25 Energy Money Saving Tips For Businesses

When you are operating a business, controlling costs is always a primary concern. Business owners want to increase efficiencies and reduce operating expenses wherever and whenever possible. But they also have complex agendas to juggle and tight deadlines to meet. That leaves precious little time to search for new ways to save. These 25 energy money saving tips contain proven practices that are  helping small and medium-sized businesses in California save both energy and money.

Turn off equipment when not in use.

During the course of a busy day, it’s easy to get distracted and keep  equipment running longer than necessary. So encourage everyone  to power down when equipment is not in use.

In addition, many types of equipment can unknowingly use energy. That’s why it pays  to install PC power management software solutions. Here are some of the benefits:

• Cut electricity use to save $25 to $75 per PC annually
• Reduce office cooling loads to save an additional $10 to $25 or more
• Enhance data security
• Improve productivity by eliminating the daily computer boot-up wait time

Businesses that implement a PC power management solution can receive a rebate from PG&E of $15 per plug load occupancy sensor installed and a rebate of $15 per  computer for those who install networked PC power management software.

 

“Turning off equipment  reduces unnecessary  power drain and is a no-cost step to  reduce energy use  and lower bills.”

 

Set thermostats to save energy without compromising comfort.

Businesses have saved as much as 50% on their energy consumption. Minor adjustments to  thermostat controls and existing equipment can make  all the difference.1

In warm weather months:

• Set thermostats no lower than 78 degrees Fahrenheit during occupied periods
• Keep programmable thermostats set to turn air conditioning on 30 minutes before people arrive and off 30 to 60 minutes before they leave
• Shut off exhaust fans when rooms are unoccupied unless health codes require constant ventilation

During cooler weather periods:

• Set thermostats no higher than 68 degrees Fahrenheit
• Set programmable thermostats to turn the heat on before people arrive and off before they leave

 

 

 

 

 

 

Close curtains, shades and blinds.

Too much sun exposure in the interior  of your facility can make your heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) equipment  work much harder than is necessary. But you and your employees can help  prevent this.

Simply close the curtains, shades and blinds in  your business at night, during unoccupied periods  of the day and on weekends. This will help maintain  comfortable room temperatures and lower your  cooling costs.

This practice can also help you save money during  the winter. By closing curtains, shades and blinds  at night and during unoccupied periods you can  help your building retain heat.

 

Practice regular HVAC maintenance.

Service technicians have a mantra: “Maintenance matters.” That’s particularly true in the case  of your HVAC equipment.

In Northern California during summer peak hours, HVAC units account for between 30% and  70% of the energy that commercial buildings consume.1 It’s also a fact that airflow problems  can reduce an HVAC system’s efficiency by up to 15%.

That’s why it’s smart to:

• Clean evaporator and condenser coils
• Check and adjust refrigerant levels and cleaning blower components

With regard to the heating system, check all gas or oil  connections, gas pressure, burner combustion and  heat exchangers.

 

PG&E’s Commercial HVAC Quality Maintenance Program can reduce a business’s annual operating, service and repair costs by up to $500 per rooftop unit. The program can help your business get a higher level of performance, efficiency and reliability from your HVAC equipment.

 

Clean diffusers and lamps every 6 to 12 months.

Dust can actually add to your energy bills. That’s because it can build up on lighting diffusers and lamps  and reduce the lumen output of your business’s lighting. A smart remedy for this is to clean dusty diffusers and  lamps every 6 to 12 months. This no-cost tip will help increase the lumen output from your lighting fixtures to  improve lighting in your workspace.

 

For even more lighting savings, replace incandescent light lamps with compact fluorescent lamps. You can also  remove excess fluorescent lights and install reflectors to deliver ample illumination with less energy.

 

Change to LED bulbs.

How many employees does it take to change a light bulb? No, it’s not a joke,  and the answer is “too many.”

If your employees are spending valuable time changing burned-out bulbs,  they’re not focused on business. But you can certainly change that.

Here’s why it pays to begin installing light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs:

• ENERGY STAR1 LED light bulbs can last up to 50 times longer than the average incandescent
• LEDs use at least 75% less energy, which leads to lower monthly utility bills for your business

 

Did you know that nearly one out of every three dollars a small business owner spends on energy today is spent on lighting? See all the ways your business can save on energy efficient lighting in the PG&E Lighting Rebate Catalog.

 

Request a no-cost energy assessment from a PG&E energy advisor.

Did you know that your business has an energy specialist on call? It’s true. Your PG&E energy advisor is  a technical specialist who will conduct an assessment to determine your optimal energy savings plan. In the process, your  energy advisor will analyze your business’s current energy use and identify savings opportunities that you can capitalize on.

After the audit, you will have energy information tailored to your business and energy use to help guide your decisions.  To request an audit, contact your PG&E representative or call our Business Customer Service Center at 1-800-468-4743.

 

What areas of your business use the most energy? Find out with an online energy audit inside My Energy. You can get customized savings recommendations tailored to your business.

 

Add weatherstripping around windows and doors.

You can reduce costly drafts at your business by adding weatherstripping, caulking or foam.

First, insulate around windows and doors to reduce drafts. In addition, use caulking to seal ducts, plumbing openings, recessed lighting and any other openings that allow air leaks in walls, floors and ceilings.

Here’s another important point: Choose a type of weatherstripping that will withstand the friction, weather, temperature  changes, and wear and tear associated with its location. For example, when applied to a door bottom or threshold,  weatherstripping could drag on carpeting or erode as a result of foot traffic.

 

“The edges of doors and windows are often not sealed well, and this allows unconditioned air to seep into your business or conditioned air to escape.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clear obstructed vents.

Here’s a wise business philosophy:

“Go with the flow.” In other words, don’t  block airflow in your facility with furniture,  paper, tools or equipment. That’s important because blocked vents  require 25% more energy to distribute air.

So assess the area to see that air flowing from the vent  is circulating freely and check any vents on the floor.

In addition, don't keep vents closed in an effort to save  energy. Doing so can actually change the way air is  distributed and cause an imbalance to the operation  of the HVAC system.

Check central heating and cooling duct systems for leaks.

The ducts that circulate the cold and warm air throughout your building appear innocent-looking enough. But watch  out, they can be big energy wasters. Sometimes they are not  sealed properly. Other times they are not insulated well.

That’s why it’s a good idea to hire a contractor to make sure all the ducts that  run throughout your building have duct sealant or metal-backed (foil) tape  over the seams and connections. Then wrap the ducts in insulation.

By doing this, HVAC energy efficiency can be improved by 20% or more.1  In fact, it's now possible for contractors to perform verified duct sealing  using a special fan to test duct system leakage before and after sealing.Create an energy savings plan with My Energy.

The more you know about your business’s energy use, the better you can plan and save. But you don’t have to plan on your own.

PG&E created a highly customized energy management tool for California businesses. It’s called My Energy and it has information to empower your decisions and resources to bring customized savings to your business.

It starts when you set up a My Energy profile. Then you can create a personalized energy savings plan that’s tailored around your business. Now you know where to start your energy savings plan, and you have 25 helpful tips to save  money every day.

 

 

Use automatic daylight dimming  to control lighting levels.

At 26%, electric lighting accounts for the largest percentage of all electricity used in U.S. commercial office buildings.1 Lighting controls can help reduce those costs. One type of energy efficient lighting control is  automatic daylight dimming, or "daylight harvesting.”

A lighting control is installed with a photosensor that measures the amount of illumination in a given  space. Based on this information, the light output is  automatically adjusted to maintain the desired  illumination level.

Areas that benefit most from automatic daylight dimming include corridors, cubicles near windows  and private offices.

 

Many California businesses are exploring lighting controls and occupancy sensors as a mechanism to reduce energy usage. Learn how this money-saving technology can work for you in PG&E’s free Guide to Lighting Controls and Occupancy Sensors.

 

Use time scheduling to turn lights on and off.

Business owners sometimes feel like they work 24/7. However, their actual operations probably follow some consistent hours and energy use patterns. That’s why time scheduling can help businesses save.

How it works:

• Set a control to turn lights on and off at fixed hours for automatic savings
• Use it to reduce lighting levels at preset times to reduce energy costs

Time scheduling also offers you control in case the normal work schedule changes during a busy period.

 

Here’s good news: Upgrading your lighting system  is one of the best energy efficiency measures in terms of payback, ease of implementation and energy savings. To get started, visit pge.com to learn more about lighting upgrades.

Install solar screen shades, awnings, blinds or  reflective window films.

 

 

Windows let us enjoy the scenery. Unfortunately, they also let  in the heat. But there are window treatments to keep the heat  outside where it belongs. Here’s a quick overview.

Solar screen window shades are one of the simplest and most effective window treatments for saving energy.  Consider using dual shades with a highly reflective side for warm weather and a heat-absorbing dark side for  cooler weather.

Window awnings can significantly reduce solar heat gain. They are most effective on south- and west-facing windows.

Window blinds let you adjust the slats to control light and ventilation. If partially  raised, the blinds allow some air and daylight to enter through windows.

High-reflectivity window films help block summer heat gain. They are best  used in climates with long cooling seasons because they also block the sun’s  heat in the winter. Silver, mirror-like films typically are more effective.

Choose ENERGY STAR®-labeled office equipment.

Look around most offices and what do you see? Chances are, there are laptop and desktop computers, copy machines and networking equipment. Did you know that all of this office equipment can offer you opportunities to save?

When it’s time to purchase new equipment, simply look for the ENERGY STAR label. In general, these office products use about half the electricity of standard equipment. Along with saving energy directly, this equipment can reduce air-conditioning loads, noise from fans and transformers, and electromagnetic field emissions from monitors.

For example, on average, displays with the ENERGY STAR label are 25% more energy efficient than standard options.

 

Install occupancy sensors to increase efficiency.

 

Today, occupancy sensors do much more than just turn lights on and off.

Some occupancy sensors detect the space temperature and provide  feedback to the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system. This  means the HVAC can adjust for occupancy and business employees can  see when a conference room is in use or vacant to help with scheduling.

Occupancy sensors that turn lights on and off can also indicate whether there are  people present in work areas. This is critical for workers driving heavy-use vehicles.

What are the best places to install HVAC occupancy sensors in a business? Find out in a recent blog article from the PG&E Business Resource Center.

 

When they enter an area where lights are on, they know to be more aware of others.

For all these reasons, occupancy sensors are a smart money-saver. There are also DVC occupancy sensor rebates available from PG&E.

Use bi-level switching to control lighting output.

Bi-level switching provides business owners and managers simple manual control over lighting levels. This is important because it allows you to control lower overhead lighting levels for computer use, meetings or  tasks that don't require a lot of light.

The way bi-level switching works is simple. In a three-lamp fluorescent fixture, for example, the outer lamps are switched on separately from the middle lamp. Employees can switch on one, two or all three lamps based on their needs. This is a win-win because it allows employees to control appropriate lighting levels and the business to save energy and money.

 

Establish task tuning to set lighting levels.

 

Imagine if you could set lighting levels to fit each task. That’s precisely what task tuning does.

Task tuning allows users to set light levels to suit a particular task or workspace. That can result in ongoing savings  because certain workspaces are used sporadically and certain tasks require less illumination.

Setting light levels based on task or work-area productive usage empowers business owners and managers to conserve energy  and allows their employees to remain.

Take advantage of rebates from PG&E.

 

California businesses are serious about saving money. PG&E is serious about energy efficiency.

That’s a very productive formula, because it has led to rebates for businesses ranging from biotech and builders to hospitals and offices.

Rebates are money that you receive after your business has upgraded to new, energy-saving products. Visit the rebates page on pge.com for rebates on:

• Lighting
• Refrigeration
• HVAC 
• Food service equipment
• Boilers and water heating
• Business equipment

 

Power your business’s future with solar energy.

Many business owners are compelled by the possibilities of  “going solar,” but they still have questions about its functionality.  If you’re in that camp, this tip is for you.

Solar photovoltaic systems capture sunlight and convert it into electricity. Solar photovoltaic systems are composed of  individual solar cells configured onto a solar panel or module. The cell absorbs the sunlight’s energy and produces a  flow of electrons, known as direct current (DC) electricity.

Because machinery operates on alternating current (AC), a device called an inverter converts the DC electricity to the  AC power necessary to power your business.

Photovoltaic cells work any time the sun shines and will produce more electricity  when sunlight strikes the PV modules directly rather than at an angle.

 

PG&E has helped customers connect more solar systems than any other utility in the country.

 

Another way that solar is working to power  the future is with solar water heating.

Solar water heating systems are reliable and can last up  to 20-25 years. In addition, if installed properly, they  require very little maintenance.

On average, if a business installs a solar water heater,  its cost to heat water is reduced by 50% to 80%1 and the  payback can be as little as a couple years.

The cost of the system and how much a business can  save depend on several factors, including the following:

• The amount of hot water the business uses
• The type and size of the solar water heating system
• The business's geographic location and ability to capture the sun

 

Use the Automated Demand Response Program from PG&E.

The Automated Demand Response Program allows businesses to earn incentives by agreeing  to reduce light consumption during demand response events. The program also provides technical assistance for customers investing in energy management technologies that also enable them to perform demand response.

Customers who sign up to participate in Automated Demand Response will receive automated event signals from  PG&E. These signals will be sought out by a technical solution on site that initiates pre-programmed strategies.

The Automated Demand Response incentive can make a project more financially viable by offsetting your project cost  and lowering payback time. The incentive can be paid directly to you or assigned to your vendor or contractor.

Additionally, the program provides customers with:

• Assistance identifying load curtailment strategies
• Technical coordination during the equipment installation

To learn more, visit the Automated Demand Response Program page on pge.com.

Install variable frequency drives for HVAC systems.

Heating and cooling are often thought of as “the cost of doing  business.” However, you can realize significant savings from your  HVAC system by installing variable frequency drives.

Here’s how they work: The motors that operate the fans and pumps in your system  typically operate at a constant speed, while your building’s heating and cooling load  varies because of weather, occupancy schedules and other factors. Making fans  and pumps work harder than necessary can be a substantial waste of energy.

Variable frequency drives counter that by enabling HVAC fans to respond more  precisely to a building’s heating and cooling load. This saves significant energy  and increases system performance. It also reduces mechanical stress and can  prolong system life.

Upgrade HVAC and lighting systems.

Sometimes the best ideas require a little nudge to get started.

Consider this a friendly nudge.

HVAC and lighting upgrades can significantly lower monthly utility bills and maintenance costs. These upgrades and retrofits also lead to less energy consumption and can help businesses gain compliance with the newest updates to California’s Title 24 Building Standards Code.

To determine the best option for your business, work with an HVAC contractor. You’ll find more information about choosing a contractor on page 34 of this eBook.

 

There are numerous ways to make HVAC and lighting upgrades more affordable. To learn more, download PG&E’s Insider’s Guide to Financing Energy Efficiency Projects.

 

Use programmable thermostats to control temperatures.

Today’s thermostats are remarkably advanced and effective. For example, thermostats with adaptive recovery abilities constantly measure how much time it takes to heat or cool your business. In this way, they can keep track of seasons, maintain your programmed schedule more closely and maximize savings.

Other thermostats can learn your schedule without being programmed at all, and can make suggestions about how you can save energy. Some newer models can connect to your wireless  Internet, so you can program and adjust your thermostat from your computer.

PG&E offers rebates of $14/ton on eligible programmable 7-day  thermostats.

Update HVAC energy recovery ventilation systems.

“Out with the bad air, in with the good.” That’s an old adage but it also describes one of your smartest energy efficiency options.

Here’s the issue: Exhaust air from inefficient HVAC systems means more energy is required to heat or cool incoming outside air. But you can help prevent that with energy recovery ventilation.

Energy recovery ventilation systems condition incoming fresh air by using reclaimed waste energy from the exhaust air stream. They work with your heating, ventilation and air conditioning system to lower energy costs and improve indoor air quality.

Now for the best part. Up to 80% of energy can be recovered from exhaust air. That’s why it pays to  ask an HVAC contractor if energy recovery ventilation is right for your business.