Business tips & resources

For supermarkets with bakeries, shift baking and other electricity-heavy work to nights and early in the morning when electricity rates are lowest.

Seal air leaks. Regularly maintain and replace caulking and weatherstripping around windows and doors.

Schedule pre-heating times for kitchen equipment such as ovens, grills, broilers and fryers to avoid heating unnecessarily.

Schedule guest room cleaning during daylight hours to take advantage of the natural light available.

Save energy in operating rooms. Install occupancy sensors to reduce speeds of air supply and exhaust fans when operating rooms are unoccupied. 

Run dishwashing and laundry operations during off-peak periods when electricity prices are lowest.

Set refrigerator thermostats to 3.2°C and freezers between -18°C and -15°C for optimal efficiency.

Install a programmable thermostat to automatically adjust temperature settings. Every degree of cooling increases energy use by up to 5 per cent.

Not using it? Power down. Turn off idling equipment when it’s not in use to reduce energy waste.

Replace old computers and monitors with ENERGY STAR® certified models to reduce energy use by up to 75 per cent.

Use occupancy sensors in copy rooms, lunchrooms, boardrooms and restrooms. You’ll reduce lighting costs by up to 70 per cent.

Install occupancy controls in break rooms, restrooms and loading docks to turn lights down or off when not needed. Report areas where lights can be turned off.

Develop a routine maintenance checklist for HVAC equipment to prevent energy loss caused by dirt build-up in filters and pipe/ducts. You’ll also improve air quality.

Use high-velocity, low-flow kitchen sprayers and save up to $1,000 a year in hot water costs.

Limit the general-use hot-water temperature to 43°C. If the faucet is too hot, guests will add cold water, which increases both water and energy use.

Install lighting occupancy controls in classrooms, reading rooms and cafeterias to avoid lighting spaces when not in use.

Increase comfort with less harsh, more natural-looking hues, new lighting helps create the right atmosphere and mood; relaxed customers tend to stay longer, spend more money and return more frequently.

Switch to LED bulbs in hallways, stairwells, lobbies and exit signs for savings up to 75 per cent.

Install ENERGY STAR® certified LED exit signs. They last up to 10 years.

Enhance safety with shadow-free LEDs, they offer more uniform light, greater visibility and increased security.

Find leaks in compressed air systems. A 1/32" hole wastes enough electricity to power nine homes!

Keep boxes, curtains and displays clear of vents. Blocking airflow reduces the efficiency of HVAC systems and increases energy costs.
 

Install high-performance windows when original windows are beyond repair to help save energy.

Install high-performance windows. Reduce heat loss and noise, and keep patients comfortable with energy-efficient windows.

Make sure oven and refrigerator doors fit tightly and gaskets are in good condition.

Engage teachers, parents and students in conservation awareness. Small steps can add up to substantial energy savings.

Install energy-efficient lighting in guest rooms and service areas such as storage rooms, housekeeping closets and walk-in refrigerators.

Eliminate hot spots with high-efficiency LEDs, they run much cooler than traditional lights which can also reduce air conditioning costs.

Choose digital over hard copies: email, video conferencing, PowerPoint presentations, e-subscriptions and web resources.

Close the door. In the summer, wasted air conditioning could add more than $500 to your electricity bill.

Check for worn and cracked caulking on doors and windows of all rooms to keep air leaks sealed.

To reduce heat loss from loading docks, use brush type seals and inflatable hinge seals for dock doors. Or, use dock shelters that enclose the rear of the truck.