Running a successful business is one of the most difficult endeavors you can undertake. A solid business plan, attention to detail, great employees, and satisfied customers are important elements. However, when you narrow it down, it’s all about making a profit. To do this, you will need to focus on reducing costs as well. One expense that many business owners fail to control costs is energy waste. By following a few simple tips, you can cut energy waste in your Charleston, South Carolina, business. Here’s how to do it.
Update Your Lighting
You should consider upgrading your lighting, especially if you haven’t done so in 10 years or more. Over the past decade, lighting technology has grown by leaps and bounds, allowing sufficient lighting but without the pricey bill. Most of these fixtures carry the Energy Star logo, notifying you of the potential savings.
In addition, you should also abandon incandescent bulbs for something that’s more economical. Halogen lights, LED lighting, and CFL bulbs all offer the same amount of light while lowering your monthly utility bill. By transitioning to these bulbs, you stand to save between $30 and $80 over the lifetime of the bulb.
Change Your Air Filter
Filter changes might seem like a simple task, but it is also very important. The filter helps to clean the air in your business, making the air more breathable and preventing contaminants from affecting employees or customers.
Filters need to be replaced or cleaned regularly. The kind of business you operate will also impact the frequency with which the filters will need to be changed. If you operate in a dusty environment, for example, your filter will get clogged with dust and other debris more quickly. A clogged filter causes air circulation to suffer and forces your air conditioner to run longer and harder. The result will be higher energy bills and more frequent repair costs.
To counteract this effect, make sure to set a reminder or a schedule to ensure the air filter gets changed on time. If you change the filter and still notice your HVAC system running overtime, you may want to consider a service call or preventative maintenance plan.
Turn It Off
It may seem like a no-brainer to turn off appliances, computers, and other electrical equipment when they are not in use, but many businesses fail to do this on a routine basis. You don’t necessarily have to turn everything off from day to day, but on holidays and weekends, it’s a good idea. Even if you don’t want to turn everything off, you can utilize the sleep or rest functions of office electronics such as computers, printers, and scanners.
Replace Your HVAC System
In most cases, an HVAC system’s lifespan is between 10 and 15 years. While proper upkeep may extend the life for a few more years, you need to consider a replacement after this time. Although there’s a moderate initial cost, you’ll easily save money in the long run, especially if you install an air conditioner with the Energy Star logo.
One pitfall that many business owners run into is selecting a unit that’s not properly sized. Whether it’s too large or too small doesn’t matter; both will run harder and cause unnecessary energy waste. When in doubt, ask the pros at Berkeley Heating and Air to help you to size the perfect air conditioner so you can maximize efficiency.
Talk to Your Employees
Even if you take all the necessary steps to cut energy waste, you may have employees that are a little less vigilant. These employees leave windows open, doors ajar, lights on, and they tinker with the thermostat. Hold a meeting to tell employees what you expect concerning energy usage, and if you notice a sudden spike in your utility bill, hold subsequent meetings to discuss the issue.
Saving money on your energy bill isn’t as hard as you think, as long as you remain diligent on these issues. However, you may need maintenance, expert advice, or installation of more energy-efficient fixtures and appliances in your business. That’s when you should call Berkeley Heating & Air Conditioning. Visit our website, or call us today at (843) 277-6030 to learn how we can help you to improve energy efficiency.
Image provided by Shutterstock
