Energy
The bottom line of running a successful business is to make every dollar count. Limiting unnecessary energy use keeps money in your pocket and your business running efficiently.
The tips in this guide can help you cut your business’s energy costs substantially — and even improve comfort and productivity. It’s easy to do and works whether you own or rent. What’s more, there are many things you can do yourself. Now let’s get started!
- Basic
Just Getting Started - Intermediate
Going a Little Deeper - Advanced
Transforming Your Organization
- Turn off lights in unoccupied areas
- Take advantage of natural lighting
- Put reminder stickers on light switches to turn them off
- Replace incandescent lamps with ENERGY STAR® rated CFLs or LEDs
- Replace T-12 fluorescent lamps with high-efficiency T-8, T-5 or LED lamps
- Use partial lighting before and after public hours
- Use only necessary safety and security lighting
- Make sure automatic lighting controls are working properly
- Reduce cooling and heating in unused areas
- Adjust temperature settings and schedules to avoid unnecessary cooling or heating
- If you have a central air system, make sure the system is balanced
- Repair doors and windows that don’t close or seal properly
- Close window treatments during summer months
- Remove excess office equipment and use smart power strips to manage equipment use
- Reduce hot water temperature settings and use
- Obtain an energy audit
- Install occupancy sensors
- Replace incandescent exit signs with LED signs
- Install smart or programmable thermostats
- Replace HVAC units or systems with high-efficiency equipment
- Inspect and repair existing insulation above ceilings or under the roof
- Replace motors with high-efficiency options
- Install variable-frequency drives on pumps and motors
- Add insulation in areas of need
- Add reflective solar films to windows
- Install landscaping to shade windows in sun-struck sections of your building
- Install power management software or systems to minimize equipment use after hours
- Install low-flow faucet aerators and shower heads to reduce hot water use
- Create a 5-year or 10-year ambitious sustainability vision, goals and targets of success
- Implement tactics to reach energy reduction goals
- Establish sustainable purchasing policies – prioritizing energy efficiency in the selection criteria for the purchase of new or replacement equipment
- Engage employees at all levels in greening the workplace, their homes and communities through energy reduction efforts
- Embed your sustainability goals into your products and services – help your customers Go Green!
- Engage suppliers and business customers in collaborative projects to help achieve your mutual sustainability goals
- Champion sustainability initiatives within your industry association and work to solve challenges together
- Measure and report your progress, share your best practices and efforts with others
