Lighting A Quick Source of Energy Savings for Small Businesses

Thomasnet.com recently published the following article on Energy Saving Tips for Small Businesses. Like many experts they have identified lighting as an easy and first step towards reducing energy costs. For more information please visit their website www.thomasnet.com

Most small businesses, whether operated from home or elsewhere, have energy expenses. Here are some practical steps for small businesses looking to minimize those costs and become more energy efficient.

Whether you own or lease your building, you typically need lighting, heating, air conditioning, power for office equipment and other services to stay in business. Yet these functions consume a lot of energy, which can be costly.

Virtually any small business can improve its energy efficiency easily and cost-effectively. There are many simple, reliable steps that small business owners can take. Here are a few.

1. Get a free energy audit. Many electric companies offer a free energy audit program to ensure a business is using its energy efficiently. Ask your utility company if it offers a free or inexpensive energy audit and/or rebates for energy-efficiency upgrades. Invite contractors to your facility to suggest upgrades and provide free estimates. Small manufacturers should check out Industrial Assessment Centers, which provide eligible small and midsized manufacturers with no-cost energy assessments, and the Manufacturing Extension Partnership, which provides customized technical assistance programs to manufacturers in the areas of process improvement, supply chain management and business operations (programs include assistance with implementing energy-saving measures in the manufacturing process).

2. Look at lighting. On average, the commercial sector uses about 60 percent of its electricity for lighting. Wherever possible, replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent lamps, as these cost about 75 percent less to operate and last about 10 times longer. Retrofit T12 lights with magnetic ballasts to T8 lights with electronic ballasts. Install a motion-detecting light switch in unoccupied rooms such as the bathroom. Consider painting workplace walls a lighter color; light walls reflect light instead of absorbing it, so less lighting will be needed to make the room seem bright.

3. Invest in inexpensive technology to reduce energy waste. Use your computer as a fax machine — all you need is a printer and a scanner. Use efficient powerstrips for your electronic devices like the coffee pot in the breakroom. An energy-efficient microwave might cost more now, but it'll save you money over years of use. Buy recycled printer cartridges. Install timers to ensure that devices are powered only when necessary. Use light-emitting diode (LED) exit signs.

4. Hone in on HVAC. Tune up your heating, ventilating and air-conditioning (HVAC) system with an annual maintenance contract. Set thermostats at 78 degrees for cooling in the summer and 68 degrees for heating in the winter. Install setback-programmable thermostats to maximize efficiency. Change (or clean, if reusable) HVAC filters every month during peak cooling or heating season, as new filters usually only cost a few dollars. Install blinds or solar screen shades, and use reflective window film or awnings on all south-facing windows. Use fans and keep exterior doors closed while running your HVAC. Plug leaks with weather stripping and caulking. Use ceiling and wall insulation, and, in addition to fixing water leaks (especially when they involve hot water), insulate water heaters and supply pipes.

5. Establish energy-efficient standard practices. Turn off all office equipment (including lights) at the end of every workday and before weekends. High utility costs often include paying for energy that is wasted by equipment left on for long periods while not in use. "The more energy efficient tasks you can include in such a routine, the more you'll save," Trent Hamm, author of finance blog The Simple Dollar, writes at American Express OPEN Forum.

If resources permit, undertaking a comprehensive energy efficiency program, with the assistance of outside help if necessary, can yield significant savings. While small businesses consider such a program, however, the practical actions listed above can contribute to energy savings in the meantime.

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