Give Your Building a Holiday Too

MADISON, Wis., Nov. 30, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Is your unoccupied building scheduled to work full-time over the holidays? Focus on Energy, Wisconsin's statewide program for energy efficiency and renewable energy, has six simple ways businesses can save energy and money during holiday breaks this season.

1. Turn the thermostat down. For each eight-hour period, businesses can save 1 percent on heating costs for each degree they lower the thermostat.
2. Turn off equipment. This can be done manually or automatically. For the latter option, businesses may want to consider "smart" power strips that sense the absence of workers and turn equipment on and off accordingly.
3. Unplug equipment. Even if all appliances are turned off, they continue to draw a small amount of energy if they remain plugged in. This phantom load, though relatively small, can quickly add up.
4. Control "holiday glow." Lights in a building that are not needed for security are prime targets to be turned off. Holiday breaks are a great time to ensure all security lights are correctly timed. (And, don't forget to place holiday lights on a timer or turn them off.)
5. Get occupants involved. Ask employees for energy-saving ideas and notify them of the ongoing efforts to reduce energy consumption. In addition, this could be the first step in indentifying an energy team.
6. Make a list and check it twice. Walking through your unoccupied building to ensure all holiday energy-saving measures are in place not only offers peace of mind, it also helps in identifying unnecessary equipment still in operation. If equipment is running, make sure to explore all options before hitting the off switch as some equipment could be running for a legitimate reason.

Learn More

Focus has helped Wisconsin businesses and residents save more than $319 million in annual energy costs since 2001! Visit http://www.focusonenergy.com or call 800.762.7077 for more information.

About Focus on Energy

Focus on Energy works with eligible Wisconsin residents and businesses to install cost-effective energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. Focus information, resources, and financial incentives help to implement projects that otherwise would not be completed, or to complete projects sooner than scheduled. Its efforts help Wisconsin residents and businesses manage rising energy costs, promote in-state economic development, protect our environment, and control the state's growing demand for electricity and natural gas. For more information call 800.762.7077 or visit focusonenergy.com.

SOURCE Focus on Energy

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