Tips to lower the energy bill for your business
Heating and cooling systems are often large energy users in businesses. Here are some ideas to help lower costs:
Warmer Months
- Set thermostats at 78 degrees or higher when cooling. Bills increase up to 4 percent for each degree below the recommended setting of 78 degrees.
- By using fans (ceiling, box, oscillating) in occupied rooms, you may be able to set your thermostat a few degrees higher without compromising the comfort of customers or employees.
Cooler Months
- Set thermostats at 68 degrees or lower when heating. Bills increase up to 4 percent for each degree above the recommended setting of 68 degrees.
- With a furnace or standard electric heating, turn the system off or down when the business will be vacant for longer than 2-3 hours.
- Customers with heat pumps should set their thermostats at 68 degrees and leave them there to avoid using the emergency heat setting. Also, make thermostat adjustments in 1-2 degree increments, waiting 10-30 minutes between adjustments.
Year-round
- Check heating system filters once a month and clean or replace as needed.
- Weatherize facilities. Cooling and heating bills can be reduced by 10-25 percent by simply caulking, sealing and weather-stripping around all windows and outside doors or where plumbing, duct work and electrical wiring penetrate exterior walls, floors or ceilings.
- Schedule a free business energy and water survey with our Energy and Business Services Department at 352-393-1460.