Prioritizing energy efficiency is a smart move for your business if you want to save money, and it also shows you care about sustainability, which should appeal to modern consumers and stakeholders.
When you take steps to optimize your business property’s energy efficiency, you can create a more comfortable and productive space for your staff while also reducing your bills. This article covers some practical tips to improve the energy efficiency of your commercial space.
Conduct an Energy Audit
Before you make any changes, your first step is to conduct a professional energy audit. This will help you identify areas of inefficiency, like poor insulation or energy-draining lighting.
Many utility companies and third-party specialists offer energy audit services and will be happy to provide you with tailored recommendations to improve. Once you know your current energy usage, you’ll be better equipped for making big changes.
Upgrade to Energy Efficient Lighting
Lighting is one of the biggest energy expenses for businesses. If you can’t remember the last time you replaced your bulbs, swap them out for energy-efficient LEDs as a simple way to save a lot of energy.
If you want to be as energy efficient as possible with your lighting, install lights that are activated by motion sensors or automated lighting systems, so they’re only switched on when they’re needed. These upgrades will save you money and maintenance in the long run, as LED bulbs last longer.
Improve Insulation and Optimize Your HVAC
Heating and cooling systems account for a big chunk of commercial energy use, and if they’re poorly insulated, their efficiency will suffer.
Make sure your property is well insulated, especially the roof and walls, and check for air leaks around windows, doors, and vents. If you find any gaps, you’ll want to seal them with caulk or weather stripping to prevent energy loss and reduce the load on your HVAC systems.
And on that note, old heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems are less efficient and more costly to run, so definitely look into upgrading to an energy-efficient HVAC system if needed.
Go for Renewable Energy Solutions
Finally, solar panels are a great way to increase your business’ energy efficiency and reduce your dependence on traditional power sources.
Installing solar panels on your property means you can use renewable energy to offset your electricity costs, and even generate extra income (if your area offers net metering programs). Yes, the upfront cost of solar panels is high, but the long-term savings make solar a worthwhile option.
Monitor Your Results
Once you’ve made all the changes you can budget for, keep monitoring your energy usage over time. Treat your energy use as another business metric, and compare your data before and after making upgrades to measure the impact of your efforts.
Monitoring your energy usage over time will help you become more aware of what drains the most energy, so you can identify more areas for improvement and ensure that new systems are helping you save money as expected.
