Commercial Energy Conservation Tips

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Indoor Lighting

• Install energy efficient fluorescent bulbs. A compact fluorescent light (CFL) uses 75 percent less electricity to produce the same amount of light as an incandescent. The CFL will last about 10,000 hours as opposed to the 600 to 1,000 hour average life of an incandescent. Replacing a 100 watt incandescent with its equivalent 25 watt CFL will save more than $90 per bulb in electricity costs over the CFL's 10,000 hour lifetime.

• Install task lighting as opposed to overhead lights (light only those areas needed at the time);

• Install motion sensors on lighting equipment to turn lights on and off automatically;

• Use multiple switching and dimmers to reduce unnecessary lighting;

• Clean the grease, dust and other dirt regularly off of bulbs, fixtures, lenses, lamps and reflective surfaces to increase light output;

• Install LED exit signs. They're 100% longer lasting than conventional exit signs.

Outdoor Lighting

• Install photocells in outdoor lighting;

• Use multiple switching and dimmers to reduce unnecessary lighting;

• Turn off non-essential lighting (i.e. decorative lighting).

Air Conditioning

• Install a programmable thermostat;

• Use fans to help circulate air;

• Don't place lamps or TV sets near your air conditioning thermostat. The heat they give off will make the thermostat read incorrectly;

• Keep the window coverings closed during the day to prevent solar gain.

Water Heating

• Reduce hot water temperature to 120 degrees F. Each 10-degree reduction will generally save 3 percent to 5 percent on your water heating costs. Many small businesses, such as restaurants, bars and dry cleaners, have water-heating needs that can be economically and reliably met by solar energy.