When trying to save money on gas and electric utilities for your business, you can take many of the same steps you would take at home, but there are some additional steps that would not apply in the home, simply because of the different way each place is used. Some steps will not make as dramatic a difference at work as it would at home, while others will be more dramatic.

If you are looking for a location to move your business into, look for things like newer heating and cooling systems that run more efficiently, lots of natural lighting, solar power, and good insulation. If you are in an existing location, you can still take steps to lower your gas and electric bills.

Start with some of the basic practices you would use at home. Insulate your water heater and pipes. Over time, this can make a big difference on your utility billing. Replace furnace filters often and consider replacing an older, sluggish furnace with a highly rated Energy Star model. Consider doing the same with an old water heater. Older appliances take more energy to run and can run up a utility bill considerably.

Install compact fluorescent light bulbs that use up to 75% less energy than standard bulbs, and use natural lighting as much as you can. When a room is not in use, turn off the lights. It is also a good practice to turn off or unplug machines that are not used much; even standby mode wastes energy. Turn off computers at the end of the day.

If you can, use your computer to receive faxes so that every page of fax your business receives is not automatically printed. Most business get numerous faxes throughout the day that are “junk,” and you will save money when they don’t print.

You can get an audit of your utility usage or get software that analyzes your businesses utility usage. The information gained by an audit or computer analysis can show you where the majority of energy is used in your business, and will often make suggestions for steps you can take to reduce it. You will also be able to see the effect of any steps you have already taken to save energy. You can purchase utility tracking software, or download less functional freeware online.

By implementing these changes in your business, you will be able to tell you have saved a good deal of energy by the decrease in your energy bills.

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