Ideas for Saving Energy and Shrinking Your Costs
It’s common industry knowledge that managing a business is a balancing act between minimizing costs and maximizing profits. One cost minimization area that is often overlooked is that of energy costs. In a recent article published by Retail Minded, the author enumerates a number of methods for saving energy and shrinking costs:
- Set energy efficient policy. Some utility companies offer better rates during low or off peak times—find out if yours does, and coordinate your work schedule accordingly.
- Switch to LED and CFL lighting. Though they require a higher initial investment, these light bulbs can save you up to 75% in energy usage, and require replacement much less frequently than traditional bulbs.
- Put laptops and computers in hibernation or sleep mode. Make it a habit to turn computers off or use power-saving modes during weekends and after working hours. The same goes for other office equipment, such as air conditioners, scanners, and vending machines.
- Cut out paper waste. Encourage one another not to print unless necessary—this will cut down on paper waste and energy costs, as well as increase the life span of your printer.
- Use a programmable thermostat. Once you set your thermostat to automatically adjust according to a particular energy-saving schedule, your work is done!
Though individually these methods may not have a big impact, if you take the time to implement more than one, or, ideally, all of them, you are bound to see a reduction in your energy costs.
For more details, see the full article at Retail Minded.