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December 28, 2019

Energy Savings: 6 Tips From The Saving Pros

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Fora Financial

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If you’re looking for ways to cut down on business expenses, then one of the best places to start is by looking for ways to save on energy. There are many simple energy savings hacks you can incorporate that will reduce your energy costs. 

Why Is It Important To Save Energy?

It’s challenging to work toward a new goal if you don’t have a strong reason for getting started. Otherwise, it’s easy to become overwhelmed and give up before you make any progress. Listed below are a couple of reasons you should consider finding energy savings solutions in 2020. 

Money Back In Your Pocket

If you own a business office, then one of your most unpredictable monthly expenses is probably your energy bill. According to EnergyStar, small businesses in the U.S. spend more than $60 billion per year on energy.  In addition, the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) found that energy expenses are one of the top three costs for 35 percent of all businesses. That’s money that could be going toward other business investments.  Depending on the state you live in, you could qualify for specific tax incentives or rebates. You can check out the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency to learn more about state-funded energy-saving programs and incentives. 

Environmental Stewardship

One of the most significant benefits of energy savings is the environmental impact. When we burn fossil fuels for electricity, we also produce greenhouse gases. These contribute to things like climate change.  By improving your business’ energy efficiency, you’ll reduce your reliance on electricity. Lower energy usage leads to fewer carbon dioxide emissions, which benefits the environment. 

Our 6 Tips For Energy Savings In Your Small Business

If you’ve never looked for ways to cut down on your business’ energy usage before, it can be hard to know where to start. Fortunately, saving money on energy can be simple and straightforward. Let’s look at six practical energy savings tips for your business. 

1. Set Realistic Goals for Energy Savings

You don’t necessarily have to go out and buy a bunch of new products to save on energy. The best place to start is by setting realistic goals for how you can adjust your day-to-day behavior. First, we suggest conducting an energy audit, which will help you determine how much energy your business is currently. Based on this data, you can set goals for how to lower your usage. Contact your local utility company to see if they offer free energy audits. 

2. Make Upgrades To Your HVAC Systems

Without routine maintenance, your HVAC system’s performance will start to decline. Even getting a regular tune-up can help it operate more efficiently and last longer. If your HVAC system is outdated, consider upgrading to an energy-efficient system. Also, you might want to consider upgrading to a smart thermostat. With a smart thermostat, you can automatically lower the temperature on the weekends and during times when your office isn’t in use. 

3. If You Have Options, Compare Costs For Energy Providers

One of the best ways to reduce energy costs is by switching to a more energy-efficient provider. Energy-efficient providers rely on renewable sources of energy, like solar panels and wind farms.  Natural Lightning for Energy Saving

4. Work On Your Eco-Friendly Opportunities

Train yourself to start looking for energy saving opportunities. For instance, consider using a space heater during the winter months instead of cranking up the heat. Similarly, you can use a fan to cool off during the summer. In addition, you should look for ways to get your employees invested in saving energy. Encourage your employees to come up with their own energy savings solutions. Doing this will not only save you money on energy but will also create a better working environment for your employees. 

5. Make Use Of Natural Lighting

If you have a lot of natural light in your office, take advantage of it! Instead of turning on lights in every room, try to make the most of natural light during the daytime hours.  Another way to save energy is to switch from regular light bulbs to LED bulbs can make a big difference. This energy savings calculator will show you how much you could save by switching to LED light bulbs.  

6. If It Isn’t In Use, Turn It Off!

Many people unintentionally waste energy by leaving lights on, running the AC even when no one is in the office, and keeping appliances running. Try to get in the habit of turning appliances off when they aren’t in use.  Turn off the lights when you leave a room and have everyone shut down their PCs at the end of the day. Or, you can connect your computers, printers, and appliance to a power strip. Then by flipping one switch, you can shut everything down at once. 

Our Final Take

If you’re looking for ways to cut costs and improve your business in 2020, consider cutting down on your energy usage. The energy savings tips we outlined in this article will help you save money and will benefit the environment. Remember, cutting down on your energy usage doesn’t have to be complicated. Contact your local utility office and request a free energy audit. Then, come up with an energy savings plan and start looking for simple ways to reduce your energy usage.