Don’t Let Energy Bills Drain Your Small Business

If you could save money in any aspect of your small business, where would it be?

There is a good chance that you do not always think about the savings that could be had from being an energy-efficient small business, yet there are savings there to be made.

Whether you are preparing for the upcoming winter heating bills, looking to reduce the costs for appliances and lighting around the office, or just trying to find ways to have your employees practice energy efficiency, there are things you can do.

Among them:

* Unplug devices overnight - It is easy to want to leave on computers, faxes, printers etc. overnight while the office is empty, but it is costing you money at the same time. While the savings seem insignificant at the time, they can add up over time. If you find unplugging everything to be a hassle, set the machines to be in sleep position overnight, allowing them to save you energy while not being used;

* Work with the sun - It always seem people forget to do the little things, including working with the weather presented them. In the summertime, keep your office window blinds closed in order to keep the heat out, allowing you to lower your A/C bills. In the winter, let the sun come in so that you can save on heating bills;

* Light up your savings - It is not uncommon for small businesses to have several rooms in the office that are not used all the time, yet the lights remain on. Quite simply, you are wasting money by not having the lights off when not in the room. Install light sensors so that the lights are only on when someone is actively using the room. Also make sure to install energy-efficient lighting that is both good for the environment and saves you money. By doing so, you keep a few extra dollars in your pocket that would otherwise go to the electric bill;

* Don’t let the refrigerator eat you out of savings - It is easy to think that the small office refrigerator is not costing you money, when in fact it could be eating away your savings. Make sure you give the fridge regular maintenance, making sure the doors are properly closed, vents are free of dirt and debris, and that you do not have it sitting in a warm area of the office like by a window that gets a lot of sun;

* Partner up with your energy company - You may be quick to discard those energy-saving fliers you receive from your local energy provider, but they can offer savings. It is not uncommon for energy companies to make available incentives for small businesses to save money on their electric bills. If your business is small enough, you may qualify for savings you did not know about;

* Look into on-bill financing - With this program, your small business can save money on a yearly basis. The program offers access to 0% financing via your company’s monthly bill to fund energy-efficient improvements, the same improvements which over time pay for themselves;

* Time to upgrade? - Finally, is it time for some upgrades at your small business office? You can save money over time on your energy expenses by installing a new water heater, air conditioner/heating unit, refrigerator, etc. In some cases, energy companies will chip in with costs by crediting you for a replacement item.

With all that it costs to run a small business in today’s age, are you efficient when it comes to saving money on your energy needs?