MDCIS - Energy Office - Energy Saving Checklist for Small Businesses
Quick and Easy Energy Saving Checklist for Small Businesses
Use this checklist to identify no-cost or low-cost measures you can take
to save your business 10 to 50% on your energy bills.
1. Fluorescent Lighting
Does your business have outdated and inefficient fluorescent lighting and magnetic ballasts?
No: Congratulations! You have made the energy efficient choice.
Yes: An energy efficient 'T8' fluorescent lamp utilizes rare earth phosphorus and a special electronic
ballast. Though considerably thinner (one inch in diameter rather than one and one-half inches), the T8 provides
equivalent light, higher quality color rendition and consumes up to 40% less energy than outdated fluorescent
lighting systems which use T12 lamps and magnetic ballasts.
2. Incandescent Lighting
Does your business use incandescent bulbs for interior lighting?
No: Congratulations! You have made the energy efficient choice.
Yes: The compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) is an energy
efficient alternative to incandescent lighting. CFLs can provide lighting levels
equivalent to many common size incandescent lamps while consuming 75 to 80%
less energy. CFLs generally last 5 to 15 times longer than incandescent bulbs
reducing replacement costs, replacement time and frequency of burned-out bulbs.
3. Lighting Controls
Does your business have lighting controls for rooms that have minimal occupancy?
Yes: Congratulations! You have made the energy efficient choice.
No: Occupancy sensors automatically turn off lights when a room is unoccupied and work well in
rooms that are minimally occupied where the lights are often left on. Simple twist timers on light switches turn off
lights after a set period of time. Stickers can be placed next to all light switches to remind occupants to turn them
off. Exterior lighting can be controlled by timers or photocells.
4. Lighting Levels
Does your business reduce the use of artificial lighting where there is adequate natural lighting?
Are lighting levels adequate for your business?
Yes: Congratulations! You have made the energy efficient choice.
No: You can remove lamps where you have more lighting than you really need. Remember to
disconnect the ballast in fluorescent systems, ballasts draw a small amount of energy even with the lamps removed.
Turn off lights when they are not in use.
5. Hot WaterTank Insulation
Does your hot water tank have an insulating blanket?
Yes: Congratulations! You have made the energy efficient choice.
No: This simple, inexpensive measure will reduce standby heat loss from the tank. Be sure to leave the
vent uncovered when insulating a gas water heater.
6. Hot WaterTemperature
Is the temperature setting on your hot water tank higher than necessary?
No: Congratulations! You have made the energy efficient choice.
Yes: If your hot water is only used for hand washing, your water may be hotter than needed. A setting
of 105 degrees should be adequate. You may also wish to consider installing a smaller tank or moving the water
heater closer to the point of use.
7. Heating and Cooling System Maintenance
Does your business have a maintenance schedule for its heating and cooling equipment?
Yes: Congratulations! You have made the energy efficient choice.
No: A simple and inexpensive maintenance job is to replace dirty air filters. Clean filters also keep dirt
and dust off of diffusers and coils and out of fans and motors, prolong their useful life, keep performance levels
high and save energy dollars. Refrigeration coils within refrigeration and air-conditioning units can also become
fouled with dust over time. This hinders heat transfer and reduces efficiency. These coils should be checked and
cleaned periodically. Boilers and furnaces should be inspected annually and tuned-up by a professional to optimize
performance and efficiency.
8. Programmable Thermostat
Does your business have a programmable thermostat for evening and weekend temperature setback?
Yes: Congratulations! You have made the energy efficient choice.
No: These inexpensive devices can help reduce your building's heating and cooling costs. Savings can
be substantial. For example, a 14-hour night setback and full weekend setback, from 65 to 55 degrees in Lansing,
would result in fuel savings of 16%! It is a misconception that it is more expensive to turn off the heating and
cooling and restore the building to a desired temperature later.
9. Windows, Doors and Walls
Are all areas of air infiltration and heat loss from your building identified and sealed?
Yes: Congratulations! You have made the energy efficient choice.
No: Seemingly small cracks or holes in the building exterior (walls, windows, doors, ceiling and floors)
can add up to substantial heating and/or cooling losses. Install weather stripping and caulking to stop these air
leaks.
10. Electric Motors
Does your business use outdated or oversized electric motors?
No: Congratulations! You have made the energy efficient choice.
Yes: New high-efficiency motors are now available that use less electricity than older standard-efficiency
motors. A high efficiency motor may cost slightly more than a standard motor, but this additional cost quickly pays
for itself in energy savings.
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