Mom and Pop Shops: Simple Ways to Save

Neighborhood businesses like yours help form the fabric of communities across the country. Local stores, restaurants and cafes are where people shop, enjoy fine food and drink, hold community gatherings and get to know new friends. Despite this, it's a competitive market and you're always under pressure to cut costs and increase profits, and utilities are a cost you can control.

While your business may be small, utilities can be a big operating expense. That's especially true if you cook or store fresh foods and use a lot of water. There's also the need to maintain a comfortable indoor environment for staff and customers. While you may not have the budget for a big energy upgrade, there are a number of simple, low-cost steps you can take to save energy, water, and money — money you can spend sponsoring your local kids sports team.

Adjust your thermostat

There's no need to waste energy keeping your empty indoor space comfortable. Adjust the thermostat to save energy after hours. A smart thermostat is a low-cost upgrade that can optimize savings and add convenience by automatically adjusting temperatures based on your operating schedule. You'll also have access to advanced features, such as remote control.

Turn out the lights

Shut off lights and equipment when closing or when they're not in use. Energy-efficient LED bulbs and replacement lamps are another inexpensive upgrade that can offer your business a significant return on investment over the long-term. Consider occupancy or vacancy sensors for restrooms and storage areas; they save energy by automatically shutting off lights when no one is present.

Seal in savings and comfort

Air leaks make your HVAC system work harder and reduce indoor comfort. Check windows and exterior doors for gaps and seal any you find with caulk or weatherstripping.

Cook up energy savings

If you have kitchen operations, these simple measures can be your recipe for lower energy bills:

• Minimize preheating. A preheating time of 15 minutes or less is adequate in most cases.
• Right-size pots and pans. A 6-inch pot on an 8-inch burner wastes 40% of the heat.
• Lower equipment temperature during idle times. Many appliances preheat rapidly, eliminating the need to maintain full temperature.
• Cover pots and pans. Covering cookware helps retain heat, reducing cooking time and energy use.

Reduce refrigeration costs

Refrigeration helps keep food fresh, but the costs can really put the heat on your energy budget. Make sure to close unit doors after every use to avoid wasting energy. Automatic door closers are a simple and inexpensive way to save energy. Simply attach them to walk-in doors to keep the cool air in the refrigerator.

If there's not enough space around your refrigeration system, it can be working harder than it needs to. Make sure there is enough room for air to flow freely over the heat exchange coils. Also, clean your system regularly. Dirty condensers and evaporator coils can block airflow.

Fix leaks around your facility

Use food coloring to check for leaks in toilets. Place a couple drops in toilet tank. If the coloring begins to appear in the toilet bowl without flushing, you have a wasteful leak that should be repaired at once. When replacing the toilet flapper valve, make sure to select a model designed for your toilet. Replace your bathroom and/or kitchen faucet aerators, or use toilet leak detection dye from our available Free Water Conservation Items. Institute a Facility Water Conservation Program:

Take action and take control

• Determine where your water is being used.
• List, rank, and evaluate the various ways you use water, then look for water saving opportunities.
• Schedule regular checks for leaks and track your usage.
• Educate your employees on facility water use and you conservation goals.

Consider a free energy efficiency assessment from our Commercial Direct Install (CDI) Program. Through CDI we offer upgrades to lighting, refrigeration, door closers and more. Also if you have not taken advantage of our Free Water Conservation Items, what are you waiting for. It is quick and easy. Fill out the online order form and we send the items to your doorstep.