How to Pay Less for Energy
Doing your best to conserve energy can add value to your bottom line. By following a handful of tips and possibly undertaking a few minor renovations, significant energy and dollar savings can be a reward for small businesses. Consider the following proposals by the government-backed program launched by Energy Star:
- Turn off lights and equipment when they're not in use. Seems obvious, but many businesses don't follow this simple rule. By installing movement sensors that turn off lights after a certain amount of time, one can cheaply automate this function.
- Adjust lighting to your actual needs. This means turning off or dimming your lights when daylight is adequate. Overlighting an area can cause computer screen glare, eyestrain, and headaches. Too much light, just like too little light, can affect visual quality and costs more money.
- Tune up your HVAC (heating/ventilation/air-conditioning) system. Machines decline in performance without regular maintenance. The cost of a tune-up is less expensive in the long run than running a broken down machine. Further, routinely clean or change HVAC filters, which cost about $2–$3 apiece. Dirty filters can cost up to $5 a month extra, overwork the equipment, and result in dirtier indoor air.
- Use fans. Moving air can make even higher temperatures and humidity levels feel comfortable. Fans can help delay or reduce the need for air-conditioning, and each degree higher on the thermostat constitutes a 3% savings on cooling costs.
This is only a brief overview of the money-saving proposals at your disposal. For more small business tips, visit www.energystar.gov/smallbiz.
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