No-Cost Tips

• Adjust your thermostat. In the summer, set your thermostat to 78 degrees when the work place is occupied, and 85 degrees or off after business hours. In the winter, set your thermostat to 68 degrees when the work place is occupied, and 60-65 degrees or off after business hours. You can save up to 3% for each degree the thermostat is raised in the summer and lowered in the winter. Using ceiling or room fans improves air circulation.
• Reduce your lighting. A general rule is that a light should be off when no one is present. Turn off lights in unoccupied areas, remove excess lighting and turn off signage and other lights not necessary for security and safety.
• Be energy smart with office equipment. Turn off office equipment or set it to "power down" when not in use. Setting computers, monitors, and copiers to use sleep-mode when not in use helps cut energy costs by approximately 40%. Remember to turn equipment off at the end of the workday.
• Use shades and blinds. On hot days, draw the curtains and/or shades to keep the sun out. Remember to close doors to the outside to keep in cooler air.

Low-Cost Tips

• Install efficient lighting. There are a number of low-cost solutions that can be invested in to make lighting much more efficient and save money in the long run. For example: replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescents, which can last up to nine times longer; upgrade fluorescent lighting fixtures to high efficiency equipment; replace incandescent lights in exit signs with LED fixtures. This can reduce costs of these signs by up to 95%.
• Install programmable thermostats. Programmable thermostats or time clocks can automatically control temperature settings and save energy.
• Use "smart" power strips. These sense the presence or absence of office workers and turn the attached equipment on or off accordingly.
• Maintain your HVAC system. Perform regular maintenance to keep your heating and air conditioning systems running more efficiently.

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