If you’re a business owner, energy costs can be one of your biggest expenses. Unnecessary spending on utilities can really add up and put a heavy strain on your budget. And if you’re not careful, it could end up costing more than necessary in the long run because utility companies like to raise prices when they see that people are paying them without hesitation. Here are some ways to save money on utilities as a business owner!
1. Utilize Temperature Controls
You know that feeling when you get home, and it’s super hot or very cold in the house, and no matter how much you turn up the heat or air conditioning, your home is still uncomfortable? Well, your customers probably feel the same way in your office when they come in for a meeting or to work with one of your employees.
There are some great apps out there today that can help reduce utility bills by using technology to monitor energy usage and adjust settings when necessary. For example, you might be able to create an app that only turns on the AC during certain hours of the day.
Most temperature controls are only set at a certain temperature, but if you’re able to go into the building temporarily and adjust the settings so that they’re more comfortable for people when they come in, you can keep them from having to crank up their air conditioning or heating as much. That can save you some money!
2. Utilize LED Lighting Where Possible
Electrical bills are some of your biggest expenses, so you want to avoid wasting energy as much as possible. One way that many companies waste energy, as the team from Electricity Monster suggests, is by leaving lights on when they’re not needed. If you’re able to utilize artificial lighting when it’s appropriate, you can save money in the long run. Most companies don’t realize that there are much more cost-effective options out there besides incandescent lighting these days!
You can save a lot of money by switching to LED lighting, which uses less energy and lasts much longer. If you’re in the market for new lighting, upgrade to LED lights. These types of lights use up less energy and can even be installed with motion sensors so that they only turn on when people are in the room! This will help reduce your utility costs.
3. Invest In Windows That Reduce Heat Waste
If you have single-pane windows in your building, chances are they’re not doing your company any favors when it comes to saving money on energy bills! If you go with double pane windows instead, you can lower your utility costs by a noticeable amount.
This is because the first pane of glass reflects solar heat back into the night sky and reduces the amount of heat that enters your building. It’s an easy way to save money on heating and cooling bills!
4. Install Motion-Sensor Lighting Systems
Another way to save money on your electrical bills is by utilizing motion sensor lighting systems within your building. If you have a warehouse, for example, it might be necessary to have lights on for safety reasons even if no one is there.
But, as discussed previously, incandescent lights are not the most efficient options out there, and they tend to use a ton of energy! By using motion sensor lighting systems inside your warehouse, your employees can save money on their electric bills because the lights will only turn on when someone is in the space.
5. Audit Your Building For Energy Leaks
Something that many companies forget about is checking over their building for any energy leaks that could be preventing their HVAC system from working at full capacity. Most companies have a couple of AC units installed in the building, and when these units aren’t running properly they can end up costing a lot of money on utility bills over time.
If you’re not sure where your air conditioning units are, talk to an HVAC professional and ask them to perform an energy audit on your building. They’ll be able to pinpoint where any leaks might be coming from, which you can then fix up in order to save money!
6. Look For Energy-Efficient Appliances
When you’re investing in appliances that use up tons of energy, you might want to consider how much it’s going to cost you in the long run. For example, you might be tempted to get a really fancy dishwasher that cleans your plates using extremely hot water, but if you have a dishwasher that uses less electricity and water, it will be cheaper for you in the long run.
It’s always a good idea to have your appliances inspected every year or two because it might be cheaper for you to replace something that is really inefficient than keep spending money on utility bills. It could end up saving you some cash in the long run!
In order to save money on your energy bills as a company owner, it’s important that you take the time to invest in some of these small changes. Whether you’re looking for ways to reduce heating and cooling costs or make sure that your employees are staying safe with motion-sensor lighting systems, there are plenty of practical solutions out there. Take advantage of this article today by learning how you can cut back on utility costs without making many sacrifices!