Business Shutdown Savings Tips
For Electric & Natural Gas Customers
Lighting/Office
- Ensure all unnecessary lighting not related to safety is turned off - including desks, workstations, storage rooms, lunch rooms and meeting rooms.
- Verify automated lighting controls have been set to “away” or “override” mode.
- Be sure any lighting displays are on timers and have been set for the appropriate hours of operation.
- Consider a complete shutdown of office equipment - desktop computers, monitors, copy, fax, coffee pots, water coolers - rather than letting equipment go into power-save mode.
- Turn off all audio/visual equipment, such as projectors, TV’s, monitors, amplifiers, DVD’s, VCRs, etc.
HVAC
- Move cooling set points to a warmer temperature and heating to a cooler temperature level in unoccupied areas during the shutdown.
- Check to ensure automated HVAC controls have been set to “away” or “override” mode.
- Verify windows and doors that allow air from cooler areas to enter have been closed and secured.
- Be sure process, exhaust, ceiling and personal cooling fans are off where appropriate.
- Consider closing dampers on exhaust fans and roof top units - or do you need outside air coming in during shutdown?
- Check other ancillary fans in bathrooms, locker rooms, welding areas, and the kitchen to be sure they are off.
- Curtains and blinds can be closed in the summer to keep heat out and opened in the winter to let heat in.
- Awnings can be lowered to block the summer sun or raised to take advantage of solar heating.
Compressed Air
- Turn off compressed air systems where possible.
- Consider having a qualified technician conduct a compressed air audit during a shutdown to detect any leaks.
Process Equipment
- Verify unnecessary process equipment is either off or in “idle” mode.
- Turn off or reduce set points on ovens and process heating equipment.
Maintenance
- Consider utilizing smaller portable compressors to power tools or utilize electric tools.
- Utilize “task area” or zoned lighting rather than illuminating the entire building.
- Verify battery powered equipment is unplugged, such as forklifts, tools, along with other battery equipment that is normally charging.
