Lighting Tips to Slash Business Energy Consumption by 85% or More

Reducing the amount of electricity you use to light your business is very important. According to many estimates, around 20% of all energy is used for lighting.

The good news is that there are a number of ways that you can light your business more efficiently. You should know how much energy you will consume. You can start by comparing business electricity prices as shown in the infographic below.

Here are some tips to consider.

Use compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs)

Traditional incandescent lightbulbs are far from ideal for lighting your business. Most business owners are aware that compact fluorescent lightbulbs are more energy efficient. However, they are hesitant to make the switch, because they don’t realize just how much they can save over the long-term.

It is true that incandescent bulbs are cheaper, at least initially. However, the energy savings from CFLs are massive. A 12 W compact fluorescent bulb gives off the same amount of light as a 60 W incandescent bulb. It also lasts 10 times longer – the average fluorescent light will last 10,000 hours. When you factor in the costs of replacing the bulb and saving on energy, you will see massive cost saving benefits.

Avoid the trap of using multiple small Watt bulbs

Some entrepreneurs are reluctant to purchase a large incandescent bulb, because they fear that it will waste a lot of electricity. They believe that it is more energy efficient to use several lower watt bulbs instead.

Unfortunately, this is not the case. It is less economical to power several bulbs in the series, rather than using a single bulb to light your business.

Give employees and customers greater control with multiple switches

Most businesses with newer buildings have two or more switches in every major room. The purpose is to give residents the option to turn lights on or off from multiple entry points.

If you are serious about conserving energy, then this is especially important. It doesn’t just give you more flexibility to enter various rooms without being in the dark. It also makes it easier to turn lights off when you’re done with them. This will reduce energy consumption quite considerably.

Install motion sensors to taper energy use

Motion sensors are another option if you are serious about cutting energy. They might sound expensive, but they are actually a lot cheaper than you think. You can install some motion sensors for as little as $35. You will save around twice that in energy costs over the course of the year.

Keep your lamps clean to improve lighting efficiency

You probably never stopped to think about the importance of keeping your lamps clean. The problem is that if they are not cleaned regularly, you might be tempted to think that the wattage is the problem. You will try to turn up the power to the lamps or stop using your dimmer.

Take some time to clean your lamps at least once every other week. You will improve lighting efficiency considerably, which will reduce the temptation to increase power to your lamp.

Teach your employees to save energy

Your employees need to undergo training to avoid wasting energy. They need to be instructed to turn off lights or computers whenever they are not in use. They should always be turned off before they leave the room or go home for the evening.

Get rid of bulbs made before 2012

If you are like my late grandmother, you probably have stored accessories for years. You might have lightbulbs in your basement or closet that have been sitting there for a decade or more.

My simple advice is not to use them. Part of the issue is that lightbulbs tend to lose their efficiency over time. The other problem is that those older lightbulbs what designed to be energy-efficient in the first place.

New regulations were established in 2012 to improve the efficiency of lightbulbs. You should get rid of any bulbs that were manufactured before then. It won’t be nearly energy-efficient enough.

Make Saving on Lighting a Priority in 2019

Energy costs have been creeping up over the past year. You are going to want to find ways to light your business more efficiently. This can help save a lot of money on electricity in the months to come.