This article is sponsored by PECO, an Exelon Company.
Fluctuations in weather can be stressful for any small business’s facilities. Drastic temperature changes, raging storms, and insidious drafts can hammer heating systems in offices and commercial spaces, posing a major threat to the bottom line.
Among the many ways business owners can cut down on energy costs, reducing heating bills is crucial to maintaining a balanced budget through the colder months. Here are a few tips to help you and your facilities save money while keeping employees and customers comfortable.
Switch to LED lighting
Older lighting can be driving up your energy bill. Switching over to LED (light emitting diodes) lighting will not only save you money, but the bulbs can last way longer than incandescent ones. Whether lighting up indoor or outdoor spaces, replacing the old technology with energy-efficient alternatives makes keen business sense.
Upgrade to a smart thermostat
While newer thermostats can sense temperatures in multiple zones within a building and accordingly send heat where needed, older thermostats get a single reading wherever they are placed and heat the whole space in a uniform way. Smart thermostats are pretty intelligent when it comes to finding ways to run your heating system most efficiently. Not only can they create routines to automate heating cycles throughout the day and week, but they can even learn from user behavior to uncover insights and savings that even you didn’t think of.
Inspect refrigerators
When looking to reduce heating costs, the refrigerator might not be the first place you look. But fridges are an integral part of the heating/cooling ecosystem, and if they’re working inefficiently they can add big costs to your bottom line. If your fridge is old or still uses energy-sucking fluorescent lights, it’s worth upgrading to a new model, armed with smart sensors that can adjust settings on the fly.
Check the HVAC system
Though pricier than refreshing an old system, putting money down on a new HVAC system may save you money in the long run, up to 35% on annual energy costs. If you’d prefer to hold off on a whole new system, consider extending the life of your current setup by installing economizers and advanced controls. In addition, cleaning the filters in your HVAC system can help them work more efficiently and distribute heat better. Do it regularly to receive regular benefits.
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