Institutional Checklists
Business Energy Efficiency Checklist
There are numerous ways to run your business in an energy efficient manner. By taking a few proactive steps, you can do your part to reduce energy consumption and save your business money.
| Lighting | Office Equipment/Appliences |
| Thermostat/Heating and Air Conditioning | Energy Consumption |
- Review your business’ space and reduce lighting where possible by taking advantage of natural light. Dimming lights during the day will lower energy costs.
- Turn off signage and other lights not necessary for security or safety.
- Install occupancy sensors. These devices can reduce lighting costs by up to 40 percent by turning off lights in unoccupied areas of your office.
- Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs). CFLs last up to ten times longer but use up to 75 percent less energy.
- Employ EXIT signs with LED fixtures instead of incandescent lights. This can reduce costs by 95 percent.
Thermostat/Heating and Air Conditioning
- All it takes is a few degrees; regulate your thermostat a couple degrees down in the winter and up in the summer to significantly reduce heating and air conditioning costs.
- Purchase programmable thermostats to automatically control temperature settings on heating and air conditioning equipment.
- Lower the thermostat on your water heater to 120 degrees. Ten degrees can save 5 percent on water heating costs.
- Make sure to purchase ENERGY STAR qualified equipment for heating and cooling your office building. Energy efficient Air-source Heat Pumps and Geothermal Heat Pumps are available for use in your business. You can save between 20 percent and 60 percent in utility costs by using them. Also, ENERGY STAR qualified boilers use about 10 percent less energy than a standard boiler.
- Find a knowledgeable contractor who can help you install ENERGY STAR qualified central air conditioning units in your workplace. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, about one-seventh of all the electricity generated in the nation is used to power building air conditioners, so installing energy efficient systems is critical.
- Ceiling fans are not just for the home anymore. Making sure your offices have energy efficient ceiling fans and lighting units can save your company $15 to $20 per year on your utility bills.
- Power down your office equipment when not in use. You can save almost $80 annually if you turn off just one computer and monitor nightly.
- Cut energy costs by 50 percent by setting computers, copiers, and monitors to sleep mode when not in use.
- If you are looking for new equipment, upgrade to ENERGY STAR. The EPA is set to release a new set of Energy Star guidelines in July 2007 with many recommendations on new products and ideas for businesses.
- Look into buying an all-in-one device for your copying, scanning, and faxing needs. All-in-one devices cost about the same as standard imaging equipment, but use a lot less electricity. ENERGY STAR rated devices are also available.
Understand Your Energy Consumption
- Chances are that a big part of your operating budget is going to paying your energy bills. Conducting an audit of your company’s energy use is important to making sure that costs are not impacting your bottom line.
- Large institutions or businesses should explore their options regarding distributed generation. Microturbines, combustion gas turbines, and fuel cells are all energy efficient distributed generation options that may work for your facility. Make sure you work with an energy expert on identifying options that work for your organization’s energy needs.
- Explore rebate options for upgrading your facility’s energy efficiency at your local utilities. New England’s utilities often offer incentives in the form of rebates for companies to become more energy efficient and will be helpful in navigating through that process.
Helpful Tips & Tools
-
Test Your Energy IQ
Do televisions use electricity when turned off? Take our Energy IQ quiz to find out and learn simple steps to save energy.
-
Online Efficiency Tools
Watch your electricity use decrease and your savings increase with helpful energy efficiency advice, calculators, and resources!
-
Spread the Word
Tell a Friend or Colleague about the Take Charge New England sm campaign.
Events
- Watch here for upcoming events
