Summer Energy Tips
- Keep cooling and ventilation systems tuned. Maintain a regular filter replacement and cleaning schedule. Don't forget to check ducts and pipe insulation.
- Apply solar control window films to existing glass in windows and doors to reduce peak demand during hot months and conserve energy anytime air conditioning might be required. In addition to the energy management benefits, the use of these films can also reduce exposure to ultraviolet radiation and reduce glare.
- Seal off unused areas and reduce or eliminate cooling in these spaces. Storage rooms, warehouses, and unoccupied areas are potential ‘energy vampires’.
- For future conservation, plant trees and other types of vegetation to shade the building.
- Use a programmable thermostat and make it easy to adjust the settings as well as regulate the temperature when you are closed to avoid unnecessary cooling costs. Consider a locking cover over the thermostat to avoid having employees change temperature settings.
- Set the thermostat in your workspace to 78 degrees during work hours, and raise the setting to 85 degrees when the space is unoccupied. The energy savings can be significant - as much as 2 percent of your air conditioning costs for each one degree that you raise the thermostat.
- Close window blinds to shade your rooms from direct sunlight.
- Allow your workers to wear comfortable clothing during hot weather. It makes little sense to keep a room cold enough that workers must wear suits and coats.
- Keep exterior and freight doors closed as much as possible. Consumers frequently complain about business owners who run air conditioning on high while leaving their doors wide open.
For additional energy saving tips, visit www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/your_workplace.