Are you concerned that your office power bills are constantly rising? Modern offices have more equipment resulting in more energy consumption. If there are several workers in the office, reducing office power bills becomes a joint effort. As a business owner, any cost cutting measure is welcome in a tough business climate where operational costs keep rising. Keeping power usage down in the office is, therefore, more of a necessity.
For busy offices with more electronic appliances that run long hours, it might be a challenge trying to lower power consumption. We have come up with the following innovative ways to help you keep power usage down in the office.
1. Use Sunlight During Daytime
Often, the key to reducing power consumption in your office lies in the architecture of the building itself. Using sunlight to light up the office is a good idea to lower electricity bills. Most modern office buildings have large windows to allow more light. During daytime, open the window curtains or blinds wide and let the natural light flood into your office.
Natural light has many advantages in the office setting. It lifts mood and can boost productivity among workers. Natural light will also inhibit the growth of any mold, thus ensuring that everyone is healthy. Healthy workers have better energy at work.
2. Change Your Electricity Supplier
If the bills have been climbing steadily, perhaps the fault lies with your supplier. If you are satisfied after comparing electricity plans that you can get a better deal elsewhere, then inform your current supplier of the impending change. Some suppliers have better rates than others, and you should not stick with one who charges you the highest.
3. Try Energy Efficient Office Equipment
Office equipment is one of the major causes of high office power bills. Some of these are even left running for long hours but are necessary to get work done. Printers, microwaves, scanners and computers are all a common feature in most offices. You need to upgrade your office equipment to energy saving devices that are designed with maximum energy efficiency. Most of these energy efficient devices have an Energy star logo.
Nowadays, most companies are trying to keep up with energy efficiency standards. It may cost you more to invest in such appliances upfront, but the net energy saving will be worth it.
4. Switch Off Lights And Appliances
As more businesses look into ways to be more energy efficient, even the smallest gains in reducing power costs count. Starting with the bulbs, encourage all teams to kill lights in rooms that are not in use and instead use natural light. Lighting can be the reason you are paying more for power. Incandescent bulbs are known to consume more power. If left on for long hours, your power bill will rise fast.
It is also advisable to switch off and unplug all office equipment like computers, scanners and printers at the end of the day. Ensure that you completely unplug the appliances from the wall sockets. This is to prevent phantom loads that might lead to more power consumption.
5. Use Energy Saving Bulbs
You stand to save more on office power bills by replacing incandescent bulbs with LED and other energy saving alternatives. Often, bulbs stay on for a long time. In most offices, bulbs will only go off if people leave the office after work. Offices that employ shifts will often have the bulbs on throughout. If such offices use incandescent bulbs, there will be more power consumption.
Switching to energy saving bulbs can have a significant impact on reducing power bills. LEDs have a longer lifespan and give more light.
6. Switch Off Heating When Not In Use
Keeping the office warm especially during winter can help to keep productivity going. Some offices even have rules on the internal temperature that needs to be maintained while people are working. While this helps to keep things running well at the office, there is often power wastage. If HVAC systems keep running for long, there might be wastage of power and a rise in the electricity bill.
Heat the office only when it is necessary. Keeping the heating on all the time might overheat the office leading to reduced productivity.
Keeping power bills down is an absolute must at the office. More offices are looking to become more energy efficient through innovative ways. Through the change of behavior and using modern equipment, offices can save on power and put the savings to better use.
