Increasing your business’s energy efficiency is one of the best ways to lower your business’s electricity rates. It can also save you money in the long run and help your business stay competitive.
Aside from saving your business money, energy efficiency can also improve your environment. This is because it lowers the number of pollutants released into our air and water.
Energy Audit
Energy audits look at a building’s energy-consuming systems to identify ways to reduce costs. Many buildings, including homes, offices, and hospitals, benefit from an energy audit.
An energy auditor performs various tests and inspections to find ways to save energy. For example, they may use a blower door test to find air leaks in a building.
They also look at how a building uses energy, which includes the HVAC system, lighting, and appliances. They will then suggest changes that can save energy.
The energy savings from these measures can often offset the cost of an audit. This can significantly benefit business owners who want to reduce their energy expenses.
Getting an energy audit is a good idea for almost any business, but it benefits companies in areas with seasonality. For instance, if you’re in the Northeast and have high electricity bills in the winter, doing energy efficiency projects before the cold weather begins is a great way to save money.
Lighting
Lighting is the most critical energy use in any commercial building, consuming up to 17% of the building’s total energy usage. Upgrading to LEDs will significantly reduce a business’s electricity consumption and lower the building’s carbon emissions.
Moreover, LEDs are far more efficient than incandescent, halogen, or fluorescent bulbs, with CFL and LEDs costing just one-fifth of traditional light bulbs at two hours per day.
Many businesses are making a big push toward energy efficiency. The benefits of this are numerous and can include lower business electricity rates, lower utility bills, and reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
As energy costs continue to rise, it is increasingly important to find ways to save money on your business’s electricity costs. A simple change in your lighting strategy could make a huge difference in lowering your electricity bill, as can a slight change in the base rate you pay for your business’s energy.
HVAC
When lowering business electricity rates in Texas, consider making an energy-efficient change in your facility. This will allow you to save money on your bills while also saving the planet by reducing energy usage.
There are several ways you can go about achieving this. One way is to have an HVAC technician inspect your building and recommend improving its efficiency.
Another way is to use energy-efficient appliances and lighting retrofits to keep your facility running efficiently and economically. While these improvements may require an initial investment, they can pay off for years.
An HVAC system comprises three main components: a heating unit, a cooling unit, and ventilation ducts to move air. The heating and cooling units are connected to a thermostat, which lets you set a temperature to control the air coming into or out of your building.
Ventilation starts with fans and blowers that pull in fresh air from outside to bring the air into your building. It also includes filters that capture pollutants, ensuring the air you breathe is clean and safe for everyone in your building.
Appliances
Energy efficiency is a great way to lower your business’s electricity rates. It helps your business save money while improving the environment and boosting its bottom line.
The first step in lowering your business’s electric bill is to become aware of how much energy your appliances use. You can measure this by looking at the kilowatt-hours of a device, which is a simple number that calculates how many watts it uses in an hour.
It’s important to note that a kilowatt-hour is not a fixed amount of energy but instead a number that can vary depending on how you use the appliance. For example, a 600-watt microwave that runs for an hour will use about 0.6 kilowatt-hours of energy.
Once you know how much energy a device uses, you can start making adjustments that will help you lower your bills. For example, you can replace old lighting with new, energy-efficient bulbs.
Choosing certified appliances is an excellent way to cut your business’s energy costs. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) tests and rates these products to be more efficient than their non-certified counterparts. These appliances typically have higher upfront costs but are worth it in the long run.
Office Equipment
If you have an office, chances are your business needs various equipment. This includes everything from fax machines to computer printers and more.
These types of supplies are essential to help your employees do their jobs effectively while also helping to make your business look more professional. These items make your business easier to operate.
Many of these pieces of equipment are energy-efficient and can be purchased with a unique label that tells you how much electricity they use compared to standard models. Labeled products can save you up to 75% in energy costs, so checking for them when purchasing is essential.
In addition, you can control your peak demand by staggering start times and running some demanding equipment during off hours. This will ensure that your office is not using the most electricity at any given time.
You can also reduce your office’s energy usage by putting appliances on timers and ensuring all plug loads are used efficiently. These steps can significantly reduce your company’s energy bills.
