Beyond payroll, benefits, and daily fires, there are fixed and variable costs of running a business. While most of the costs can’t be controlled, energy costs can be lowered and adjusted with these tips.
1. Switch to smart lights.
Switching from old incandescent bulbs to smart LED bulbs can save a considerable amount on your electric bill. They can be scheduled to turn on and off automatically or set with motion sensors to turn off when no one is in the office. You can also use light dimmers in conjunction with natural light. Try these energy saving calculators for all your different appliances!
2. Use Smart Thermostats to lower costs.
A study in Oregon found that homes with thermostats averaged 12% savings of electricity used for heating after installing the Nest. The Nest Thermostat learns from your building and figures out how it heats or cools, optimizing the process and costs. Don’t like the cost of a Nest? Here are some alternatives to the Nest Smart Thermostat.
3. Install skylights.
Rooftops windows help change the atmosphere Installing skylights allows you to not only make use of natural light, but bring a bright atmosphere to the office. Natural light helps improve the mood and performance in workplaces. Additionally, the sunlight can help save on energy costs by heating up spaces and be controlled by light filters.
4. ENERGY STAR certified products.
Only buy Energy Star certified products for your business. The Energy Star mark indicates the most efficient product in its category, whether its computers, printers, or any other electronic device.
5. Print double sided
More energy is used in paper manufacturing than the actual printing at your office. Help the environment one page a time!
These are just some of the many ways you can help reduce energy costs in the office. There are plenty of other ways, such as those listed in this great PG&E article. Of course, every office is unique and some ways may not work as well as they might in other offices.
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