Quick Tips

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Quick Tips
Quick Tips

It's easy to keep your business saving money. The following tips will tell you how to keep your business conserving energy without using much of your own.

Go to:
Air Conditioning
  • Clean or replace your air filters on a monthly basis. A dirty filter can raise your cooling and heating costs by as much as 10%. Read related info
  • Tune up your cooling system annually. Annual tune-ups can save your business more than 10% off cooling costs, as well as prolong the life of your equipment.
  • If your air conditioner is more than 15 years old, replace it with a high-efficiency unit. High-efficiency air conditioning can save up to 40% off your cooling costs.
  • Save energy by turning up your thermostat and turning on a fan. A fan costs about a penny an hour to operate and creates a wind-chill effect, making you feel cooler.
  • Apply solar screens or reflective film to windows on the West and East sides of your business facility. This can reduce cooling costs up to $11 per year for each 3’ x 6’ window and make rooms more comfortable. Read related info
  • Install a programmable thermostat. A properly programmed thermostat can save up to 15% off your heating and cooling costs.
  • Use the auto fan setting on your thermostat. By leaving your thermostat in the “on” position, your electric usage will increase and you will gain no benefit.
  • Turn off or reduce the setting of your air conditioning in unoccupied areas. This can reduce your cooling costs with no impact to your business.

 

Electrical Appliances/Equipment
  • Replace refrigerators older than 15 years with one that is Energy Star rated by the EPA. A new Energy Star refrigerator can save up to 50% off your refrigerator’s energy usage.
  • Put your computers on power save mode. Save on your cooling costs and the cost to operate computer equipment. Read related info
  • Stagger equipment startup to reduce overall energy costs. Spikes in energy demand increase costs. Staggering equipment startup will level your demand and control costs.

 

Heating
  • Tune up your heating system annually. Annual heating tune-ups can enhance efficiency, but more importantly, protect the safety of your business facility. Read related info

 

Insulation
  • Check your attic or ceiling insulation and, if necessary, upgrade to a minimum of R-38. Without proper insulation, your business facility can lose up to 40% of its conditioned air and heat. Read related info
  • Plug air leaks with weather stripping and caulking. This will enhance comfort and reduce heating and cooling costs in your business facility. Read related info

 

Lighting
  • Replace inefficient lighting such as incandescent lights with compact fluorescent bulbs that use 1/3 of the electricity and generate less heat. Efficient lighting can reduce your cooling costs and the cost to operate the lighting equipment. Read related info
  • Install LED (light-emitting diode) exit signs. LED lights can save you approximately $22 per year per lamp on energy usage. The extended life also will help save on operation and maintenance costs. Read related info
  • Replace lighting switches with occupancy sensors. This can reduce lighting and cooling costs. Read related info

 

Cool Globes®
Learn how you can help combat global warming at this fun, creative exhibit sponsored by Reliant Energy.
Light up the season
Reduce your lighting load with holiday lighting efficiency tips.
Quick Tips
Quick Tips

It's easy to keep your business saving money. The following tips will tell you how to keep your business conserving energy without using much of your own.

Go to:
Air Conditioning
  • Clean or replace your air filters on a monthly basis. A dirty filter can raise your cooling and heating costs by as much as 10%. Read related info
  • Tune up your cooling system annually. Annual tune-ups can save your business more than 10% off cooling costs, as well as prolong the life of your equipment.
  • If your air conditioner is more than 15 years old, replace it with a high-efficiency unit. High-efficiency air conditioning can save up to 40% off your cooling costs.
  • Save energy by turning up your thermostat and turning on a fan. A fan costs about a penny an hour to operate and creates a wind-chill effect, making you feel cooler.
  • Apply solar screens or reflective film to windows on the West and East sides of your business facility. This can reduce cooling costs up to $11 per year for each 3’ x 6’ window and make rooms more comfortable. Read related info
  • Install a programmable thermostat. A properly programmed thermostat can save up to 15% off your heating and cooling costs.
  • Use the auto fan setting on your thermostat. By leaving your thermostat in the “on” position, your electric usage will increase and you will gain no benefit.
  • Turn off or reduce the setting of your air conditioning in unoccupied areas. This can reduce your cooling costs with no impact to your business.

 

Electrical Appliances/Equipment
  • Replace refrigerators older than 15 years with one that is Energy Star rated by the EPA. A new Energy Star refrigerator can save up to 50% off your refrigerator’s energy usage.
  • Put your computers on power save mode. Save on your cooling costs and the cost to operate computer equipment. Read related info
  • Stagger equipment startup to reduce overall energy costs. Spikes in energy demand increase costs. Staggering equipment startup will level your demand and control costs.

 

Heating
  • Tune up your heating system annually. Annual heating tune-ups can enhance efficiency, but more importantly, protect the safety of your business facility. Read related info

 

Insulation
  • Check your attic or ceiling insulation and, if necessary, upgrade to a minimum of R-38. Without proper insulation, your business facility can lose up to 40% of its conditioned air and heat. Read related info
  • Plug air leaks with weather stripping and caulking. This will enhance comfort and reduce heating and cooling costs in your business facility. Read related info

 

Lighting
  • Replace inefficient lighting such as incandescent lights with compact fluorescent bulbs that use 1/3 of the electricity and generate less heat. Efficient lighting can reduce your cooling costs and the cost to operate the lighting equipment. Read related info
  • Install LED (light-emitting diode) exit signs. LED lights can save you approximately $22 per year per lamp on energy usage. The extended life also will help save on operation and maintenance costs. Read related info
  • Replace lighting switches with occupancy sensors. This can reduce lighting and cooling costs. Read related info

 

Cool Globes®
Learn how you can help combat global warming at this fun, creative exhibit sponsored by Reliant Energy.
Light up the season
Reduce your lighting load with holiday lighting efficiency tips.
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