Energy Efficiency: Strategies and Tips

Introduction
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), "Energy efficiency offers a powerful and cost-
effective tool for achieving a sustainable energy future. Improvements in energy efficiency can
reduce the need for investment in energy infrastructure, cut fuel costs, increase competitiveness
and improve consumer welfare. Environmental benefits can also be achieved by the reduction of
greenhouse gases emissions and local air pollution."

Companies that conserve energy reduce operating costs and improve their bottom line. Customers,
tenants and employees also appreciate the benefits of more efficient technology: better lighting,
climate control and ventilation. Energy efficiency contributes to better air quality by reducing
emissions from fossil fuel electricity generation.

Strategy
Step 1: Benchmark
Track your energy use over time. Review your electricity invoices for statistics about your
energy demand and electricity consumption to identify trends, seasonal variations and
opportunities to conserve. Identifying energy consumption patterns also provides a
baseline from which you can monitor progress. It is important to understand the what, how, and
when of your current energy consumption.

• Which appliances and/or equipment are consuming the most energy?

• How are these high energy consumption items being run? Simultaneously?
• When are these high energy consumption items running? When not needed? During
peak load times?

Step 2: Take Strategic Action

Prioritize and implement cost-effective energy savings that best fit your business based on the
energy inefficiencies you discovered while benchmarking. For most businesses the best
opportunities are in lighting, HVAC (heating, ventilation and air
conditioning), office equipment, and plug loads.

Post Office Box 271255, Houston, Texas 77277 I 888.824.4220 I info@taigacompany I www.taigacompany.com
 For most businesses the best opportunities are in lighting, HVAC (heating, ventilation and air
conditioning), office equipment, and plug loads.

• Run non-essential high demand items during off-peak hours to minimize usage charges.
• Stagger your high demand equipment to minimize your demand charges.
• Evaluate the efficiency of your high demand equipment to improve your power factor.

Step 3: Continuous Active Management

Ongoing active management of consumption and usage patterns can stabilize energy expenses and
contribute to an overall business sustainability plan and a sustainable lifestyle. Whether you have
the capital to invest in alternative energies for your business or the desire to use less energy, the
decisions you make have real impacts on your business, life, and the environment.

Easy Tips to Reduce Energy Costs

1. Turn off your monitor and other office equipment when not in use.
2. Turn computer off at the end of the day.
3. Turn lights off in conference room after meetings and remember to turn off the projector as
well.
4. Unplug infrequently used office equipment. Many appliances continue to draw a small
amount of power when they are switched off. These "phantom" loads occur in most
appliances that use electricity, such as VCRs, televisions, stereos, computers, and kitchen
appliances.
5. Install switch plate occupancy sensors in proper locations to automatically turn off lighting
when no one is present, and back on as people return to a room.
6. Use more natural light when available and adjust lighting to your actual needs.
7. Install programmable thermostats
8. Replace light bulbs with energy efficient light bulbs.
9. Use power strips to unplug multiple devices at once.
10. Purchase products with the Energy Star label.

Post Office Box 271255, Houston, Texas 77277 I 888.824.4220 I info@taigacompany I www.taigacompany.com
 Additional Resources:

Alliance to Save Energy (ASE): http://www.ase.org/ Promotes energy efficiency worldwide to

achieve a healthier economy, a cleaner environment, and greater energy security.
Calculate savings if switching to compact fluorescent lights:
http://www.environmentaldefense.org/page.cfm?tagID=602 Enter the current number of
incandescent bulbs, wattage, and state, and get dollar and carbon dioxide savings.
Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE): http://www.cee1.org/ A nonprofit that promotes energy-
efficient products and services.
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network of the US DOE: http://www.eere.energy.gov/
Database and search engine on all aspects of energy efficiency and renewable energy.
Energy Guide: http://www.energyguide.com/ Provides information on energy information, include
green energy options.
Energy Hawk: http://energyhawk.com/ Tips on savings energy.
Energy Star: http://www.energystar.gov/ Government web site with information on how to reduce
energy consumption.
The National Lighting Bureau (NLB) http://www.nlb.org/ : Guide to office lighting and productivity.
Which bulb is best for you:
http://www.environmentaldefense.org/page.cfm?tagID=632&campaign=mts Find which type of
eco-friendly bulb works best for your needs.

Post Office Box 271255, Houston, Texas 77277 I 888.824.4220 I info@taigacompany I www.taigacompany.com