Everyone is always looking for ways to cut down on expenses, especially business owners. The money your business saves can help increase the profits you make or go towards a passion project. One way your Richmond business can save some money is by becoming more energy-efficient. Read on for our top tips on how you can make your business more energy efficient this year.
Get an Energy Audit
Depending on the size of your business and its needs, consider investing in an energy audit. An audit will compile information based on your business operations’ energy demands, helping you identify areas where you can lower your energy use.
Consult the services of U.S. Electric for an audit if you live in Richmond, VA. Otherwise, consult with a local company. A professional electrician will check for insulation problems, air leaks, and areas to install energy-efficient lighting.
Turn It Off
How many times are the lights left on at your business premises after doors are closed? You’re paying to light up a place that no one is occupying at that particular time.
Engage everyone in making your business more energy efficient by making sure they turn the lights off when they leave a room. Reiterate that turning off the lights when they leave their specific offices is every employee’s responsibility. This small task can make a big difference in spending. But if you don’t want to police your staff about the lights, we can install switches that detect motion and turn off automatically when no one’s in the room.
Switch to LED Lights
Many workplaces still use incandescent light bulbs that need a great deal of power and generate a lot of heat. Replace such bulbs with new energy-efficient light-emitting diodes (LEDs) bulbs. Undoubtedly, these bulbs will save you a significant amount of money each year.
Additionally, LEDs have a longer lifespan and will consume about 80% less energy than incandescent bulbs. They also light up instantly and don’t need any time to “warm-up,” making them a much more convenient option as well. They may cost more upfront, but they will save you money in the long run.
Leverage Natural Light
If you’re lucky enough to have a business space where natural light is abundant,take advantage of this and make use of the light. Natural light not only helps cut down on energy costs but it creates a more productive working environment.
In sunny areas, you may not have to turn on the lights at all or you may be able to dim them. This is known as daylight harvesting, and it’s pretty beneficial. Studies have established that natural light has both physical and psychological benefits for employees.
Server Room and Data Center Cooling
Our team recommends you keep your servers cool for proper functionality. Servers generate a lot of heat, even in office spaces that are average in size. High temperatures and humidity levels can interfere with the operation of data equipment, so finding the right balance is vital.
Luckily, equipment in today’s world can withstand higher moisture and heat levels than it did a few years back, and there are plenty of energy-efficient options that aid in cutting energy usage. Make sure you control the flow of air in your server room or data center to help lower the temperatures and your costs as well.
Update Your Equipment
Is your business still using old equipment such as desktops as your primary computer resource? Consider switching from equipment such as desktops to laptops for your employees. A laptop uses approximately 80% less energy than a desktop. There are other office electronics that have more energy-efficient options now as well, such as printers and laminators.
If you’re looking to make your Richmond business more energy efficient this year, let the professional electricians at U.S Electric help cut down on your electricity use!