Tips To Save Energy
By Joyce M. Rosenberg...Associated Press...Published August 29, 2005...Chicago Tribune If your small company's energy bills have been mind boggling this summer, the fall and winter are likely to bring little relief. And now, before it gets cold, is the best time to take steps to mitigate some of the damage from soaring heating bills.
The U.S. Department of Energy recently predicted that heating costs for homes using natural gas or fuel oil could be as much as 25 percent higher this winter than last. Businesses can expect to see a comparable increase.
If your company owns its premises you have the most control over your heating bills. But commercial renters can also take steps to curb their own energy costs, and keep the place more comfortable as the temperature falls.
Lowering your energy bills means going over your physical plant and all your equipment carefully to see what changes should be made. If you're not sure what you should be looking for, start with your local gas or electric utility; many utilities around the country offer energy efficiency consultations to their business customers.
The Internet is a big resource for information on energy conservation.
The Web site for the government's Energy Star program Click to access site has a section for small businesses. Energy Star advocates the use of energy efficient equipment, but its site also has tips to help companies lower their energy costs.
Many utilities also have information for small businesses on their sites. For example, Pacific Gas and Electric Co.'s business site Click to access site has tips and checklists and also has charts to show the estimated costs of operating a range of business equipment, including lighting.
Electricity costs, of course, matter as much as heating costs. They are affected by the rising price of the fuels, including natural gas, that are used to run generating plants.
If you are searching the Internet, don't bypass sites aimed at consumers, including the federal government's Energy Savers guide for consumers Click to access site
Many of the steps that homeowners can take can also apply to small businesses. The same site does have a page for businesses Click to access site
Companies that own their buildings need to have their heating and cooling systems assessed and cleaned, repaired or replaced if necessary.
The building itself needs attention. Do you have cracks in the walls or around the windows that are allowing heated air to escape? Is your insulation adequate? Is there a hole in the roof? Should you replace your old single pane windows with double pane ones?
If you are a renter talk to the landlord about changes that are needed--if you don't pay your own heating bills, you can bring the landlord's down, which hopefully will lower the amount of fuel costs passed along to you.
If your landlord isn't cooperative, you can still take steps on your own, such as using weather stripping and caulking to reduce drafts. The Energy Star Web site has a section with tips for business renters and tenants.
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