| Increasing eco consciousness and a down economy | | | | Implementing Energy Efficient Design |
| where companies are trying save money have | | | | If you want to address the root of your high utility bills, |
| combined to make commercial utility cost reduction | | | | implementing energy saving retrofits is the answer. In a |
| one of the hottest topics in today's business world. | | | | majority of existing buildings, inefficient interior lighting |
| Although reducing energy consumption is often | | | | systems and HVAC systems gobble up most of the |
| discussed in environmental terms, make no mistake: | | | | electricity and gas to produce enormous annual utility |
| most companies that get serious about reducing their | | | | bills. To do away with this scenario, companies hire an |
| energy consumption are first concerned with cost | | | | energy efficiency consulting firm that performs an |
| savings, and it's easy to see why: achieving facility | | | | energy audit, makes recommendations and comes to |
| wide energy efficiency commonly results in a 50 | | | | an agreement on solutions with the customer. Most |
| percent or higher reduction in a company's annual utility | | | | energy saving measures result in a meaningful |
| bill, which, for many companies, ends up being a six | | | | decrease in utility costs, but the cost savings that |
| figure cost savings. But the question, of course, is: | | | | come with energy efficient design can be truly |
| which method for reducing energy consumption is | | | | dramatic, with a 50 percent or more decrease in |
| best? Below, look at three popular methods for | | | | annual utility cost being common. |
| reducing energy consumption. | | | | Energy Conservation |
| Picking Power Rates | | | | Energy conservation is the oldest method for reducing |
| How much you spend on energy depends in part on | | | | utility cost, and originally consisted of using less energy |
| how much an energy supplier charges you. To receive | | | | regardless of the inconveniences. But today, energy |
| the best rate possible, you typically need to hire an | | | | conservation principles are smarter, focusing on |
| energy rate brokerage and consultancy firm. But, | | | | unobtrusive measures such as improving building |
| depending on your company's size and the difference | | | | envelopes, implementing more efficient doors and |
| between your old electricity/gas rates and your new | | | | windows, and implementing a facility wide lighting |
| ones, the payoff can be worth it. Various types of | | | | control system. As with picking power rates, energy |
| companies pick power rates. But the companies with | | | | conservation alone can result in a significant |
| the most incentive are usually those that have energy | | | | commercial utility cost reduction. But its greatest effect |
| inefficient building systems that result in serious | | | | comes when it is paired with energy efficient design. |
| budgetary problems if utility rates suddenly spike. | | | | |