As a small business owner, you quickly realize that running your own business comes with many responsibilities and unexpected expenses. And, if your business resides in a traditional office space or storefront, energy and heating expenses tend to become one of your biggest (and less exciting) costs once the winter months arrive.
Here’s the thing: becoming more aware of your heating usage can only help you and your business save money. While it’s often not the first item on your to-do list, evaluating your heating and cooling system is the first step in ensuring you are not wasting unnecessary funds to keep your office and your employees warm and comfortable this winter.
Read below to learn more about how you and your business can save money on your heating bills this winter:
Evaluate Your Equipment
If your office is relying on an older HVAC system, it’s more than likely that your unit is not doing your heating bill any favors. Older HVAC systems are less energy efficient as well as require more maintenance and repairs. In short: if your office’s HVAC system is over 20 years old, it may be time to call in a trusted HVAC technician to evaluate your current equipment. An HVAC technician will be able to determine whether your equipment is operating properly and, if not, whether a replacement should be considered.
Get a Tune-Up
For HVAC units that have not reached the age of retirement, scheduling an annual tune-up is essential in ensuring that your equipment continues to function properly, avoiding unnecessary heating costs. During a signature CPS Furnace Tune-Up, a CPS technician will inspect every aspect of your furnace or boiler – from the combustion chamber to the air filter. This guarantees that each element of your heating system is working at its optimal capacity. Even something as simple as dust accumulation can impact the efficiency of your unit. An annual tune-up verifies that your system is working properly and your business can avoid unnecessarly expensive heating bills throughout the colder months.
Program Your Thermostats
When you and your employees are in the office, it’s likely that the question over the thermostat’s preferred temperature is a hotly debated topic (it is in our office!). However, it’s critical to remember that, no matter what the thermostat is set to during working hours, the temperature is reduced come 5 PM.
According to the California Energy Commission’s Consumer Energy Center, for every degree you drop your thermostat between 60- and 70-degrees, you will lower heating costs by 5%. Translated: lowering your thermostat actually makes a difference in your monthly energy and heating costs.
If you have a smart thermostat, be sure to set a programmed schedule that works with both your employees and your heating bill budget. When employees are in the office, 67°F is often an agreeable temperature. When away from the office or on weekends, we suggest setting each thermostat somewhere between 61°F to 58°F.
Consider a Replacement
If you’re noticing sustain increases to your heating bills this winter, you may be due for a replacement of your HVAC heating systems. Additionally, if your current equipment is requiring substantial maintenance and repairs, a replacement will save you and your business money in the long run. A new furnace is a long-term investment, but our HVAC technicians will help your business determine what unit meets your office’s needs as well as what model is the most energy-efficient, allowing you and your business to save on monthly energy costs.
And for CPS Heating and Cooling customers, our team is always ready to help you navigate both financing and Mass Save Heating Rebates.
Opening your heating bill each month should not cause unnecessary panic or anxiety. Luckily, there are methods to reduce your office’s heating bill, especially with a trusted HVAC technician to help. If you have questions regarding your heating bill or the efficiency of your office’s HVAC system, we’re always here to help answer your questions, evaluate your current system, and offer guidance on how best to approach maintenance, repairs, or replacement.
Stay warm!
Phil
CPS Heating and Cooling
Contact us anytime to set up a consultation or call us at 508-460-6691.
