Right around this time of year, business owners typically get a bad case of “sticker shock” when their winter utility bills start to arrive.
Heating massive factories, warehouses, and other facilities can easily roll into the four or even five figures, depending on the size of the facility and the temperature on the thermostat.
In most cases, however, it doesn’t have to be that way. Most businesses can realize substantial utility cost savings by implementing a few simple cost-cutting solutions.
Switch to More Efficient HVAC Equipment
If you don’t remember when the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning equipment was installed in your facility, it could be time to replace it.
HVAC technology has improved greatly just in the past decade. So if your business is still using an antiquated, inefficient heating system to maintain a constant temperature, you may be spending too much and getting too little for your money.
Investing in HVAC isn’t cheap, but it’s one of the few capital improvements that can show its value in the form of lower power bills and a warmer, more productive work environment.
Insulation Pays Dividends
Another smart investment is insulation. If your plant or warehouse is poorly insulated, a lot of the heat you are paying for could be leaking right out of the roof, through the windows, under door frames, and even through the walls.
Insulation is relatively affordable, easy to install, and can offer significant savings on your heating bills.
Glazing your windows and skylights during the coldest months also can save money. Hot air rises. So the hot air being generated by your furnace or steam plant could be going straight up and out of your facility.
Don’t Heat Every Area
Storage areas that aren’t used regularly and don’t house products or other items that can freeze may be able to be shut off from the heat source.
Why pay to heat spaces in your warehouse that don’t absolutely need it?
You also can install separate thermostats in various regions of your warehouse so you can cut your costs in low-traffic areas while keeping areas where people are more likely be warm and toasty.
Encourage Workers to Dress Appropriately
The best way to combat cool temperatures is to wear warm clothing. Encourage your employees to wear jackets, sweaters, sweatshirts, fingerless gloves, wool hats, and other cold weather gear when working in your business.
While they may feel self-conscious at first, if everybody is doing it then the winter weather dress will soon become the norm.