These days it has become increasingly important to be aware of our energy output. Not only is being mindful of your energy output ecologically prudent, it can help you save money as well. Following are some easy ways to start reducing your energy usage and putting money back in your business’ coffers.
Lighting
Lighting is generally a huge cost and energy expenditure for businesses. This doesn’t need to be the case. The trick is learning to save energy without sacrificing illumination. The simplest way to save money on lighting is the most obvious. Lights need to be turned off when they are not needed. If employees have a difficult time remembering to shut off unneeded lights, it’s a good idea to install motion sensors or timers to help reduce energy usage. Other ways to save lighting energy are to install and use dimmers on lights, taking advantage of natural lighting and using CFLs instead of traditional light bulbs.
Water Usage
Although water might not be a highly significant energy expense for businesses, it is still a place where businesses can save on their energy usage. If you identify a leak in the building, be sure to have it repaired right away. Make sure your hot water heater is in good repair and replace it with a more energy-efficient model when the time comes for a new one. Also, be sure to keep your hot water temperature at a moderate level. Usually hot water applications require temperatures between 110°F and 140°F. Overheating water can wind up costing you hundreds of dollars each year.
Office Equipment Usage
Office equipment accounts for a large portion of a business’ energy expense. But, there are some easy ways to reduce the amount of energy these large pieces of equipment use. If you are in the market for new equipment, make sure that you only purchase machines that are Energy Star qualified. If you are using old equipment, be sure to turn it off if it is not going to be used for an extended period of time. Smaller pieces of office equipment should be unplugged when not in use. Employees should be sure to shut down their computers at the end of the workday.
Transportation
If your business operates vehicles or has company cars, convert to hybrid cars. As vehicles can be costly, a complete overhaul of a fleet may take some time, but the end result is worth the time and effort. The Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (SWEEP) has resources available to help you find the best hybrid vehicles for your business.
Colorado Carbon Fund
The Colorado Carbon Fund is an organization that is dedicated to helping individuals and companies reduce their carbon footprint. It is “the first and only statewide voluntary offset program in the US”. The organization provides outreach programs that inform individuals and businesses about energy efficiency as well as other initiatives that help Coloradans lower their energy consumption.
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