Industrial Fuel Usage – How to Reduce Costs

How to Reduce Industrial Fuel Usage

Today’s ever-increasing diesel and gasoline prices have many industrial business owners concerned about their fuel consumption. By taking some proactive steps now, you can Fuel Usage and Costs in CA | Valley Power Systems significantly reduce fuel usage and save your company hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars each year.

7 Tips to Minimize Your Company’s Fuel Usage

There are many benefits to reducing your fuel consumption. You will be able to save on fuel costs, use machines more efficiently, reduce your carbon footprint, maximize engine life, and even improve safety in the workplace. To get started, consider these following seven tips:

1. Choose Solar Power

With a solar power system, you could reduce your dependence on your generator, which would help cut your fuel costs dramatically. While installing solar panels can seem like an expensive undertaking at first, there are many options available to business owners to help mitigate these costs, including valuable rebates and tax credits as well as competitive financing options. Plus, you’ll soon be earning back the money that you have spent in the form of much lower energy and fuel bills.

2. Use the Proper Grade of Oil

It’s important to follow the manufacturer’s recommendation for the type of oil your engine should be using. According to the Department of Energy, using the wrong grade can lower your gas mileage by 1 to 2 percent, which will definitely add up to a lot of wasted fuel over time. Oil should be changed every 3,000-5,000 miles to experience optimal efficiency.

3. Check Tire Pressure

The tires of your service vehicles should be regularly inspected to ensure they are properly inflated. This will not only improve fuel economy by as much as 3 percent, but it will also help your tires last longer, improve vehicle stability, and increase employee safety. If you’re unsure of the proper tire pressure, you’ll find that many manufacturers conveniently put it on a label inside the driver’s side door jamb. If you can’t find it, check the owner’s manual or ask a service technician.

4. Implement Efficient Driving Practices

Whether you have one company vehicle or dozens, your business can save a lot of money on fuel costs by ensuring employees are using efficient driving practices. This includes:

Maintaining the speed limit:Vehicles traveling at a faster speed will use more fuel than slower vehicles, so it is essential to drive the speed limit to minimize your fuel consumption.
Avoid unnecessary idling:Idling is a major source of fuel waste. If you turn on an engine but won’t be operating the vehicle right away, you’re simply wasting fuel. You can save fuel—and money—by waiting to switch on the engine until you’re ready to drive.
Utilizing cruise control:Constantly shifting speeds results in excess fuel usage, but cruise control allows you to better manage this issue on highways where speeds are more regulated. Since you won’t be continually pressing on that accelerator, you won’t be consuming as much fuel when you’re using the cruise control.
Minimizing AC use: When the heat outside isn’t unbearable, you might consider turning down the AC system or switching it off altogether in favor of rolling down the vehicle’s windows to let some air in. Reducing your AC usage will pay off with improved fuel economy.

5. Invest in Hybrid Solutions

Hybrid units are a battery that is charged by solar, wind, and other renewable power sources in combination with a fuel-powered generator. Investing in one will allow you to use more eco-friendly practices to supply power to your machines while reducing the need to operate your main generator at all times. You can save on fuel and energy by electing to use a hybrid system for those times when you have lower power requirements, such as overnight or during weekends.

6. Improve Employee Awareness

One of the best ways to improve your fuel consumption is to ensure that your employees are knowledgeable of the best energy practices for your company. After all, employees are responsible for the day-to-day operation of your engines, so they should be aware of the importance of cutting fuel expenses. Consider creating a training for new and existing employees that details what your major fuel wasters are and also emphasizes what they can do as individuals to minimize usage. This will help give them a sense of accountability and understanding of their role in reducing fuel consumption for the company.

7. Get Periodic Maintenance

Routine maintenance is crucial to keeping your fuel costs as low as possible. A poorly maintained engine is simply less efficient because it is forced to work harder to perform the same function as a well-maintained one. Depending on engine type and model, maintenance should be conducted at least on a quarterly basis. It’s best to follow a set maintenance schedule as recommended by the manufacturer. Most maintenance plans will include:

Filter change:Clogged air filters restrict air flow to the engine, causing increased fuel usage and unnecessary wear and tear of engine components. You should have filters cleaned regularly and then changed at every maintenance check for optimum air flow.
Oil change:Over time, oil can begin to break down and cause a buildup of engine sludge, which will negatively impact engine performance. Fresh oil changes at routine intervals will help to prevent sludge and keep your engine running smoothly.
Replacing spark plugs:Depending on your engine type, you may need to change out the spark plugs to ensure consistent performance.
Engine inspection: Your maintenance technician should also check all components of the engine, including any connections that could be loose or corroded. Fixing these sooner rather than later will help you avoid an unnecessary engine failure.

Providing Power Solutions in California

With the above tips, you can cut fuel costs and increase the overall efficiency of your industrial facility. To learn more, don’t hesitate to contact the knowledgeable staff at Valley Power Systems today. We’re proud to serve businesses throughout California, and we look forward to working with you for your power needs.

Today’s ever-increasing diesel and gasoline prices have many industrial business owners concerned about their fuel consumption. By taking some proactive steps now, you can significantly reduce fuel usage and save your company hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars each year.

7 Tips to Minimize Your Company’s Fuel Consumption

1. Choose Solar Power

2. Use the Proper Grade of Oil

3. Check Tire Pressure

4. Implement Efficient Driving Practices

Whether you have one company vehicle or dozens, your business can save a lot of money on fuel costs by ensuring employees are using efficient driving practices. This includes:

Maintaining the speed limit:Vehicles traveling at a faster speed will use more fuel than slower vehicles, so it is essential to drive the speed limit to minimize your fuel consumption.
Avoid unnecessary idling:Idling is a major source of fuel waste. If you turn on an engine but won’t be operating the vehicle right away, you’re simply wasting fuel. You can save fuel—and money—by waiting to switch on the engine until you’re ready to drive.
Utilizing cruise control:Constantly shifting speeds results in excess fuel usage, but cruise control allows you to better manage this issue on highways where speeds are more regulated. Since you won’t be continually pressing on that accelerator, you won’t be consuming as much fuel when you’re using the cruise control.
Minimizing AC use: When the heat outside isn’t unbearable, you might consider turning down the AC system or switching it off altogether in favor of rolling down the vehicle’s windows to let some air in. Reducing your AC usage will pay off with improved fuel economy.

5. Invest in Hybrid Solutions

Hybrid units work with a battery charged by solar, wind, and other renewable power sources in combination with a fuel-powered diesel or gas generator. Investing in hybrid solutions allows you to use a eco-friendly power supply that reduces operation of your main generator. Use a hybrid system during times when you have lower power requirements, such as overnight or during weekends.

6. Improve Employee Awareness

One way to improve your fuel consumption is by educating your employees on the best energy practices for your company. Employees are responsible for the daily operation of your engines. They should be knowledgeable and aware of the importance of cutting fuel expenses. Consider training new and existing employees on your company’s major fuel wasters while emphasizing what processes will minimize individual usage. This will help give them a sense of accountability and role in reducing fuel consumption for the company.

7. Get Periodic Maintenance

Routine maintenance is crucial to keeping your fuel costs as low as possible. A poorly maintained engine is less efficient. It’s forced to work harder to perform the same function as a well-maintained one. Depending on engine type and model, maintenance should be conducted at least on a quarterly basis. It’s best to follow a set maintenance schedule as recommended by the manufacturer. Most maintenance plans will include:

Filter change. Clogged air filters restrict air flow to the engine, increasing fuel usage and unnecessary wear plus tear of engine components. You should have filters cleaned regularly and then changed at every maintenance check for optimum air flow.
Oil change. Over time, oil begins to break down and cause a buildup of engine sludge, which negatively impacts engine performance. Fresh oil changes at routine intervals will help to prevent sludge and keep your engine running smoothly.
Replacing spark plugs. Depending on your engine type, you may need to change out the spark plugs to ensure consistent performance.
Engine inspection. Your maintenance technician should also check all components of the engine, including any connections that could be loose or corroded. Fixing these sooner rather than later will help you avoid an unnecessary engine failure.