Knowing and improving where your money is going can make a big difference to the success of your company. Your energy bill is likely to be something you pay without any second thought, but with energy costs constantly on the rise, we are sure that there are certainly better ways you want to spend your financial resources, that is not on an unnecessarily expensive electricity bill.
We aren’t suggesting that you make massive changes to your daily work routine, but being more energy efficient will benefit you in many ways. Changes you make right now can be as small as changing your company’s mindset towards the use of energy, to action on a bigger scale, like installing a solar energy system.
What is Energy Efficiency?
To put it simply, Energy Efficiency just means to use less energy to perform the same task, and being able to produce the same result. You can be energy efficient through the appliances and electronic devices you choose to purchase, or by simply improving the way you use electricity. Using less energy comes with many benefits to both yourself, and our environment.
How to Save Electricity
Reducing your monthly costs can be quite straightforward if you take the right steps. Being more aware of your energy consumption can only be positive, and you will have more freedom to spend and invest in other areas of your business.
Here are eight ways you can reduce your monthly business energy consumption and costs:
- Turn off lights and equipment when they are not in use.
This might seem obvious, but it is surprising how many electric appliances get left on when they are not in use. It is not uncommon that lights get left on overnight, or that desktop computers are not fully turned off, and rather are left on ‘sleep mode’, or laptops that are left with the charger plugged in. These are easy ways you are consuming energy and increasing your energy costs without even realizing or thinking about it.
- Invest in motion censored equipment or automatic lighting and appliances.
In today’s market, you can easily find appliances that will automatically switch off after being unused for an extended period of time. Another easy option is making use of equipment, for example, lights, sink taps, or security CCTV cameras, that will only switch on when it signals any movement.
- Switch to LED (Light-Emitting Diode) lighting.
LED lights are highly energy efficient and are just all around a better option compared to standard incandescent lighting. LED lighting uses at least 75% less energy, has a much longer lifespan, they don’t heat up as much, and you will still get the same light output. It is a quick and easy switch!
- Conduct an energy audit.
An energy audit is a type of inspection and analysis of your building that will determine your energy uses. An energy audit can be useful because it will identify where the most energy is being used, and therefore any areas where you can save on energy costs. If you find yourselves consistently with a large electricity bill, conducting an energy audit can be a big help to you.
- Take advantage of the weather conditions.
Whether you live in a hot or cold climate, a lot of places have a time of year where the weather is just right and we should make the most of it. For example, November to February time in Thailand is perfect for lowering the usage of air conditioners and using electric fans instead, or even just letting the breeze come through the windows.
- Think about the possibility of switching your energy supplier.
It definitely might be easier to stick with your current energy supplier, but you also might not realize how it could be affecting your costs. If you have stuck with your supplier for a long time, it is understandable if you don’t look elsewhere. However, consider the option that there are cheaper suppliers, so don’t rule out researching what deals others have to offer.
- Make your employees aware of sustainable practices.
As mentioned before, our daily energy consumption is not something that everybody thinks too much about. Doing something as simple as ensuring your employees are aware of energy efficiency practices and the benefits, can make all the difference. The more people that are involved and educated, the bigger impact you can make.
- Consider using a renewable energy source, for example, solar panels.
Making the change to using renewable energy sources to power your business can help you slash your energy costs in the long run. Not only does this save you revenue on your monthly bills, but it also generates electricity that’s free of harmful carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and other greenhouse gasses.
Are Solar Panels Worth it?
A solar energy system can definitely cost a large sum of money upon initial investment, however, we can assure you it is a worthwhile investment. Most commercial solar panels today have efficiency levels between 15% to 20% and will efficiently produce energy for you for an average of 25 years. After you break even on your investment cost, you are guaranteed to reduce your energy bills by a significant amount, while contributing to the environmental benefits that solar energy brings. It is also important to consider that in the future, we may have no choice but to use renewable energy sources on a mass scale, so it might be better to get ahead!
Why is it Important to Save Energy?
While the demand for energy continues to rise, we need to be aware of the harmful effects that non-renewable energy sources are having on our planet. There are many alternate and sustainable sources of power that we can use in the future. Most of the electricity we generate comes from burning coal and fossil fuels, which release harmful toxins like carbon dioxide and sulfur into the atmosphere. Burning coal and fossil fuels is a temporary solution, as resources will eventually run out. This action has long-term negative impacts on our environment that is damaging many of our natural habitats.
Read our full blog post on why it is important to conserve energy here.
On a more individual level, high energy usage will equal to high electricity bills to pay each month. As we have recently seen, the cost of non-renewable energy is inconsistent and can see a major increase at any moment. Finding ways to be more efficient with your energy consumption, both at home and at the workplace, will help you lower your utility bills, as well as reduce your carbon footprint.
Contact Constant Energy today to start saving!
