Ever feel like your business is using a little more power than it should be? Well you might just be right. Many businesses have hidden power drains that go unnoticed in their equipment or processes. These drains draw small amounts of power over long periods of time—meaning higher power bills down the line. Ouch.
Finding a power drain is like trying to find a leak in your plumbing. But with a few simple hacks you can find out exactly where you’re losing power and fix the problem. Let’s take a look at what power drains are and how you can find them.
What are power drains?
Power drains are sources of excessive energy consumption within your business, such as outdated lighting systems, inefficient HVAC systems, office equipment left running or in standby mode, poorly insulated buildings, and appliances in break rooms. These power drains are often overlooked, but they contribute to significantly higher energy bills and reduced operational efficiency. Even small devices, when multiplied across an entire office, can collectively consume a lot of power.
How to identify power drains in your business
You’re going to have to get smart to pinpoint exactly where you’re losing energy. Luckily you have plenty of tools at your disposal. Let’s take a look at some ways you can identify the power drains in your business.
1. Conduct an energy audit
Start with a comprehensive energy audit to assess your current energy usage. You can do an informal internal audit using guidelines and tools available online, or you can hire a professional auditor for an official audit. The audit will help you pinpoint areas of high energy consumption and inefficiency within your business operations.
2. Use energy-monitoring devices
Install smart meters and energy-management systems to continuously monitor your energy usage. These devices provide real-time data and detailed reports, making it easier to identify spikes in energy consumption and locate the specific equipment or processes responsible for these increases.
3. Inspect equipment and systems
Regularly check the condition and performance of your HVAC systems, lighting, office equipment, machinery, and other major appliances. Look for outdated or poorly maintained equipment that might be consuming more power than necessary. Ensure that all systems are operating efficiently and consider upgrading to more energy-efficient models.
4. Evaluate building insulation and sealing
Assess your building’s insulation and sealing to identify areas where energy might be escaping. Poor insulation and gaps around windows and doors can force your HVAC system to work harder, leading to higher energy consumption. Improving insulation and sealing can significantly reduce these power drains.
5. Review operational practices
Examine your business practices and employee habits that may contribute to energy waste. This includes leaving lights and equipment on when not in use, inefficient scheduling of HVAC systems, and unnecessary use of high-energy-consuming appliances. Implementing policies and training to promote energy-saving behaviors can help minimize these drains.
Stop power drains at the source
If you’ve done all you can and still feel that you can’t pinpoint why your power bill is so high, you can always get help from us at Electripure. Our experts can come inspect your facility and determine how you can best lower your monthly energy spend. Our proprietary CleanPQ smart meter can see into your energy usage to determine where you’re leaking energy and give you control over your power bill.
Electripure is on-call to help you control your power usage. Contact us today and we can come out to help you start getting the most out of the power you pay for.