The holidays are over and the new year has begun. In 2021, you might want to lose weight, volunteer more, travel somewhere new, or save money to make a big purchase, but what about professional resolutions specifically geared toward your business? Now is the perfect time to make commitments that will benefit your company, such as decreasing your businesses’ energy bill or setting a goal to use less energy in certain areas of the workplace. Below are a few ways you can make simple changes in order to see results in savings and even increased profits!
Lighting
On average, about 20 percent of your energy bill is lighting. Making the switch to LEDs can help increase the savings in your bill. LED lighting uses up 90 percent less energy and lasts up to 25x longer than most incandescent lighting. Not to mention, LED lighting produces virtually no heat and produces optimal light color for any environment from parking lots to high-end showrooms.
Sensors are a great way to potentially cut energy consumption by reducing the operating time and output of lighting systems. Installing occupancy sensors will keep you or your team from forgetting to turn off the lights in an infrequently visited room or at the end of the day.
You could also incorporate daylighting systems into your business. These use natural lighting to supplement electric lighting and offer the potential to cut energy use, reduce peak demand, and create a more desirable indoor environment. However, careful planning and installation are required to achieve an effective daylighting system.
Heating and Cooling
In a typical office building, lighting, heating, and cooling represent nearly 70 percent of total energy use, making those systems the best targets for energy savings. However, certain systems like HVAC, cannot be turned off entirely but can be turned down to save energy. If your office is closed for a holiday break, turn the temperature down. You may even be able to program your thermostat to do it automatically.
When you’re in the office, keep the blinds or shades open in order to let the sun’s rays in for added heat. Check your insulation and fix or replace any that is missing or damaged. Don’t forget to change the filters to ensure clean, quality air which can lead to more productive employees. Lastly, you’ll want to check on all seals around windows or doors and make repairs as soon as possible if there are gaps.
Appliances
Many offices have a variety of kitchen appliances, such as refrigerators and dishwashers. ENERGY STAR®-certified appliances incorporate advanced technologies that use 10 to 50 percent less energy and water than standard models. Start the year by choosing efficient appliances and use them wisely to save your business energy, time, and money while keeping your appliances running at peak efficiency.
For more information on how to save money and energy in your business check out DTE’s Ways to Save.
Originally published Jan 2, 2018; revised Jan 2021.