Energy Efficient Strategies That Work for Any Building

 
Electricity can cost your business a surprising amount of money when you don't take the steps necessary to reduce energy costs. If you want to slash your energy costs, you need to invest into your business by hiring experienced electrical contractors and encouraging your employees to make changes in how they work.

Be Ready to Invest

You will need to invest a lot of money into your energy efficiency efforts early on. If you attempt to invest only a small amount, the project will fail because the return on investment will be too slow to come and won't be as great.

If you feel like your business is not receiving enough support from management to make the energy efficiency program a success, gather together statistics to support your case. Energy-efficient commercial buildings can help:
  • Lower operating costs
  • Improve building comfort
  • Reduce impact on the environment
  • Bolster your company's reputation
Explain how an investment in energy efficiency will make the business more profitable in the long-term. Create and show a detailed outline of the current problem.

Install Programmable Thermostats

Your building likely doesn't need heating or cooling throughout the night. Instead of running the thermostat all day and all night, program it to bring the temperature to the right point just an hour before employees arrive at work. This strategy can help save energy without compromising on comfort.

While you may have a good strategy for programming your thermostat, some employees might want to adjust the temperature throughout the day. Implement a locking device or work with a contractor who can integrate the thermostat into a system accessible only by authorized personnel to better manage your thermostat and energy bills.

Don't Set the Temperature Too High or Low

A common reason why businesses become inefficient is because they do not handle heating and cooling in an efficient manner. You may be overheating or cooling your building. When heating your building, consider setting the temperature a few degrees higher than what you believe is needed. Do the opposite when cooling.

Perform Regular Preventative Maintenance

Maintain a preventative maintenance program for all of your equipment, including your HVAC. Equipment typically becomes more expensive to operate when not properly maintained. Make sure that a qualified commercial electrician comes to your business periodically to make sure the equipment is functioning properly and there are no hidden electrical hazards.

Modernize Electrical Wires

If you have been placing a greater strain on your building than in the past, the electrical wires might need an upgrade. For example, if you install a piece of equipment that uses more voltage than an outlet is able to supply, you'll certainly need an upgrade. Your building may not only not operate efficiently enough, but you may also be at risk of a fire.

Use Energy-Efficient Lights

Lights are a common source of wasted energy regardless of the type of business. Switching to lights that don't have to be on all the time, such as bi-level switching, can make a difference.

Employees should be able to dim lights both to reduce energy use and to make the room more comfortable. If employees often leave lights on, installing occupancy sensors can ensure that lights turn off when no one is in the room.

Purchase Energy-Efficient Equipment

Computers, printers, and other common office equipment can waste energy unless they are rated by ENERGY STAR as being energy-efficient. Regardless of what equipment you use in your office, install timers so that the equipment is not operating after hours. Even a heating element for a coffee pot can waste energy.

Hire Skilled Commercial Electrical Contractors

When you’re ready to make a major investment in your energy-efficiency, contact the experienced electrical contractors at Circle Electric, Inc. We are dedicated to building a relationship with your business that is reliable and providing value for your business.

 
Electricity can cost your business a surprising amount of money when you don't take the steps necessary to reduce energy costs. If you want to slash your energy costs, you need to invest into your business by hiring experienced electrical contractors and encouraging your employees to make changes in how they work.

Be Ready to Invest

You will need to invest a lot of money into your energy efficiency efforts early on. If you attempt to invest only a small amount, the project will fail because the return on investment will be too slow to come and won't be as great.

If you feel like your business is not receiving enough support from management to make the energy efficiency program a success, gather together statistics to support your case. Energy-efficient commercial buildings can help:
  • Lower operating costs
  • Improve building comfort
  • Reduce impact on the environment
  • Bolster your company's reputation
Explain how an investment in energy efficiency will make the business more profitable in the long-term. Create and show a detailed outline of the current problem.

Install Programmable Thermostats

Your building likely doesn't need heating or cooling throughout the night. Instead of running the thermostat all day and all night, program it to bring the temperature to the right point just an hour before employees arrive at work. This strategy can help save energy without compromising on comfort.

While you may have a good strategy for programming your thermostat, some employees might want to adjust the temperature throughout the day. Implement a locking device or work with a contractor who can integrate the thermostat into a system accessible only by authorized personnel to better manage your thermostat and energy bills.

Don't Set the Temperature Too High or Low

A common reason why businesses become inefficient is because they do not handle heating and cooling in an efficient manner. You may be overheating or cooling your building. When heating your building, consider setting the temperature a few degrees higher than what you believe is needed. Do the opposite when cooling.

Perform Regular Preventative Maintenance

Maintain a preventative maintenance program for all of your equipment, including your HVAC. Equipment typically becomes more expensive to operate when not properly maintained. Make sure that a qualified commercial electrician comes to your business periodically to make sure the equipment is functioning properly and there are no hidden electrical hazards.

Modernize Electrical Wires

If you have been placing a greater strain on your building than in the past, the electrical wires might need an upgrade. For example, if you install a piece of equipment that uses more voltage than an outlet is able to supply, you'll certainly need an upgrade. Your building may not only not operate efficiently enough, but you may also be at risk of a fire.

Use Energy-Efficient Lights

Lights are a common source of wasted energy regardless of the type of business. Switching to lights that don't have to be on all the time, such as bi-level switching, can make a difference.

Employees should be able to dim lights both to reduce energy use and to make the room more comfortable. If employees often leave lights on, installing occupancy sensors can ensure that lights turn off when no one is in the room.

Purchase Energy-Efficient Equipment

Computers, printers, and other common office equipment can waste energy unless they are rated by ENERGY STAR as being energy-efficient. Regardless of what equipment you use in your office, install timers so that the equipment is not operating after hours. Even a heating element for a coffee pot can waste energy.

Hire Skilled Commercial Electrical Contractors

When you’re ready to make a major investment in your energy-efficiency, contact the experienced electrical contractors at Circle Electric, Inc. We are dedicated to building a relationship with your business that is reliable and providing value for your business.