Are you searching for ways to reduce your electric costs? If so, use the tips and information here to reduce electric bills now and in the future.
Operating a business is costly enough, so you don't need the added stress of high electric bills hitting your profit and loss reports every month.
Sure, there are plenty of ways you can cut down overhead, but how do you reduce electric bills to a reasonable level?
Read on to learn about some effective ways you can save on energy costs so you can refocus your budget toward more important things.
Programmable Thermostats
You may already have a programmable thermostat at home, but do you have one at your business location? These handy upgrades can make controlling the temperature in your building much easier.
Install a
programmable thermostat
at your place of business and set it to adjust up or down when everyone leaves for the day. Then, shortly before you reopen, set the thermostat to raise or lower the temperature when everyone returns to work.
This simple step will help prevent the HVAC system from running as much when the building isn't occupied. You can even set it to stay lower or higher throughout the weekend if you're only open from Monday through Friday.
Not only will using a programmable thermostat reduce electric bills, but it can also save you on HVAC maintenance costs. The less frequently your system is running, the longer the lifespan of the entire system will be.
Replace Air Filters Regularly
The air filter in your heating and cooling system does more than just keep the air clean. These filters are designed to trap dust and other particles so the air can flow freely throughout the building.
Ideally, you should replace all of your
air filters
once per month. When you do this, it can keep the entire system running smoothly and keep temperatures at the proper level.
A clogged filter can cause serious damage to an HVAC system and can force important components of the system work overtime. Plus, you'll have lower energy costs simply because, with proper airflow, the temps will be more regulated throughout the space.
Want to Reduce Electric Bills? Don't Forget the Water Heater
At home, you use hot water for everything from showering and running loads of laundry to doing dishes. At work, hot water isn't typically utilized nearly as much.
To prevent your water heater from working overtime, lower the pre-set temperature by a few degrees. Odds are that most employees won't even notice.
When you lower the temperature on the water heater, it can reduce the need for energy to be used in order to keep the water flowing at temps that are piping hot. This super-simple step can help you see a slight reduction in your energy bill.
You can even turn the water heater off every weekend, but just make sure you remember to turn it back on when the work week begins again. Even if you don't use hot water as much at work as you do at home, lowering the temperature will save you some cash.
Check For Air Leaks
Perhaps one of the most common ways people end up spending too much money on their energy bills is from leaky windows and doors. When air escapes, it means the interior temperature is never at the proper level.
Check every door and window in your office to make sure that all seals are intact. If you see gaps, install new weatherstripping to keep your facility insulated. You can also
add window tinting
to reduce the effects of sunlight causing indoor temperatures to rise.
You might even want to consider getting a brand-new front door. New, better-insulated doors will not only make your business look nice, but they'll also help you save on lost energy that's literally sneaking out.
Apply a new bead of caulk around old windows to give them new insulation. This step is inexpensive and
costs a lot less than installing new windows. When everything is sealed well, your building can hold temperature levels much more effectively.
Ask About a Prepaid Plan
Many power companies offer their customers a "prepaid plan" or "budget billing" that averages your energy usage over time. The company then takes this average and comes up with a flat rate so you pay the same amount every month.
This is a great option for businesses who don't have the time or resources to constantly monitor things like their electric bill costs. You'll have peace of mind knowing that your bill will always be the same, month after month.
One downside to this type of plan is that the power company will revisit your usage periodically. If the average power usage has gone up, they may raise your "prepaid" bill amount to cover the overages.
You'll still be able to see how much power you use every month when you receive the bill. Use this as a tool to monitor usage to ensure that you're staying within the proper parameters. This type of billing is a great way to keep your costs in check and reduce your stress levels.
Energy Savings Made Easy
With these helpful tips, you can easily reduce electric bills at your business to help you save money. Install a programmable thermostat to keep your HVAC system from working too hard when it doesn't need to.
Check your office for any air leaks and add new insulation to keep your facility at a comfortable temperature. With a few simple tweaks, your electric bill should start to lower.
For all your residential and commercial window tinting needs, visit our website and
contact us
today for a free estimate.