How a Smart Energy Plan Can Cut Your Business Expenses
Businesses need energy. Whether you rent or if you own your building, you typically need lighting, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), power office equipment and other services. With escalating costs, companies are now going green and saving money and energy. How can you create an effective plan for energy? Here are some ideas.
The utility of your business. Ask them if they offer audits for free or inexpensive energy and / or rebates for energy efficiency improvements. Undertake a comprehensive program of energy efficiency, with professional help if needed, can save impressive. A useful website is the hub of energy, created by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab), a member of the national network of laboratories supported by the U. S. Department of Energy through its Office of Science. Website (http://eetd. LBL. Gov / einfo-links. Html) provides links to dozens of organizations that offer resources for the conservation of energy.
You can fix yourself. There are many performance and high reliability, low risk strategies that you can implement a low cost. Some are very simple, while others may take a few investments.
LIGHTING
• Turn off lights and other appliances when not in use.
• Replace light bulbs with Energy Star compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), if applicable. CFLs cost about 75% less to operate and about 10 times longer.
• Adjust lighting to your actual needs and use daylight.
• Not too bright. “Too much light can be as harmful to the visual quality as too little light, and it costs much more.
• Install occupancy sensors switch plate to turn off lights automatically when rooms are occupied and off when people leave.
• Upgrade lighting units T8 (1 “diameter) tubes with electronic ballast. It is more efficient than older T12 (1st 5-inch diameter) tubes with magnetic reactors.
• Install Energy Star exit signs. These exit signs long term may reduce lamp replacement and can save up to ten dollars per sign per year in electricity costs and save up to 500 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions.
• Purchase ENERGY STAR qualified products for your business. You better computers, printers, copiers, thermostats, ceiling fans, refrigerators, televisions, windows and other equipment and appliances.
WATER
• Repair water leaks. Even small leaks add up to gallons of water wasted each month.
• Use water-saving faucets, showers, toilets and urinals.
• Install an insulation blanket on water heaters, and insulate at least the first three feet in hot water “out” pipe.
• If you buy a new heater, consider a pool of “less” water heaters to reduce preparation costs and waste.
• Adjust the water temperature according to your local board of health code typically between 110 and 120 degrees.
• Landscape plants using at home in your area that require minimal watering and have better resistance to pests. If local code allows, consider diverting greywater for irrigation.
HVAC
• Maintain your plumbing system with an annual maintenance contract. Your system may last years longer and use less energy when properly served.
• Change or clean filters regularly CVC during peak cooling or heating season.
• Determine how much direct sunlight passing through windows depending on the season and local climate. During the cooling season, block heat gain from direct sunlight shining through the window on the south side of the plant. Sunscreens, solar films, and even the old awnings and vegetation can help. During the heating season, the South itself may contribute windows overlooking the solar heat gain during the day.
• Install an Energy Star programmable thermostat to automate your HVAC system. A programmable thermostat can optimize HVAC operation according to your schedule and can be set aside for unforeseen events.
• Use fans. Air movement can help delay or reduce the need for air conditioning and a temperature setting of three to five degrees higher can feel comfortable with fans. Fans can improve comfort and save energy around the year.
• Plug leaks with rubber strips and caulking. You do not have air and heat escaping through your building fleeing.
NEXT STEPS
Green power is electricity produced from renewable resources, including solar, wind, low-impact biomass, geothermal and hydroelectric green. If you want to be proactive about becoming a green facility, see the Partnership for Green Energy, a voluntary program offered by the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency. The Green Power Partnership (http://www. EPA. Gov / Green Power /) supports the development of green energy by providing expert advice, assistance and resources.
For example, do you know the fuel used to generate electricity used in your business? The EPA does. Within minutes, you can enter your zip code and your electricity supplier and to discover what combination of fuels used by your provider: non-hydro renewables, hydro, nuclear, gas, coal or oil. The answer may surprise you.
The resources of the EPA can help your company reduce costs for the purchase of green electricity, reducing emissions of carbon dioxide, and see community leadership. Buying green power is one of the easiest and most effective in improving the environmental performance of your business.
© 2008 Thomas Hauck Communications Services
Category: Hydro Energy
