These simple steps don't cost a thing, but can potentially save you 10-25% on your monthly energy bill.

No Cost Tips

• Keep the thermostat at 78-80 degrees when people are in the building, 85 degrees at night and on weekends during the cooling season. In the heating season, keep the temperature at 68 degrees when people occupy the building, 55-60 degrees at night and on weekends.
  
• Turn down the water heater to 120 degrees.
  
• Make sure outdoor lighting is turned off during the day.
• Don't use screen savers - they prevent CPUs and monitors from going into power-saver mode.
• Make sure equipment is turned off overnight and weekends. Use the energy saving feature on printers, monitors, copiers, and computers if the option is available.
  
• Make double-sided copies whenever possible.
  
• Allow your workers to wear comfortable clothing during hot weather. It makes little sense to keep a room cold enough that workers must wear suits and coats.
  
• To save energy, keep exterior and freight doors closed as much as possible.
  
• Make sure that bulbs, fixtures, lenses, lamps and reflective surfaces are cleaned regularly. By removing grease, dust and other dirt, you can increase the output of your lights.
  
• Remove under desk space heaters.

Low Cost Tips

There are plenty of low cost, easy to do projects or steps you can do to save another 10-25% on your energy bill.

• Repair any leaky faucets promptly.
  
• Plant trees on south and west sides of the building.
  
• Use ceiling fans to keep the air moving. They can make it feel at least four degrees cooler.
  
• Install low-flow showerheads in any on-site shower facilities.
  
• Faucet aerators should be installed in restrooms.
  
• Install low-water-use dishwashing equipment if a cafeteria is located on site.
  
• Make sure doors to the outside have enough weather stripping.
  
• Caulk windows.
  
• Use drapes, shutters, or window film to prevent heat loss and heat gain.
  
• Change the furnace filters monthly.
  
• Replace existing exit signs with more efficient LED exit signs.
  
• Install a programmable thermostat. Consider a locking cover over the thermostat to avoid having employees change temperature settings.
  
• Insulate water heaters and supply pipes.
  
• If there is a cafeteria in your building, consider replacing broilers with smooth or grooved griddles... your energy consumption will be significantly reduced.
  
• Use insulated night covers on display cases.

Low Cost Tips

With the help of a contractor, these steps could potentially save you another 25% on your monthly bill. Remember to do your research before you sign a contract or put down a deposit.

• Change incandescent bulbs to compact fluorescent bulbs. Use T-8 fluorescence in overhead lighting.
  
• Use electronic ballasts. They increase fluorescent lamp efficiency by up to 25% and increase light output by 10-15%.
  
• Install skylights and use less artificial lighting.
  
• Make sure there is enough insulation above the ceiling and in the walls.
  
• Consider installing double pane or storm windows.
  
• Install low-emissivity coatings to windows. Low-e coating is a thin transparent coating of silver or tin oxide on the glass surface or on a suspended plastic film, which lets short-wavelength sunlight pass through, but blocks longer-wavelength heat radiation.
  
• Purchase ENERGY STAR®-labeled products. For more information and a list of vendors, visit the Energy Star Web site at: http://www.energystar.gov/.
• Install occupancy sensors and timers for lighting. Some areas that are used sporadically, such as offices, restrooms, and supply rooms, are good candidates for using sensors or timers. Lights are only on when someone is in the room, reducing unnecessary energy use.
  
• Install an air conditioning economizer to bring in outside air when it's cool.
  
• Install ground source heat pumps, which transfer heat between the building and the ground. Despite the installation costs, they have low operating costs.