By Kimberley Wallace-Tastad
Energy is the number two cost for most businesses, behind payroll. As a business owner, you probably already know that…but are you aware that there are a number of techniques you can employ to help reduce your energy costs?
The most important item on your list should be to check with your utility account executive to see what kind of programs you can apply for or what incentives they may have for energy efficiency. Although a lot of information is on utility websites, navigating them can be somewhat confusing, so it’s best to deal directly with your AE, who will know what programs you qualify for and how to go about processing applications, etc. for them.
Many incentive programs exist to encourage business owners to reduce consumption. Think lighting interior and exterior. Are those lights on 24/7? The Center for Sustainable Energy (https://energycenter.org/) has equipment that can be checked out to measure and track your lighting usage. How about that boiler or chiller; is your rooftop package unit always running? Do you have thermostats that employees can freely change based on their comfort? These are huge gas and electricity users.
The CSE also has educational programs for businesses and residential customers to become more knowledgeable about standards and technologies available in the market. This is a resource I use consistently to stay on top of my energy knowledge.
After you know what you want to accomplish, or have a general idea, be selective when you open up your door to vendors trying to sell you energy-saving products or services. It gets very chaotic pretty quickly and a lot of misinformation can be supplied to make a sale.
Take charge of your energy usage; be more aware of what your facility is using and do your part to initiate efforts to reduce. In today’s marketplace, more and more businesses want control over their energy usage. There are many platforms that can help you track your energy use, and plenty of resources available to help steer you in the right direction, so you make decisions that benefit your business and the environment.
Kimberley Wallace-Tastad is an energy industry professional that helps small and large businesses maximize their energy savings. To learn more about her services, visit www.volt-edge.com.
