7 Reasons Your Business Would Benefit From an Energy Audit

7 Reasons Your Business Would Benefit From an Energy Audit

 

If you’re wondering whether your business is as efficient as it could be, you might benefit from an energy audit. An energy audit is a comprehensive evaluation of your company’s  use of energy. Using cutting-edge diagnostic technology, a professional auditor will energy audit valley power systems californiaidentify where you might be wasting energy and then recommend opportunities where you can cut expenses. The ultimate goal is to find cost-effective solutions for decreasing your energy usage without negatively impacting your business operations. Here are seven benefits of performing an energy audit for your California facility.

1. Reduced Energy Expenses

The most obvious benefit is that the less energy your facility uses, the less money that you will have to spend on energy costs. So, how much money can you actually save?  According to ENERGY STAR, industrial facilities can reduce their energy usage by up to 30 percent simply by using more energy-efficient technologies and business practices.

2. Identify Equipment Problems

An energy audit can also help to identify any issues that your equipment might have. For example, the auditor could find small leaks in your compressed air system. These leaks would cost you a significant amount of money if you didn’t know about them until a major problem presented itself later down the line.

Auditors can also detect dangerous health risks like the carbon monoxide that’s emitted from equipment that hasn’t been vented properly. With a regular energy audit, you will be able to address these kinds of issues promptly to help ensure the health and safety of your staff members.

3. Increased Employee Comfort

During your audit, you might learn about changes that you can make regarding insulation and air sealing. Completing these enhancements will help create a more reliable and more efficiently cooled or heated space for you and your employees. In turn, more comfortable employees tend to be more productive, so not only will you save on energy costs, but you may also improve overall profitability for your business.

4. Personalized Recommendations for Your Business

Working with an energy expert can help you learn about new energy-efficient technologies you wouldn’t have otherwise known about. The professional will customize a plan just for your business, recommending which upgrades will give you the most return on your investment. These might include updated lighting systems, a new HVAC system, weatherization measures like insulation and air sealing, and more. While some of the recommendations might have a substantial up-front cost, you should remember that many of them will pay for themselves in a short period of time with significantly reduced energy expenses.

5. Show Your Environmental Concern

By taking steps to be more energy efficient, you will be showing your employees and clients that your company cares about the impact that you’re making on the environment. This may help you reach those customers who are looking to work with an environmentally conscious business.

6. Increased Property Value

Using the recommendations of an energy auditor to make your facility more energy efficient could also help to increase its overall worth. Things like solar panels, high-efficiency LED lighting, and weatherization procedures are all things that contribute to a higher property value, so it is definitely in your best interest to go as “green” as your budget will allow.

7. Longer Equipment Lifespan

An energy auditor might recommend that you update some of your equipment for maximum energy savings. If you decide to upgrade, you will not only save on energy costs, but you can also expect the equipment to last a long time. This is because newer, more energy-efficient equipment doesn’t have to work as hard as older, outdated units to provide the same level of performance.

What Are Some Common Energy Wasters?

Some things at your facility waste more energy than others. Here are some of the most common issues an auditor might point out:

  • Leaving lights, computers, and other equipment on 24/7
  • Air leaks in equipment hoses or connections
  • Doors or windows that haven’t been properly weatherized
  • Using personal heaters or fans instead of the HVAC system
  • Inefficient lighting
  • Poorly performing air compressors
  • Outdated equipment or controls

All of these things use more energy than they should. You can control your costs by upgrading to more energy-efficient equipment, performing regular inspections and maintenance, and being smart about your overall energy usage. For example, machinery accounts for the largest part of industrial energy consumption. You can control expenses by using heavy machinery in off-peak hours when energy rates are lower. Switching to off-peak hours will not only cut down on energy waste, but it will also provide your business with enormous savings over time.

Who Performs an Energy Audit?

When it comes to an energy audit, you’ll find it best to work with an unbiased professional who has no ties to your company. Hire an outside contractor for the job, and you will soon be on your way to massive energy savings. These highly trained contractors have the necessary knowledge to inspect your power systems, identify problems, provide recommendations, and estimate potential savings for your business.

How Much Does an Energy Audit Cost?

The cost of an energy audit varies widely for each business. Generally, it depends on the sq. ft. of your facility and the level of assessment that you’re looking for. A basic assessment includes an analysis of your energy costs as well as general recommendations on how to decrease them. You pay more for an extensive evaluation that projects your energy savings by item. However, there are certain tax credits, rebates, and other incentives that you can qualify for by performing an energy audit. Check with your local power company to learn more.

Call Valley Power Systems for Business Energy Efficiency

Do you want to make sure your business is reaping the maximum benefits of energy efficiency? To learn more, contact us at Valley Power Systems. We are your source for everything power-related in California.