- If your business is equipped with ceiling fans, use them frequently to take some of the load off your HVAC system. Make sure to switch their blades to rotate counter-clockwise in the summer so it pushes the cool air back down.
- Switch to LED lightbulbs wherever possible. In addition to using 50% less energy, they also have a much longer lifespan overall and help save on replacement purchases.
- Install switch plate occupancy sensors to automatically turn off lighting when no one is present and back on when people return.
- Turn off machines and equipment when you’re not using them; enable automatic sleep timers or manually turn monitors off if you’re heading out.
- Buy and use ENERGY STAR®-certified products; the label indicates the most energy-efficient computers, printers, copiers, refrigerators, windows, thermostats, ceiling fans, and other equipment.
- Replace any single-pane, clear windows with double-pane windows, as the former are poor insulators and allow heat from the sun to enter your building.
- If your building has an automation system, try cooling your building at night with outside air. This can help lower the overall temperature and eases the cooling load during the day.
- Invest in a smart thermostat, as they can learn your temperature preferences and establish a schedule that automatically adjusts to energy-saving temperatures when people are away.