02 Oct October, Like Every Month, is Energy Awareness Month
Energy Awareness Month is officially in October. But every month should be energy awareness month for American businesses. These monthly events draw attention to a cause (we’re posting a blog about it, aren’t we?), hoping that greater attention will result in progress toward a goal. This yearly event aims to inform us of energy costs and how to lower them.
Paramount Energy Management has been all over this since we opened in 1999. Making our clients aware of their energy costs, giving them options to best suit their needs, and finding ways to save them money is what we’re all about.
October 1 marked the start of Energy Awareness Month, reports the Department of Energy (DOE). As the agency says, you need more than just information about it. You also need to know:
- How to use that information
- How to apply it to your business
- How doing the things we and others suggest will help you save money
What are ten things your business can do to save energy and money?
1. Conduct an Energy Audit
Before making changes, it’s crucial to understand how your business consumes energy. An energy audit will identify areas and processes where energy can be saved. Hire a professional energy auditor or use energy monitoring software to analyze your energy consumption patterns. This will help you pinpoint areas of inefficiency and prioritize energy-saving initiatives.
2. Upgrade Lighting Systems
Outdated lighting systems can be significant energy hogs. Consider switching to energy-efficient LED or CFL bulbs, which use significantly less energy and have a longer lifespan. Additionally, install motion sensors and timers to ensure that lights are only on when needed, reducing unnecessary energy consumption.
3. Optimize HVAC Systems
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are often responsible for a substantial portion of a business’s energy consumption. Regular maintenance, like replacing or cleaning air filters and tuning the system for efficiency, can make a significant difference.
Programmable thermostats can also help maintain comfortable temperatures during working hours and reduce energy usage during off hours. If HVAC equipment is outdated and uses too much energy, purchasing newer, more efficient systems may eventually pay for themselves through lower electric bills.
4. Invest in Energy-Efficient Appliances and Equipment
Consider upgrading to energy-efficient appliances and equipment, such as Energy Star-rated computers, refrigerators, and office equipment. These products consume less energy while providing the same level of performance. Energy savings can offset the initial investment cost. You also may be eligible for certain rebates when you buy more efficient appliances.
5. Embrace Renewable Energy Sources
Using renewable energy sources like solar panels may dramatically reduce a business’s carbon footprint. Depending on your budget and location, you can buy and install renewable energy systems on-site or have them installed at no cost, but you agree to pay for their energy production at set rates. This may reduce your energy bills and put your commitment to sustainability into action.
6. Implement Smart Building Technologies
Smart building technologies, like energy management and building automation systems, can optimize energy use by controlling lighting, HVAC, and other techniques based on occupancy and real-time data. These technologies can help you make decisions to reduce energy consumption.
7. Encourage Energy-Efficient Practices Among Employees
Your employees play a vital role in energy conservation. Implement energy-efficient workplace practices, such as turning off equipment and lights when not in use, reducing paper waste through digital communication, and promoting telecommuting or carpooling to reduce transportation-related energy consumption.
Educate your employees about energy conservation, the fact that lower costs help the company in many ways (including maintaining payroll), and involve them in energy-saving initiatives.
8. Reduce Phantom Energy Loads
Many electronic devices consume energy after they’re turned off but remain plugged in. These are known as phantom energy loads. To combat this, encourage employees to unplug chargers, power strips, and unused devices when they are not in use. Using smart power strips which automatically cut off power to inactive devices can also help eliminate these energy vampires.
9. Monitor and Benchmark Progress
It’s hard to improve something if you can’t quantify it. To ensure your energy-saving efforts are effective, monitor your energy usage regularly and benchmark it against industry standards and best practices. This will help you track your progress and identify areas for further improvement. Share your achievements with stakeholders, employees, and customers to showcase your commitments to sustainability and cost-cutting.
10. Hire Paramount Energy Management
We provide several services that will impact your energy costs:
- Energy procurement: We offer energy procurement services to help you decide the right power supplier to help our clients obtain the best possible rates. We can negotiate better rates and contract terms for your company.
- Utility Bill Auditing: Energy bills can be confusing, and our experts understand their complexities and how to identify errors or discrepancies that may inflate your costs. Paramount Energy Management will work with your energy providers to resolve issues so you’ll only pay for what you use.
- Ongoing Energy Management: After the initial energy provider contract term ends, fixed rates may change to variable, and your rates may significantly increase. Our ongoing energy management services monitor your contract so you’ll never pay higher rates again. You’ll always get the best energy rates and stop overpaying for your energy use.
- Sustainability Consulting: Sustainability consulting can help your business develop and implement sustainable practices that benefit the environment and your bottom line. We go beyond reducing your environmental impact to offering green products. (Part or all of the energy you pay for is generated by renewable, sustainable methods.)
You may offer your customers specialized services or pay others for IT, marketing, legal issues, or accounting. Paramount Energy Management’s specialty is helping businesses cut their energy costs and increase their sustainable energy use.
Paramount Energy Management Can Be Part of Your Team
Paramount is committed to providing you with the highest level of expertise, service, and value. Whether you’re a small business or a large organization, we can help you control your energy costs and achieve your sustainability goals during Energy Awareness Month and the rest of the year. Please email us at info@pemllc.net today to learn more.