Money saved from energy efficiency can directly impact your bottom line. Efficiency improvements can reduce your operating costs, lower your energy bills and increase profits. Isn't it time you started investing in energy efficiency?

Benefits beyond energy savings

Your business can experience multiple benefits from energy efficiency improvements. For example, upgrades that improve the quality of lighting in a space can also increase productivity and improve customer experience. HVAC system upgrades can improve indoor air quality, occupant comfort and well-being. Finally, improving your energy performance can help boost your public image as a sustainable business.

While many of these benefits can be hard to quantify on a balance sheet, they should still be considered in making the business case for energy efficiency. Such benefits can help convince financial decision-makers that energy efficiency improvements are worth the investment.

Getting started

There are many ways to improve the energy performance of your building. Start with these no- or low-cost energy efficiency measures.

• Make sure lights and electronics are turned off at night and during the day when they are not in use.
• Plug office equipment and other electronics into advanced power strips, which automatically cut power to unused devices.
• Adjust building temperatures to save energy after business hours.
• Inspect windows and exterior for air leaks and seal any you find with caulk or weatherstripping.
• Check for energy-wasting personal appliances, such as fans and space heaters. Discourage their use by maintaining a comfortable indoor temperature.
• Hire a qualified professional to inspect your heating or cooling system, especially if your energy bills have increased or you have received numerous comfort complaints from staff.

Upgrading for energy efficiency

Next, you can invest in energy efficiency upgrades that can significantly reduce your operating costs and transform your business space. While each building offers unique energy-saving opportunities, here are some of the most effective efficiency upgrades.

• Replace conventional lighting, such as linear fluorescent lamps, with high-efficiency LEDs. LEDs also last longer and offer improved light quality. You can replace entire fixtures or simply use LED replacement lamps in the existing fixtures.
• Install occupancy and daylighting controls to reduce lighting energy use and take advantage of free natural sunlight.
• Upgrade to programmable thermostats to optimize energy savings and convenience. Today's smart models offer advanced features, such as remote control.
• If your heating or cooling system is older or in need of repair, upgrade to a new ENERGY STAR®-certified unit. ENERGY STAR commercial HVAC systems are independently tested to be more efficient than standard units.
• Windows are a significant source of energy loss. Replace older windows with new high-performance windows certified by the National Fenestration Ratings Council.

Contact a qualified professional to perform an energy audit of your facility. Your auditor will inspect your facility and provide you with a targeted set of cost-saving recommendations to improve the energy performance of your business.