefore, they are looking for ways to increase revenue and decrease expenses. Although some savings may come from a change in benefits, reduced rent, or even selling anything they are not using, more businesses are looking at energy management to save money. Continue reading to discover seven energy management tips for businesses. Implementing these tips can improve productivity and save companies money.
1. Have an Energy Audit
An energy audit is essential if a business is serious about managing its energy usage. An energy audit gets completed by a registered energy advisor or energy auditor to help consumers use energy more efficiently. It helps reduce energy costs and will evaluate how the building’s energy use impacts the environment. During the audit, there are evaluation, testing, and efficiency recommendations. Once completed, energy grading and suggestions for cutting energy get provided.
Energy audits are essential because they help companies make energy conservation improvements. Other benefits include:
Businesses get a better understanding of their energy usage
The auditor points out safety concerns with electrical systems, wiring, and ventilation
Improvements made after an energy audit increase the property value
If there is carbon monoxide production in the building, an energy audit will reveal it
2. Allow Remote Work
The COVID-19 pandemic forced employees from many industries home to work remotely. Companies have noticed that one significant benefit is energy management and saving.
Companies save money on energy bills by allowing employees to work remotely. Some reasons are that tons of computers are off, thermostats aren’t constantly adjusted for everyone’s comfort, the printer (which generates heat) isn’t running, and more.
3. Install a Programmable Thermostat
A programmable thermostat helps regulate temperatures, and energy managers can leverage the settings throughout the year or during different times of the day. The key to using a programmable thermostat is establishing automatic times for heating and cooling the work area.
Some features of a programmable thermostat include:
They can be manual or digital
They give reminders to change filters
There is internet connectivity so they can be changed or adjusted from anywhere
4. Get a System Tailored for Your Business
While many changes can save businesses money on energy costs, managing energy can become time-consuming and not always result in imagined savings. Therefore, getting a system tailored to your business may be a more efficient way to manage energy.
For instance, an energy management system will help make businesses energy-efficient by using data-driven insights to work through the prevailing climate and energy usage crisis.
5. Purchase Energy-Efficient Office Equipment
As stated above, adopting energy efficiency throughout the office can save companies money. That can also be done by purchasing energy-efficient office equipment. In addition to saving money on utility expenses, using energy-efficient or ENERGY STAR equipment can offer tax benefits to businesses.
6. Take Advantage of Natural Lighting
There are many advantages to taking advantage of natural light in businesses. In addition to better employee productivity, other benefits include:
- Improved mood
- Fewer mistakes
- Reduced eye strain
- Fewer headaches reported
- Less drowsiness
To get the best use of natural light, businesses should arrange furniture so that it is closer to the windows. They can add plants, water fountains, or lighter paint colors on walls.
7. Engage Employees in Energy Saving Methods
For businesses, managing energy may be about saving money. However, for employees, it could be more personal. They may be considering the environment left for the next generations to live with or fix. That is why it is crucial to engage employees in energy-saving solutions. Not only will they have great tips, but they will also enjoy the camaraderie of working along with other employees to manage energy.
Conclusion
As you have read, success equals the bottom line for many businesses. While saving money on benefits and rent, they can also save by managing energy usage. When implemented, the seven energy management tips for businesses will improve productivity and save the company money.