5 Energy Saving Tips for Your Business
By Andrew Patricio
April 08, 2015
Workspace Optimization
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By Stefanie Neyland, Content Developer at BizLaunch Media Inc.
Today we use more electricity than ever before. We enjoy the benefits of modern-day appliances and technology designed to make our lives easier, but oftentimes convenience comes at a cost.
As a business owner, you’re likely always looking for cost saving opportunities and ways to improve efficiencies and reduce operating costs. The good news is that there are several simple steps you can take to become more energy efficient entrepreneur—and they begin at the office.
By taking small strides towards greater energy conservation, your business will be helping to reduce the nation’s demand for the resources needed to produce energy, and not to mention helping your bottom line. Here are five simple steps to running a “greener” business.
By using energy at times when electricity prices are lower, you will be able to better manage your energy costs. Most provinces have introduced time-of-use pricing to reflect the costs of producing electricity at different times of the day. There are typically three time-of-use periods: off-peak, mid-peak and on-peak. In winter, electricity is on-peak twice daily—when people wake up in the morning, and when they arrive home from work. During the summertime, electricity is on-peak in the afternoon when air conditioning units are running on high. No matter the time of year, electricity prices are off-peak or at their lowest overnight, on weekends and on statutory holidays.
Many items commonly found in the average Canadian office—think computers, printers and cell phone chargers—draw “phantom power”. This means that even when appliances and electronics are plugged in but switched off, they are still consuming electricity. These items can account for up to 15% of your electricity use, or as much as $100 on the average hydro bill annually. The easiest way to stop phantom power is simply to unplug devices in your office when they are not in use. If this isn’t practical, consider grouping appliances on an auto on-off power bar. Programming the power bar to automatically turn off overnight or when devices aren’t being used can help you better manage your energy costs.
A quick and easy way to reduce hydro costs is to re-evaluate the way you light your office. Compared to traditional incandescents, energy efficient light bulbs such as light emitting diodes (LEDs) can use up to to 80% less energy, and can last up to 25 times longer. While the initial price of an energy-efficient bulb may be higher, newer bulbs cost less to operate, saving you money over the lifetime of the bulb. Additionally, to reduce energy waste, consider options such as task lighting and dimmer switches to apply the right amount of lighting where you need it, or motion sensors that turn indoor or outside lights on and off automatically.
If you’re in the market for a new refrigerator for your office, try to look for the ENERGY STAR® symbol, which means it is at least 15% more energy-efficient than the minimum standard and uses half as much electricity as a fridge that’s 10 years old. You can also improve the energy efficiency of your existing refrigerator by replacing the seal and cleaning its coils and air intake grill.
Did you know that as much as 60% of your annual electricity costs go toward heating and cooling your workspace? To decrease your business’s expenses, it makes sense to look for ways to reduce your usage. Modern heating and cooling system units offer improved reliability, warranty protection and greater energy efficiency.
The saveONenergy program offers incentives for businesses to become more energy efficient. For more information, or to download a free coupon, click here.
Today we use more electricity than ever before. We enjoy the benefits of modern-day appliances and technology designed to make our lives easier, but oftentimes convenience comes at a cost.
As a business owner, you’re likely always looking for cost saving opportunities and ways to improve efficiencies and reduce operating costs. The good news is that there are several simple steps you can take to become more energy efficient entrepreneur—and they begin at the office.
By taking small strides towards greater energy conservation, your business will be helping to reduce the nation’s demand for the resources needed to produce energy, and not to mention helping your bottom line. Here are five simple steps to running a “greener” business.
- Go off-peak
By using energy at times when electricity prices are lower, you will be able to better manage your energy costs. Most provinces have introduced time-of-use pricing to reflect the costs of producing electricity at different times of the day. There are typically three time-of-use periods: off-peak, mid-peak and on-peak. In winter, electricity is on-peak twice daily—when people wake up in the morning, and when they arrive home from work. During the summertime, electricity is on-peak in the afternoon when air conditioning units are running on high. No matter the time of year, electricity prices are off-peak or at their lowest overnight, on weekends and on statutory holidays.
- Identify phantom energy users
Many items commonly found in the average Canadian office—think computers, printers and cell phone chargers—draw “phantom power”. This means that even when appliances and electronics are plugged in but switched off, they are still consuming electricity. These items can account for up to 15% of your electricity use, or as much as $100 on the average hydro bill annually. The easiest way to stop phantom power is simply to unplug devices in your office when they are not in use. If this isn’t practical, consider grouping appliances on an auto on-off power bar. Programming the power bar to automatically turn off overnight or when devices aren’t being used can help you better manage your energy costs.
- Illuminate your workspace economically
A quick and easy way to reduce hydro costs is to re-evaluate the way you light your office. Compared to traditional incandescents, energy efficient light bulbs such as light emitting diodes (LEDs) can use up to to 80% less energy, and can last up to 25 times longer. While the initial price of an energy-efficient bulb may be higher, newer bulbs cost less to operate, saving you money over the lifetime of the bulb. Additionally, to reduce energy waste, consider options such as task lighting and dimmer switches to apply the right amount of lighting where you need it, or motion sensors that turn indoor or outside lights on and off automatically.
- Savings start in the kitchen
If you’re in the market for a new refrigerator for your office, try to look for the ENERGY STAR® symbol, which means it is at least 15% more energy-efficient than the minimum standard and uses half as much electricity as a fridge that’s 10 years old. You can also improve the energy efficiency of your existing refrigerator by replacing the seal and cleaning its coils and air intake grill.
- Hot and cold savings
Did you know that as much as 60% of your annual electricity costs go toward heating and cooling your workspace? To decrease your business’s expenses, it makes sense to look for ways to reduce your usage. Modern heating and cooling system units offer improved reliability, warranty protection and greater energy efficiency.
The saveONenergy program offers incentives for businesses to become more energy efficient. For more information, or to download a free coupon, click here.