Cutting Energy Costs

Help the environment by cutting cost of electrical usage

Cutting energy costs is on everyone's mind lately, especially as spikes in price of oil occur. People want to know how to minimize spending without turning out the lights completely. And businesses are no different.

Benefits for the environment are an added incentive for cutting electrical costs. The country is becoming more "green," and the government wants consumers and businesses to protect the Earth. The good news as a business owner is that you can do both. But before you investigate cutting energy costs further, consider the following:

1. Join energy-saving programs sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy to begin cutting power costs.

2. Schedule a facility-wide energy assessment to determine where you can start cutting energy costs.

3. Use alternative sources of power to help with cutting electric power costs.

 

Investigate cutting energy costs by joining the energy-saving programs

A joint program between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy, the Energy Star program was created in 1992 to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Enlisting in the program can give your business a boost by helping you set goals and track your savings. Once you're at the top of your game, you might be listed as one of Energy Star's top-performing buildings. Energy Savers works with the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. EPA and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to improve energy efficiency. If you work with Energy Savers, expect to be cutting electric power costs around 20% to 30%.
Try: The Energy Star program can provide an energy-management strategy to analyze your current energy performance. Use its energy-performance rating system to compare your energy usage to other facilities. The U.S. Department of Energy's Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy site provides ways for cutting cost of energy usage for several types of business areas, such as commercial buildings, farms and ranches, industry and religious sectors.

Hire an energy inspector to start cutting utility costs

Working with an assessor to provide a facility-wide energy audit can maximize your energy usage while minimizing overall spending, such as cutting costs of lighting. Sometimes it takes a third party to look at the spending amount and realize what can be done to cut back. These assessors do just that.
Try: Chevron Energy Solutions has a mission to help businesses pay less for energy all while maintaining high levels of operations. Engineers and project managers assist you to provide unbiased environmental energy choices. Contact one of its experts to assist your business. EnergyChek International can uncover areas of your facility that have excessive energy consumption. Home Energy Tune-uP provides names of inspectors all over the country. The inspectors check your home or home office and if in the real estate business, will help your business by assisting buyers and sellers.

Find alternative sources of power to help with cutting costs of electric power

Although your business needs power, you don't need to have someone choose what type it should be. Oftentimes you can make the decision yourself, knowing that these types of alternate sources shouldn't increase in cost over the years like fossil fuel prices may. Utilize the sun, and use solar power for your business operations. As long as you have an area to place solar panels, you should be able to use solar energy. Harness the wind's energy and use it to power up your facility.
Try: SunWize Technologies markets its solar energy as a way to eliminate the need for a generator in case electrical power fails. Once you locate your industry area and click on the link, you can locate more information on its products. Xantrex Technology sells solar- or wind-powered products for commercial businesses.

 

• Depending upon what type of way you go about cutting utility costs, your business may benefit from tax incentives or write-offs. Check with the IRS before you file your taxes to see if you can include any of your energy changes, such as solar power panels.

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