Tips to Reduce Energy Expenses

With the recent Xcel Energies cost increase, Colorado still has a few dreary months ahead. What this means for businesses is enduring more months of skyrocketing energy expenses. For many large and small businesses, if relief isn't obtained soon, the business climate is going to stay severely chilled.

To help lessen the nippiness of rising overhead costs, consider the following energy saving tips discussed on the Colorado Energy Assistance Foundation's Web site, www.ceaf.org:

• Get used to wearing a sweater. Setting your temperature at a point where it's comfortable with a sweater on will help keep the room temperature at an appropriate level. It also is efficient to lower your thermostat at least 5 degrees when your business isn't occupied or when you are asleep.
• Cut the draft. The use of caulking or weather stripping to seal air leaks around doors, windows and pipes can make your business more energy efficient. You can also line plastic along your windows to keep the cold air out.
• Dress your windows with blinds. When the sun is out, window coverings should be open to absorb the sun rays; however, when it's cold or gray out, close them to keep the heat in and block the cold air.
• Practice light management. Leaving the lights on in an unoccupied room is just like draining your money in a slot machine in Las Vegas - but it's less fun. Some helpful money and light savers include choosing light colored lamp shades that don't obstruct the light and using occupancy sensors, which automatically turn lights off when you leave the room.
• Be energy conscious even in the summer. Just because it's nice outside doesn't mean your energy woes will be over. Many of the measures you should take to keep the cold out, such as weather stripping and using window coverings, are as efficient to keep the hot air out. For additional cooling, ceiling fans, whole house fans and evaporative coolers are the most energy efficient cooling systems.

For more information on energy saving tips for your business and personal life, visit www.ceaf.org or call Xcel Energies at 303-571-3434.