Energy Saving Tips for Growing Businesses

What are the best and quickest ways for a business to cut back on consumption? Taking a few steps to lower energy use will conserve natural resources, decrease energy costs and save money. Here are 10 ways businesses to do it while continuing to provide a comfortable environment for employees and

* Reduce lighting where possible and take advantage of natural daylight. Turning lights off or dimming them during the day allows for lower energy costs and a more comfortable environment. Also, remove excess lighting, and turn off signage and other lights not necessary for security and safety.

* Install occupancy sensors. These inexpensive devices can reduce lighting costs by up to 40% by turning off lights in unoccupied areas.

* Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), which can last up to 10 times longer. CFLs provide the same amount of light as standard bulbs, but use up to 75% less energy.

* Replace incandescent lights in exit signs with LED fixtures. This can reduce costs of these signs by up to 95%.

* Adjust the thermostat down in the winter and up in the summer and shut off when not in use. Even a few degrees can significantly reduce heating and air conditioning costs.

* Install programmable thermostats or time clocks to automatically control temperature settings on heating and air conditioning equipment.

* Turn off or set office equipment to power down when not in use. Turning off one computer and monitor nightly and on weekends can save up to $80 a year. And setting PCs, monitors and copiers in sleep mode when not in use can help cut energy costs by up to 50%.

* Lower the thermostat on your water heater. A temperature of 120 degrees F is sufficient for many common uses. A 10-degree F reduction can save up to 5% on water heating costs.

* Invest in energy-efficient equipment. When upgrading or adding new equipment, look for the Energy Star symbol, which indicates the equipment meets federal standards for energy efficiency.

* Purchase copiers, faxes and computers that have an "energy save" feature that reduces energy use when not in operation.

* Have your insulation checked by a professional to make sure that energy is not flying out through the walls.

* Inculcate energy-conscious habits in your business partners and staff.

Energy Tips compiled by San Diego Gas & Electric Co.

-Jim McConville