Monday, September 7, 2009

Twelve Energy Saving Tips For Your Business

The cost of everything is rising higher than ever before, especially energy costs. Because of this trend, it seems as if everyone is becoming more energy conscious everywhere. Your office space should be on that list, too. Doing a little bit can save a lot of money in the long run. Read these twelve energy saving tips that cam make a big difference in the cost of running your business.

If you are not using it, turn it off.

  1. Although it should be self-evident, however, if everyone turns off the lights as they head out of the door for their lunch hour, the energy saved would be enough to light about 10 million square meters of office space every year.
  2. Computer monitors are responsible for more than a third of your computer's energy consumption. If you aren't using your monitor, put it to sleep. Also, turn your computer off before you leave every day. It costs you nothing, but it will save the company money.
  3. Laptops use about 90% less energy than PCs, so allowing your employees to use laptops is a great energy savings. If you have PCs, then flat panel screens use considerably less energy than ordinary CRT monitors. Also, the bigger the monitor, the more energy it consumes. A 17 inch monitor uses 35% more energy than a 14 inch monitor.
  4. Whenever possible, use sunlight to illuminate work spaces, however, if the sunlight raises the temperature in the room, then close the blinds and turn on the lights because a light bulb uses far less energy than running the air conditioner to compensate for the higher room temperatures. Turn the thermostat up to 78 degrees and allow your employees to wear suitable attire. By raising the thermostat you will save 2% of your energy bill for every degree you raise the temperature.
  5. Replace your incandescent light bulbs with energy efficient compact fluorescent bulbs. The compact fluorescent bulb uses 75% less energy than an incandescent bulb.
  6. An often forgotten energy tip is to clean your lighting fixtures to remove dust grease and other dirt will increase the output on your lights.
  7. Install occupancy sensor room-lighting controls that will turn off your lights or turn them on, depending on whether a person is in the room or not.
  8. Solar window films can save your business between 5 and 10% each year. In addition to saving you money on your cooling costs, it reduces ultraviolet radiation and reduces glare.
  9. If your business has a loading dock, keep the doors closed unless they are needed. This will help prevent the air conditioning from escaping.
  10. Insulate water heaters and supply pipes.
  11. Insulate walls and ceilings whenever possible.
  12. Install Energy Star labeled reflective roofing materials.

For more energy saving tips, visit PWA Engineering at 757/366.5325. PWA are the experts in power, water and air conversation.

Karen Vertigan Pope writes for Ciniva Systems, an award winning Virginia web design company. Ciniva specializes in web design and SEO. Ms. Vertigan Pope is an SEO Specialist with Ciniva. Ciniva Systems is in charge of SEO for PWA Engineering.

No comments: