It’s tough to run a business during a pandemic. You get fewer customers in your office because they want to stay in. You also need to adjust your services according to social distancing guidelines, which means you’ll need to shift some of your businesses online. And even though you don’t have many customers coming to the door, you still have to keep the lights on until the end of every business day.
Your company earns less than it did before the new normal. However, your expenses seem to be the same as, if not more, than before.
Your business needs to save as much money as it can during these trying times. After all, financial assistance, even from the government, is limited and inconsistent. According to Brookings’s research, some small businesses, especially ones that are unbanked or underbanked, haven’t been able to claim benefits from the paycheck protection program. If you’re going to find ways to be frugal, start with your electricity bill.
Here are ways to save on your energy costs.
Use Efficient Lights and Appliances
New lights and appliances may have a large upfront cost, but they’re definitely worth it if you’re replacing decades-old dinosaurs of equipment. Throughout the years, governments have created strict rules that push companies to create products that are energy efficient. As such, modern appliances like refrigerators now use around 40 percent less energy than older models sold as early as 2001 (Standford Mag).
On the other hand, according to Energy.gov, light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs use 75 percent less energy and last significantly longer than their incandescent counterparts. You could also tap into commercial solar power to make your energy consumption sustainable as it is efficient.
Perform an Energy Audit
First, you need to find areas in your office that cause your operations to waste energy. You can get it done by professionals, but if you don’t have the budget, doing it yourself will do.
Here are the issues you should consider in your assessment.
Air leaks –
It’s the middle of winter, and your heater is working overtime to keep your place of business at a comfortable temperature for employees and customers. Cracks and holes from your building’s exterior that lead into your office can let cold air in (energy.gov).
In turn, your HVAC system needs to work harder than it already does to keep your rooms nice and toasty. Common air leak locations include the edge of your flooring and its baseboard. You should also check gaps where different building materials join together. Your door, window security bars, and window caulking, and weather sealing may also erode and let air in.
Insulation Issues –
If your office building is decades old, it may be prone to insulation issues that the property manager might have missed. Ask if you can check the insulation material surrounding your building or at least your office. If they’re starting to degrade or are being eaten by pests, ask them to get replaced.;
HVAC System Problems –
Your heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system comprises vents, AC systems, and a furnace. These components all work together to keep your rooms at a comfortable temperature. If they’re decades old, they may be inefficient by today’s standards. They could also have hidden problems that drive your energy costs up if the appliances are not regularly serviced. Common issues to look out for include short cycling, which involves the furnace shutting down or restarting before the thermostat reaches its target temperature. You should also watch out for inaccurate readings on your thermostat. Your heater may also give less heat as it degrades because of wear.
Great if you don’t find any obvious issues in your energy audit. But if you do, however, call a professional to fix the issues immediately. Not only do they cause your power consumption to spike, but they could also compromise the safety of people in the office or outright break down when you need them the most.
Automate Your Thermostats
Sometimes, people forget to turn off the AC, even if they’re the last ones out of the office. This can lead to the heating and air conditioning system running even though everyone’s gone home for the night. Use programmable thermostats that go into low-power mode or shut down during specific periods. You could also use smart thermostats to control using your smart devices.
Many businesses have stunted their growths or shut down altogether because of the recent pandemic’s financial repercussions. Continue to operate by saving money where you can. One of the best ways to do so is to lower your utility bills. Use these suggestions to make your operation more energy efficient and save money in the long run.;