Energy bills in a commercial space are a major expense, and doing everything you can to keep costs in check will make a huge difference in what you are paying every month. In the summer, keeping a comfortable environment for your workers is imperative or it can really affect productivity. As a small business owner, you may not have a lot of disposable funds to front major energy-saving initiatives, and that’s okay. There are lots of options that are not as expensive and can net you great returns.
Make Sure HVAC System is Up to Snuff
Properly maintaining your HVAC system will take you a long way in increasing energy efficiency and saving your business money. If your HVAC unit is not in tip-top shape, it must work harder to do its job, and the harder it works, the more energy it uses. The more energy it uses, the more money you are paying–considering you are cooling a larger space like an office, a poorly maintained system could be draining your bank account unecessarily.
There are a few things you can do on your own, but it is probably a good idea to find an HVAC service in your area who tends to commercial clients. They’ll give it a good once-over to let you know if there are any problems.
Dress Up Your Windows
Sure, we know the sun is hot and heats up the earth, but most of us don't fully appreciate the direct impact it has on the temperature inside. Taking steps to block solar energy from making its way in can go a long way in reducing summer energy costs. The cooler your office space is naturally, the less you will need A/C, especially at certain times of the day.
And when you do run it, you can set it at a higher temperature while keeping everyone comfortable while they work. One such way to block this energy is through your windows. Solar screens can block up to 70 percent of solar energy—they seem to work particularly well on windows facing the east and west.
Window films are another good choice that reflect the heat before it can travel through the glass. The only caveat with this option obviously is the window must be closed for it to work. You can find many stores and online retailers offering these products specifically for commercial use.
Take Advantage of Fans
Increasing air circulation inside the office is a great way to cut down on energy costs. For optimal circulation, the fans and open windows should be farther from each other if you are not going to be running the A/C during this time.
If you still want to run the air, running the fans at the same time will allow you to set the thermostat a few degrees higher. The fans don't cool the air, but the circulation makes it feel cooler. If you have a ceiling fan in your office, make sure the blades are running counterclockwise—this will create air movement right in the center of the room, where it will provide the greatest cooling effect.
So, if you are looking to cut costs on your business’s air conditioning bill, these three tips will help you go a long way.
