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Business Tips
Lighting
Install separate light switches for smaller areas so that lighting is only used when required
Install motion sensors so that lights will only stay on when people are in the room
Replace existing T12 fluorescent lamps and magnetic ballasts with T8 fluorescent lamps and electronic ballasts.
Replace incandescent or fluorescent exit signs with long-lasting, low-energy LED exit signs
Replace standard light bulbs with energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulbs
which use 75% less energy and last up to ten times longer.
New Buildings
Build homes and other buildings with south facing windows so that sunlight can come through and heat the building
Heating bills can be reduced by up to 20%
Consider putting up a solar-wall on the south side of a building
Refrigeration
Buy a fridge and/or freezer that is only as big as you need
One that is too big wastes energy and money. Believe it or not, it takes less energy to cool a full refrigerator or freezer (as long as it’s not so packed that air cannot circulate) than it does an empty one. Chest freezers are more energy efficient than upright ones, as there is less cold air lost when the door is opened.
Install auto door-closers and strip curtains on walk-in coolers and freezers
Keep refrigerators and/or freezers at the recommended temperatures
Refrigerators should be kept at 1’C – 3’C, while freezers should be kept at -18’C.
Move the refrigerator out from the wall once a year to vacuum its condenser coils (unless you have a “no clean” condenser model)
It will run for shorter periods of time with clean coils and use less energy. Also keep evaporator coils clean and free of ice build-up.
Regularly defrost manual-defrost refrigerators and freezers
Greater amounts of energy are used to keep the motor running when there is frost buildup.
Test refrigerator and freezer door seals to make sure that they are airtight
You can do this by closing the door over a piece of paper and making sure the paper does not slide out easily. Adjust door latches and replace worn door gaskets.
Try to open the refrigerator door less
Every time the door is opened, warm air rushes in and energy must be used to cool it back down.
Use night covers on refrigerated display cases
Heating
Clean or replace filters on furnaces and/or central air conditioning systems once a month or as needed
Consider installing an ENERGY STAR® furnace or boiler
Do not install room thermostats on a cold outer wall, next to a window, in a draughty place or next to a heat source
Install a programmable thermostat
You could save 1-2% on your heating bill for every 1o Celsius that you turn down your thermostat. Consider installing a locking cover over the thermostat to prevent employees from changing the temperature.
Insulate your hot water tank by wrapping an insulating blanket around it if it feels warm to the touch
Computers and Office Equipment
Turn off computers, monitors, printers, copiers and lights at night and on weekends
Use ink-jet printers over laser printers where feasible, as they use 90% less energy
Use laptops over standard desktop computers where feasible, as they use 90% less energy
When purchasing computers, monitors, printers, copiers and fax machines, consider ENERGY STAR® models that “power down” after a specified period of inactivity