Simple Tricks To Lower Your Company’s Energy Bill

Shut Down at Night

Between air conditioning, lighting, and electronics, energy bills can start to skyrocket, especially in the summer. But with the right tricks up your sleeve, your company can actually reduce its energy costs during the hottest months of the year. Read on to discover our top tips for a smaller energy bill this season.

Think about all the things that get properly shut down when your employees head home. Are you just turning off the lights? What about the computers? And how about the air conditioning?

Depending on your climate, you may be able to drastically reduce your air conditioning bill by turning the air conditioner off at night. Simply designate someone to come in early in the mornings to turn the air on, or invest in a programmable thermostat.

Raise the Thermostat

It may seem smart to turn the air conditioning on full-blast during office hours, but you may be working it too hard. Chances are employees won’t notice a degree or two difference in the thermostat settings. Raising the thermostat by a couple of degrees can make a big difference to your energy expenditure and power bill. How much you change it depends on the temperature difference between the inside air and the outside air. The greater the temperature difference, the more work your air conditioner has to do.

Be sure that you don’t keep heat-producing equipment, such as computers, directly next to the thermostat. It will sense the heat from the device and cause the air conditioner to run longer and cooler than is needed.

Install and Use Ceiling Fans

Ceiling fans are a great way to reduce your air conditioner’s energy expenditure without using much electricity themselves. Ceiling fans create a wind chilling effect to help people cool off. That means you can raise the temperature in the office considerably — about 4 degrees Fahrenheit — without compromising comfort. Not only that, but the fans help improve air circulation. In the summer, the fan blades should be spinning in a counterclockwise direction.

Shade Your Office

There are many factors at play when it comes to your office temperature. If people are always coming and going, the constant opening of doors means cool air is escaping while the warm outside air is coming in. People, lighting, and electronics all contribute heat that raises the temperature in the office. However, one of the big factors at play is the sun. If you can block out some of it, your air conditioning unit won’t have to work as hard to cool the space. Some ideas include installing blinds on your office windows or planting trees on the sides of the building where the sun shines most.

Service Your HVAC

As long as you’re aiming to reduce the work your air conditioner has to do, make it a point to service your HVAC system. Something as simple as changing the filters can help boost the air conditioner’s efficiency so it uses less energy to reach the same temperature in the office. The drain on the unit should also be cleaned and serviced since dirt and moisture can build up in it and leave it clogged. Not only that, but an uncleaned drain can grow mold, which can be hazardous to your employees, partners, and customers. Talk to an experienced HVAC professional to see what you can do this summer to boost your air conditioner’s efficiency.

The vast majority of your summer energy bill comes from your air conditioner. By trying our solutions, you can keep your air conditioner from overworking so you don’t have to pay as much to cool your office.