Small Business Solutions

Energy-Saving Tips Cards

Picture of energy tip card

Download our hot weather energy-saving tips cards and reduce electricity costs as well as protect the environment.

From retail shops to grocery stores, from restaurants to laundromats, from small firms to sole practitioners, California's small and medium-sized businesses consume roughly 18% of all commercial energy in the state. Much of that energy is wasted through the use of inefficient equipment and lighting.

Step 1: Determine what equipment is draining your profits

Understand which equipment is using the most energy in your business by conducting an energy audit. In the process, you will discover a variety of cost-effective measures that suit your specific situation.

Several programs throughout the state offer free online audits and personal on-site audits conducted by trained professionals. For more information, go to Rebates, Incentives & Services.

Check In This Section on this page to learn how typical California retailers, small firms, laundromats, restaurants and grocery and convenience stores consume energy — and how they can save it.

Step 2: Talk with your landlord (or tenant) about energy efficiency

One-half of the small business owners in California rent or lease their space, and the majority of tenants pay the utility bills. As a tenant, you may have concerns about the cost-effectiveness of making energy efficiency investments in a building owned by another party. As a landlord, you may have the same concerns about upgrading in spaces where someone else is paying the utility bills. If tenants and landlords work together to improve the energy efficiency of a space – and perhaps even share the costs – landlords can improve the value of their property and renters can reduce their electricity bills.

For information on how to begin a conversation with your landlord or tenant about energy efficiency improvements and sharing the costs and benefits, see U.S. Department of Energy's Energy-Saving Opportunities for Leased Buildings (PDF, 8K) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Upgrading Tenant Spaces (PDF, 261 KB)

Step 3: Make small changes today

Businesses such as Gelson's Markets in Southern California have saved thousands of dollars annually by replacing lighting and installing energy-efficient equipment. Many energy efficiency measures can be implemented quickly, with immediate energy cost-saving benefits. Examples include:

  • Replace a standard, incandescent exit sign with an energy-efficient sign and save about $20 in annual electricity costs.
  • Replace T12 lamps (1.5-inch diameter) and magnetic ballasts with T8 lamps (1-inch diameter) and electronic ballasts, and reduce energy use by 40%. (Note: New T5 lamps, which save even more, may be appropriate as well.)
  • Install humidity control systems in large walk-in refrigerators to reduce refrigerator temperatures by 2° to 4° F.

The measures that are the most appropriate and effective vary by the type of small business. Select your industry under In This Section on this page for specific energy efficiency strategies.

Take advantage of these tools and resources: