Tips for Cutting Power Bill in Your Business

A business does not solely earn from the sales and income it gets from its products and services.  Another means is to trim the fat, and shave some of your overhead expenses including cutting power bill.  A simple but excellent way of improving the profitability of a business is through reducing the power usage.  Energy and power usage is a vital component that enables businesses to run smoothly and productively.  However, it does not mean that maximum usage is necessary.  Try assessing the needs of both your employees and customers when it comes to providing quality and standard energy.  From there on, you can develop a plan that will help you reduce and cut costs.  Quick power saving techniques that help in decreasing utility bills, subsiding carbon pollution and conserving energy are prolific ways of generating income and creating a business that is wholesome and well-blended.

Here are easy but great tips to reduce power usage, cutting power bill and eventually increase profit in your business:

• Keep control and update your heating and cooling

The simple act of setting the temperature of both the heating and cooling systems even by one degree change can bring a lot of difference.  On sunny days, you can turn off the heater and open the curtains and blinds instead.  Placing the thermostats away from direct sunlight guarantees that they give out accurate information.  A one-degree cut on heating temperature during winter can help save up to 8 percent of the heating bill while a one-degree increase in air condition temperature can help save up to 10 percent on warmer days.  In addition, make sure that your heating and cooling systems are still working on maximum efficiency.  If they are not, chances are, you are consuming a lot of unnecessary power and wasting big amount of money.  A properly maintained heating and cooling system can help save energy and running expenses.  Heaters and air conditioners that are more than 10 years old should be replaced to save up to 40 percent of the annual cooling and heating energy costs.

• Lessen Use of Artificial Lighting and Replace Artificial Lights with Efficient Alternatives

Change your current lighting system to a more efficient one where you can get substantial savings such as installation of occupancy and daylight sensors for automatic turning on and off of the lights.  Some larger supermarkets are doing this already; so that the freezer lights are off until a customer comes into range. Make sure to clean your windows and skylights so there is no need for thoroughgoing use of artificial lighting.  Label the switches so employees will know which ones they will need to turn on.  Lastly, make sure that all lights are turned off at the end of the day.

• Turn Off Equipment When Not in Use

Make it a habit to turn off equipment when they are no longer in use.  Items such as computers and printers that are left switched on can cost over $200 a year.  Unplug unused equipment and tools such as printers, scanners, vending machines, microwaves and air conditioners during weekends and holidays.  Put computers and laptops into hibernation mode to save your work but reduce power usage as well.

• Invest in Energy Efficient Devices

Energy efficient devices might require expensive upfront costs but in the long run, they are going to help you save in a lot of money.  Computers, monitors, printers, fax machines and copiers that are ENERGY STAR models have special features that power down automatically after a specific period of idleness.  Inkjet printers also consume lesser energy than laser printers.  Look for programmable thermostat because they have the capability to automatically adjust the temperature of the area when no one is around.  When purchasing new appliances and equipment, look for the energy rating label, more stars mean more energy efficiency.

• Consider Installing Solar Panels

Solar energy is a renewable source aside from being free and clean.  They can have really expensive initial investment cost but can be possibly recovered in years if used in full strength.  They can effectively help reduce monthly power bill.  They also last longer and does not require extreme upkeep methods.

• Avoid Wastage

You may not be aware, but some of you and your employees’ petty habits might be wasting energy in the process.  Do not let the doors and windows open when the heating and air conditioning is running.  Closing doors on both colder days and warmer days can help save up to about 75 percent of the total heat loss.  Making sure that the premises are properly insulated is also a cost-effective way.  In addition, print only when necessary and avoid wasting electricity, paper and toner.

There are so many ways on how to effectively reduce power usage in your business.  Small and big tips equally contribute to decreasing the cost spent on paying for power and energy bills.  If you want your business to be efficient in reducing costs associated to energy consumption, make sure that you appropriately establish energy efficient practices.  Encourage your staff to adapt practices with your initiative but allow them to become part of the brainstorming sessions so they will know how important it is for all of you.  Sometimes, employees have the most innovative and excellent ideas. This will help you create an energy efficient work culture in your business.  Also, take advantage of tax incentives provided by the government whenever you buy energy saving appliances.   Furthermore, hire an energy audit company and let them do energy audit of your office.  You can also hire professional electricians to help you identify areas to trim down energy requirements.  Once you take actions in reducing power usage in your business, you will be able to see immediate changes in the coming months.  At the end of the day, these steps will not only help you save on energy and money but also promote awareness and consciousness about energy issues and uphold healthy environment for you, your staff, and your clients.

Some more useful tips for cutting power bill. Read Upgrading to LED Light Bulbs (and why you should).  Need help? Call me on 0403 026 531.