Running a business is a complex job. Subjects like energy efficiency often take a back seat to just meeting day-to- day business needs. So, Thurston Climate Action Team has assembled a list of simple actions you can take to improve efficiency and reduce long-term costs.
1. Replace your incandescent lighting with LEDs. The price of LEDs is coming down and they use far less energy and last up to 40 times longer. They pay off in the long run. Look to sources like Lowes, Home Depot and Puget Sound Energy for discounted LEDs.
2. If you have fluorescent tube lighting, replace your T-12s with the thinner and more efficient T-8s. Today you can also replace fluorescent tubes with LED tube lights. Much more efficient and longer lasting.
3. Weigh how much lighting is needed. Is natural light enough is some areas? Would task lighting work better than general lighting?
4. Install occupancy sensors in those rooms that are often unoccupied, like restrooms, hallways, and storage rooms. Remember, to work the sensors can’t be blocked from occupants.
5. Turn off equipment and chargers. Many pieces of office equipment consume energy while standing idle. Same thing for chargers for phones and tablets. Use power strips and turn them off when the office closes for the night. These phantom loads add up.
6. When it’s time to replace a desktop computer, consider a laptop. Today’s laptops are powerful, flexible, and draw less power.
7. Install a programmable thermostat that automatically turns down the heat when the business is closed.
8. Whenever possible, buy Energy Star qualified equipment and compare estimate costs when choosing a particular item.
These are just the beginning. When we find innovative energy saving tips with send them along. Good luck in your business venture and in energy management.
