LoadSmart Energy Saving Tips

Cooling and air-conditioning

• During the summer months, central air conditioning and heat pumps can be the largest source of energy consumption for your business. Take advantage of cool night and morning air by venting your business premises. Keep your windows covered and doors closed as much as possible to reduce the loss of cooling.
• Install a programmable thermostat to avoid peak use – and over night use.
• Keep the filters clean and maintain the unit.
• Try and reduce the use of heat-producing equipment such as printers, fax machines and any equipment not in use.
• Close blinds in later afternoon to avoid western sun heating work premises.

• Many offices can easily reduce lighting without affecting productivity. Turn off as many unnecessary lights as possible during working hours and make sure all lights are turned off after hours. Use task lighting instead of overhead lighting and light only those areas that are needed at the time.
• Install automatic lighting controls to turn on and off, depending on occupancy or time of day.
• Replace old fluorescent lights with newer more efficient models

• Turn off computers and other office equipment when you are not using them, especially overnight and weekends.
• Choose settings that automatically switch the computer monitor into sleep or “power-down” mode when it hasn’t been worked on for an amount of time.
• Consider providing employees use lap top computers, since they use up to 90% less energy than a standard computer.

• Avoid irrigating during peak times, if possible. If you must irrigate during peak hours, operate at less than full capacity.
• Test your pumps and improve overall pumping plant efficiency – that is the combined efficiency of the pump and the motor or engine.
• Consider repairing or replacing pumps with less than 50% efficiency. When replacing standard motors, buy new energy efficient electric motors.