Every business continually searches for ways to minimize costs while generating more output. For example, becoming more energy efficient can help you cut some overhead costs as your monthly utility bill will be smaller.
Here are tips on how to save energy in your office to cut down your electric bills:
1. Use energy-efficient lighting
You’ll have light bulbs on throughout the work hours, which isn’t cheap. Almost 40% of the total energy usage in your company might be for lighting alone. So you want to ensure you’re using only energy-efficient lights. Of course, employees will not always remember to turn off lights after use. Perhaps use motion sensors in toilets and other less-frequented rooms so that the light automatically switches off when no one is in the room. Despite the initial cost of making all these purchases, you’ll later realize it was a wise investment in your energy savings.
Furthermore, you can make your business more energy efficient by allowing natural light into the office and turning off some lights. Everything counts.
2. Determine your office’s energy use
The first step to saving on energy bills is to find out how much you spend on energy daily and where you might be wasting it. You can then adjust the energy-heavy tasks and avoid waste. An excellent way to get such insight is by using a smart meter.
Smart meters give you greater clarity on energy consumption and accurate billing than estimates. Find out who has the cheapest electricity per kwh in your area and choose that provider.
3. Mind your air conditioning
Air conditioning can impact your energy bills significantly by up to 30%. So you want to use it very sparingly.
Be it winter or summer, ask your employees to dress for the weather so that the air con doesn’t have to work too hard. It’s also wise to schedule regular air conditioning service to keep the unit working efficiently. That’s because dirty filters and faulty thermostats can make the A/C produce an inadequate temperature than it should. So you may be overworking your air con to compensate for the inadequacy, leading to higher bills.
When your A/C works efficiently, it uses less power and gives more output (desired temperature).
4. Turn things off when not in use
Employees typically keep devices on when not in use so they can use them instantly when needed. But that can be detrimental to your energy bills.
Encourage your employees to power off desktops and other devices they aren’t sure of using within the next 20 minutes. Unplug printers, chargers, and other office machinery when idle. Even switches can drain energy when on.
5. Only use required settings
It’s common to turn up device settings above the manufacturer’s recommendation just to get things done fast. This is common in workshops. So if your business deals with production, this is one area you need to focus on for energy savings. Be efficient in your cost, consider exploring your option to switch commercial electricity supplier for potential cost savings and better service as you are in production. Use recommended settings and effect repairs quickly to avoid overworking equipment and using more energy than necessary.
6. Eliminate energy waste in your workplace
To save energy throughout your workplace, minimize wastage by doing the following:
- Keep all doors and windows shut when the A/C is on. This will keep cool/warm air from escaping.
- Install insulation
- Instead of kettles and water coolers, consider using a water machine instead. It will help reduce the number of machines consuming energy.
Final thoughts
No business owner can save energy optimally without involving their employees. You get the best results through a joint effort. For example, if you’re the only one shutting doors and turning off lights after use whereas everyone else doesn’t, your effort would be insignificant.
Make sure everyone follows your lead, so try to lead by example.