guest post by Chloe Taylor

Being energy efficient is important for any business these days. Maintaining maximum productivity without increasing emissions is a challenge; however not all companies manage to find optimal solutions. Here are some tested and proven ways to increase energy efficiency in a commercial environment.

Prevent passive energy leaks

At the end of each day, you should check if the equipment is turned off and unplugged. Not many business managers are aware that factories, offices, and storage facilities can waste large amounts of energy just by leaving the machinery on standby. Many modern machines have a power-saving mode, but in off-hours, there’s no point leaving them so. Maximize your energy savings by unplugging the equipment completely, or better still, by turning off the entire line at the main switchboard.

Schedule an energy audit

Make your business space more energy efficient

Whatever your line of business, no one likes the word “audit”, but they are necessary if you want to cut costs and see where you can make even more savings. Depending on your location, your utility company may have a free energy audit program for businesses that can help you discover where your money is leaking. Energy providers are interested in keeping you happy so you can continue buying energy from them, so if available, take their offer and make your business more energy-tight with an energy audit.

Use more natural light

Natural sunlight not only saves electricity but also creates a healthier, happier and more productive environment. Whenever natural light is available, switch off the electric lights or at least dim those you can’t do without. You can also use window filters and tints that allow sufficient light but without harsh light and glare. Consider other daylight harvesting options, like skylights that maximize available daylight at the expense of artificial light. There are many studies that show that working in natural light has both physical and psychological benefits.

Install a programmable thermostat

Ask the property manager or building technician about the way air conditioning and heating are regulated in your building. If it’s not a constant-flow system of centrally-controlled HVAC, install a programmable thermostat as soon as possible. It takes a few minutes to set the schedule for the entire week, so it matches with your operating hours, with a 30 to 60-minute buffer to cover early arrivers and late leavers. Newer generations of smart thermostats can even learn your heating/cooling patterns and can be controlled via a smartphone app.

Invest in LED light fixtures

It’s estimated that in an average office, lighting takes up 40% of all energy use. When compared to traditional incandescent bulbs, LEDs are up to 80-90% more energy-efficient, while in the department of light output quality, they outmatch both incandescent and compact fluorescent lights. Due to their reliability and excellent luminous flux, recessed LED fixtures have become a standard in medical facilities, so many prestigious hospitals, surgeries, and laboratories are investing in medical luminaires, as they are recognizing their great optical properties and the ROI that comes from the quality of craftsmanship and low-power requirements. These LED fixtures are ideal for many other commercial applications where high hygiene standards and reliability of installed equipment is important.

Optimize heating and cooling equipment

Outdated heating and cooling equipment can drain energy simply because it consumes more than HVAC systems that are installed today. If you need to replace a unit, make sure to pick a high-efficiency model. However, if your budget doesn’t allow for replacements, at least make sure the existing system is maintained. This includes cleaning and replacing filters regularly, as well as keeping evaporators, coils, and condensers free of dust. If there are any leaks in the ducts, pipe fittings or junctions, have them fixed.

Look for EnergyStar label

Conceived by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and the DOE (Department of Energy), this program is aimed at helping citizens and businesses to reduce their carbon footprint by increasing energy-efficiency. Products with the EnergyStar label are among the best-performing product available in both commercial and household niche, so this label guarantees you’re buying an energy-saving product.

Choose laptops over desktops

As the day when you need to replace old computers is getting closer, think about purchasing laptops instead of desktops. Laptops use up to 90 percent less energy than their more cumbersome cousins, and your employees will certainly appreciate the benefits of laptops:especially if you combine them with telecommuting or flexible workstation policy.

Although at one point in history it was justified to leave the lights on in the place of business -- even overnight -- for security reasons or just in case, the cost of energy has increased a lot since those days. Even with energy costs rising at alarming rates, many businesses don’t realize how little is needed to reset those expenses and, at the same time, help the environment recover.

And speaking of security, installing a security system can make your business more environmentally friendly, too. Installing a smart home system, or a security system that uses renewable energy, can improve the energy efficiency of your space. Companies like Vivint price their systems competitively and with your customized needs in mind, so don’t discount the value of making this kind of investment for your business.

Chloe Taylor is a graduated journalist from Adelaide who loves exploring everything related to decor, aesthetic and organizing. She is also very passionate about sustainability and enjoys writing about it. Her biggest dream is to travel the whole world and take some stunning photographs of beautiful places. Besides all this, she enjoys drinking coffee and reading a beautiful book from time to time.

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