Small Retailers and Offices

Energy-Saving Tips Cards

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

Small retail stores and offices account for more than half of all small business energy use in California. Small retailers spend on average $800 each month on electricity and small offices spend $1,000 each month!

If you own a small retail store or office, cutting your electricity use permanently through energy efficiency improvements will save your business thousands of dollars each year in utility costs. Begin with the equipment that uses the most energy to see the greatest results.

Which Equipment is Draining Your Profits?

Lighting

Lighting: An indispensable component of good business, lighting is typically the biggest energy expense for small retailers and offices. Retailers rely on attractively lit displays to promote sales. Small firms and offices rely on quality lighting for employee comfort and productivity. Energy-efficient lighting will produce the same lighting levels at reduced costs. Here is how you can save energy:

  • Install energy-efficient compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), which provide the same lighting level and a warmer, more-comfortable lighting color than standard incandescent light bulbs – at a fraction of the cost. And, because standard incandescent lights throw off more heat, switching to CFLs also reduces cooling needs.
  • Install new high-efficiency T8 and T5 fluorescent tubes which last longer (up to 16 years!), cast attractive lighting color and need less maintenance than standard T12 lamps. The new ballasts for the T8s and T5s – electronic instead of magnetic – make the system more efficient and, best of all, eliminate the annoying hum and flicker!
  • Occupancy sensors and dimmers in break rooms, restrooms and conference rooms can reduce lighting costs up to 40%.

Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC)

HVAC systems contribute significantly to energy expenses, and are indispensable in part because of comfort concerns for employees. Investing in a new, energy-efficient air conditioner or furnace will cut energy costs up to 20%. Here is how you can save energy:

  • Use recommended thermostat set points. Every degree of cooling increases energy use by 4% to 5% (e.g., cooling to 73°F instead of 76° uses 12% to 15% more energy). Save up to $500 annually.
  • Install an ENERGY STAR programmable thermostat to automatically control temperature settings and save 10% to 70% on heat and cooling costs.
  • Increase the efficiency of a heating and cooling system by preventing heat gain or loss with insulation, weather-stripping around doors, and shades, awnings or tinting over windows (especially in severe climates).

Office Equipment

The energy costs of office equipment – computers, printers, copiers and phones – can add up, especially in small offices. Today's market offers numerous energy-efficient office equipment options. Just look for the ENERGY STAR label. Here is how you can save energy:

  • Keep computers on standby. Computers are only used an average of 10% of the time they are turned on.
  • Consider using ink-jet printers, which consume less energy than laser printers.
  • Use energy-smart power strips that sense when equipment is not in use.

Additional tools & resources

Take advantage of these tools and resources: