How to Keep Energy Costs Down When the Office Isn’t Open

As a business owner, you’re probably doing everything you can to keep your office energy costs down while the office is closed. The coronavirus pandemic temporarily forced many states across the U.S. to order the closure of nonessential businesses. As a result, there have been significant declines in commercial energy demand and usage.

While shutting down commercial energy systems like ventilation and heating can lead to issues like corrosion in boilers and unhealthy air, emergency lighting must remain on. As employers and employees alike work from home, the business’s servers — powering the tasks being carried out by workers at home — must also stay on.

So what should you do when your business still needs to use energy during a lockdown? Read on to discover five essential ways you can save energy in your office.

How Can You Lower Your Commercial Energy Costs?

To reduce your office’s electricity usage, try:

1. Switching to energy-efficient office equipment: Newer electronic devices tend to save more energy than machines made even five to 10 years ago.
2. Installing skylights: Skylights and larger exterior windows are ideal for single-story office buildings, keeping energy costs down while the office is closed.
3. Unplugging electronic devices when they aren’t being used: Many electronic devices continue to draw power from outlets even when they aren’t in use. Reduce your office’s energy consumption by unplugging all accessories when the office isn’t open.
4. Installing motion sensors to control lighting: Motion sensors are an effective way to control lighting. Where employees may forget to turn off the lights — for instance, if they stop by the office for a few minutes to grab supplies — motion sensors will help cut down on electricity costs.
5. Turning off unnecessary devices outside regular work hours: Devices such as photocopiers, scanners, and printers use electricity even when they aren’t being operated. Switching off any unneeded devices — even for those employees working at home — is an excellent way to save a building’s energy.

What Contributes Most to Commercial Energy Costs?

A variety of factors go into determining commercial energy costs in the United States, including:

• Power plant costs: The operating and maintenance costs of power plants have a significant impact on electricity prices.
• Cost of fuels: Fuel prices vary, which in turn affects the cost of electricity. Electricity has to be supplied and delivered — processes that require energy supplied by fuels.
• Seasons and weather: Extreme weather changes brought on by changing seasons can have a significant impact on commercial energy costs. Wind keeps turbines spinning, while snow and rain can assist in more economical hydropower generation.
• Location: The price of power depends mostly on where you live — factors like local regulations, fuel costs, and power plant availability all impact the cost of electricity.
• Regulations: Commercial energy regulations vary by state, with some utility commissions implementing regulated and unregulated prices and others controlling electricity costs.
• Transmission and distribution system costs: Delivery and distribution systems need to be maintained and repaired when necessary, thereby keeping electricity costs under control.

Switch to Shipley Energy Today

Whether you need to lower energy costs during quarantine or just on weekends and holiday breaks, Shipley Energy can provide a reliable, affordable solution for your business’s energy supply demands.

Shipley Energy can create customized business energy solutions to match your company’s specific needs. Contact Shipley Energy online today to learn more about how we can help you keep energy costs down in your office.