How to Conduct a Simple Energy Evaluation: A Guide for Small Business Owners

Article by Dhaani Jeevanani

Why an Energy Tune-Up Matters

For small business owners, managing energy use efficiently is one of the most direct ways to cut operational costs and boost sustainability credentials. A basic energy evaluation—often called an energy audit—is designed to help you identify where energy is being wasted and which improvements offer the biggest return. Fortunately, you can conduct a simple, effective audit yourself with minimal resources and no need to hire an outside expert.

A 5-Step DIY Energy Evaluation

Follow these steps to find and fix energy waste in your workplace.

1. Understand Your Energy Bills

Start by gathering and reviewing your energy bills from the last 12 months. Look for trends across different seasons and identify any unexpected spikes in consumption. Make a note of which areas of your business are the biggest energy consumers. For most businesses, these are:

Heating and cooling (HVAC systems)
Lighting
Appliances and office equipment

2. Walk Through Your Workplace

Next, conduct a physical walkthrough of your office, store, or facility during operating hours and after everyone has gone home. Look for common energy-wasting issues:

Air leaks: Feel for drafts around windows, doors, and electrical outlets.
Poor insulation: Check for uninsulated walls or ceilings, especially in older buildings.
Running equipment: Take note of any machines, computers, or monitors left on when not in use.

3. Examine Lighting and Equipment

Focus on your fixtures and devices. Switching to LED lighting is a well-known quick win, as LEDs use up to 75% less energy and last much longer than incandescent bulbs. Also consider:

Installing motion sensors or timers in low-traffic areas like restrooms and storage rooms.
Using power strips to easily turn off multiple devices at once and eliminate "phantom load" from electronics left plugged in.
Checking the ENERGY STAR® rating when purchasing new appliances or office equipment.

4. Involve Your Team

Your employees can offer valuable insights into daily energy use and patterns you might miss. Encourage them to suggest improvements and help establish simple energy-saving practices, like a "power-down" checklist for the end of the day.

5. Set Goals and Track Progress

Once you’ve identified the problem areas, create a simple action plan with realistic, measurable goals (e.g., "reduce electricity consumption by 10% in the next quarter"). Track the changes in your utility bills over time to see the impact of your efforts.

Pro-Tip: Check with Your Utility Provider

Many local utility companies offer free or discounted energy audits for their business customers. They may also provide rebates or other financial incentives for upgrading to energy-efficient equipment. It's always worth a call to see what resources are available to you.

By conducting a simple energy evaluation, small business owners can take direct control of their energy costs, lower their carbon footprint, and create a more sustainable work environment.

Sources

Bionic. (n.d.). How to conduct a business energy audit to help lower your consumption. Retrieved from https://bionic.co.uk/business-energy/guides/business-energy-audit/

Integrity Energy. (2024, March 22). How to Conduct an Energy Audit in Your Office and Cut Costs. Retrieved from https://www.integrityenergy.com/blog/how-to-conduct-an-energy-audit-in-your-office-and-cut-costs/