Tips to Save

Heating & Cooling

  • Set thermostats at 78 degrees in the summer and 68 degrees in the winter and cut energy consumption by 3%-5%.
  • Install programmable thermostats to maximize efficiency, which can save up to 20% of heating and cooling costs when programmed properly.
  • Install covers on thermostats to prevent employees from changing temperature settings.
  • Clean condenser coils, change air filters, and check ducts and pipe insulation for damage often.
  • Replace inefficient HVAC equipment with new energy-efficient systems.
  • Install ceiling fans, as they can make a room feel 4 degrees cooler during the summer. In the summer, use the fan in a counter-clockwise direction and in the winter, change it to a clockwise direction.
  • Install window film or awnings on all south-facing windows or use blinds.
  • Add more ceiling and wall insulation, as it decreases heating or cooling needs by providing an effective resistance to the flow of heat.  
  • Insulate water heaters and supply pipes and reduce standby heat losses by 25% - 45%.  This will save around 4% - 9% in water heating costs.

 Equipment

  • Turn off all office equipment and lights every night and weekend.
  • When purchasing computer equipment, fax machines and copiers, buy ENERGY STAR models that "power down" after a certain period of idleness.
  • Use laptop computers and/or inkjet printers, as they consume 90% less energy than desktop computers.
  • Use e-mail instead of printing and faxing documents.
  • If printing is necessary, think about duplex printing and reusing paper.

 Lighting

  • Replace T12 lights with magnetic ballasts to T8 lights with electronic ballasts.
  • Swap out incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs. They use 75% less electricity to produce the same amount of light as an incandescent.
  • Consider installing reflectors, as lighter colored walls need less light.
  • Install motion detectors to control light output in commonly unoccupied areas, like break rooms.
  • Use long-lasting, low-energy LED exit signs.

Refrigeration

  • Schedule maintenance on refrigerator units, especially keeping coils clean and free of ice build-up.
  • Adjust door latches, restore worn door gaskets, install autoclosers, and add strip curtains to walk-in doors.
  • Use night covers on both vertical and horizontal display cases.
  • Disengage anti-condensate heaters.
  • Keep refrigerators full (water jugs make good fillers).

Food Service

  • Purchase insulated cooking equipment whenever possible (e.g., fryers, ovens, coffee machines).
  • Preheat cooking equipment no longer and at no higher setting than the manufacturer's recommendation.
  • Use cooking equipment to at full capacity.
  • Turn off unused and back-up equipment during low production periods.
  • Load fryer baskets only to the recommended capacity.
  • Replace broilers with grooved or smoothed griddles to significantly reduce the associated energy consumption.
  • Ensure oven doors fit tightly and gaskets are in good condition.
  • Use glass cookware for baking and reduce the cooking temperatures by 25 degrees F.