Switch Off High Energy Costs This Summer With These 10 Power-Saving Strategies for Your Business

Energy costs represent a considerable but easily overlooked portion of a business’s ongoing expenses. While things like labor and material costs may draw more attention, it’s important not to overlook savings opportunities in this area, too. That’s especially true during the summer when it’s easier for electricity bills to spike.

Thankfully, there are many ways to reduce energy consumption. Here are 10 of the best strategies to try this summer.

1. Perform an Energy Audit

The first step for business owners should be to perform an energy audit. While these inspections don’t reduce power usage themselves, they reveal a building’s biggest inefficiencies. Determining the best strategy from there becomes much simpler with this information in hand.

Auditors come in many forms, with varying services and costs. Consequently, it’s important to compare available options to find the most cost-effective solution for a business’s unique needs. Energy audits also typically require at least 12 months of utility data, so prepare these records ahead of time.

Many companies also review supplier rates during this process by consulting platforms like Utility Bidder, which can help businesses evaluate competitive energy pricing while planning efficiency improvements.

2. Service HVAC Systems

Heating and cooling systems are the most common culprits of high electric bills. HVAC accounts for 38% of total building energy consumption, more than any other end use. Given how power-hungry these systems can be, servicing them can reap significant cost savings in the long term.

Some buildings may only require minor changes, such as replacing air filters to allow easier airflow through an AC unit. Businesses with older HVAC systems may need to hire a technician to inspect, maintain or upgrade their heater or AC. While these services may be expensive, they pay for themselves over time through lower ongoing costs.

3. Use a Smart Thermostat

Another HVAC-related power-saving strategy is to switch to a smart thermostat. These devices monitor temperatures and other conditions in real time, allowing them to adapt to changing situations automatically. These automatic adjustments mean they maintain ideal temperatures while consuming as little power as possible.

The Department of Energy claims these devices reduce annual cooling bills by 8% on average. That may not seem like much, but it can add up to considerable savings in the context of an entire office. It’s also a significant jump compared to how affordable an investment smart thermostats are.

4. Address Insulation

Business owners can also address HVAC energy costs in less direct ways. One of the most impactful is to ensure the building is well-insulated. Improper insulation will let cold air out and hot air in, making the AC work overtime to maintain ideal temperatures, so filling these gaps can make a big difference.

Start by checking the HVAC system for leaks and sealing the ductwork if necessary. Then, inspect windows and doors for gaps. Sealing these is often as easy as placing caulk or weatherstripping tape.

5. Install Shades

Keeping excess sunlight out of the building has a similar impact. While letting natural light in can reduce lighting-related energy, the intense summer sun can raise temperatures near windows above what they should be. Installing shades is a relatively easy but effective fix.

Aluminum sunshades can reduce solar heat gain by up to 65% in some cases. South- and west-facing windows benefit the most, as they receive more sunlight during summer.

6. Switch to More Efficient Appliances

Another way to reduce energy costs is to swap old appliances for newer, more efficient alternatives. Given the high upfront costs, this isn’t always an ideal strategy, but if businesses need new equipment soon anyway, they should look for high-efficiency options.

Any new model will save energy over older technology, but some options are more efficient than others. Businesses should look for appliances with Energy Star ratings wherever possible, as these labels guarantee efficiency. Companies can also spread out the costs by replacing the least efficient machine first before considering other upgrades.

7. Embrace Flexible Work Arrangements

A less obvious strategy is to embrace remote or hybrid working arrangements. Flexible work leads to fewer employees in the building at any given time, which reduces power consumption from computers, lights and other electronics. It also means using more efficient laptops instead of desktop computers.

Businesses should provide resources to outline healthy remote work habits to ensure this strategy doesn’t sacrifice employee comfort, engagement or well-being. For example, employees should be encouraged to take regular breaks and protect their eyes from excessive screen use. It’s also important to review cybersecurity measures, as bring-your-own-device policies, while energy-efficient, can pose unique risks.

8. Unplug Unused Electronics

Businesses reducing the number of electronics they need running at any given time should unplug those not in use. Some devices and appliances still draw power when not on — a phenomenon known as “phantom” or “vampire” energy. As much as 10% of a building’s power costs can come from this waste.

Mission-critical equipment should remain plugged in at all times to prevent costly outages. However, it’s best to unplug smaller, less vital electronics when not in use. Using smart power strips to automatically shut off at the end of the workday can help, too.

9. Don’t Overlook Water Usage

HVAC and computer systems may get the most attention, but a business’s water consumption is also worth considering. Heating water and moving it through the pipes takes a lot of power, so reducing usage can yield significant savings.

The first step in this strategy is to check for and fix leaks. Servicing the building’s water heater will also help. Beyond that, businesses should instruct their employees to be mindful about hot water usage and encourage them to run appliances like dishwashers on a lower temperature setting.

10. Consider Solar Power

A more extreme but effective power-saving measure is to switch to renewable energy. Installing solar panels is expensive, but it can lead to long-term savings by reducing the amount of electricity businesses must draw from the grid.

Solar panels take an average of six to 10 years to produce a positive return on investment, so this strategy isn’t viable for every business. Those in areas with lots of direct sunlight and plenty of roof space for solar panels will benefit the most.

Take Your Energy Costs Into Your Own Hands

Energy costs often rise in the summer, even in highly efficient businesses, because of spikes in demand. However, these increases are manageable if leaders know how to reduce power consumption during these peak seasons.

These 10 strategies aren’t the only ways to reduce energy costs but are among the most effective. Combine multiple steps to achieve the highest possible level of savings and prepare for a more efficient summer today.