Perhaps you've heard the phrase, "What gets counted, gets done." The rule holds true for energy management strategies; if someone is responsible for making certain your business is using energy efficiently, the job is far more likely to get done.

Consider hiring a full or part-time energy manager to analyze your firm's energy use and develop an ongoing energy management plan with specific goals and target dates. This person may also research purchases of energy-efficient equipment and make appropriate recommendations.

If your business can't support a full or part-time energy manager position, form an energy management team that includes a member of senior management. The team should:

• Present a proposal to management showing how energy efficient strategies can help the bottom line.
• Develop an action plan with target completion dates.
• Choose a name and logo for the program to aid in promotion.
• Solicit input and feedback from all employees on suggested energy efficiency tactics.
• Communicate regularly to upper management and all employees on their progress.

If your offices have high ceilings, such as a warehouse, you’re losing heat. Installing a ceiling over the office area minimizes heat loss, reduces the time your heating equipment runs, and makes the area more comfortable.

If your space includes a loading dock, install a relay switch on your heating system to turn heat off when the doors are opened.

Insulate bare pipes and ducts running through unconditioned space to curb heat loss or gain.

Hire a professional to do an energy audit of your building to determine where and how you're wasting energy and money.

When your building's roof needs resurfacing, consider a white or other reflective surface to reduce cooling needs.

Cover south-facing windows to reduce solar gain during the day.

Use fans to circulate cool air through your building and make workers more comfortable.

• Screensavers do not save energy. In fact, you're using almost full power to keep them displayed on a computer monitor.
• Make sure that computers, monitors, printers, faxes and other equipment are completely turned off when not in use, especially overnight and on weekends.
• Avoid using full-page fax cover sheets. Stick-on labels reduce the energy use of the fax machine and save paper as well.

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