Top 10 Low/No-Cost Tips to Cut Your Energy Bills Today

If your restaurant is like most, energy will typically account for three to 5 percent of your total operating expenses.   Taking charge of your energy use makes good sense today.   You'll be helping to lower your company's monthly power bills.  You'll also be helping to protect the environment.

Here are the quickest and easiest ways to start lowering your energy bills.  Following this advice will cost little or nothing, but the returns could surprise you.

1. Reduce air conditioning use during unoccupied hours.
2. Raise thermostat settings a few degrees during occupied hours.  If possible, minimize daylighting on hot afternoons.
3. Turn off air conditioning close to the end of your operating hours.
4. Turn off unneeded lights in offices and public areas.
5. When replacing bulbs, use lower wattage or compact fluorescent bulbs that are more efficient.   Dust and clean bulbs and lamp shades regularly.
6. Have your heating, air conditioning, cooking, icemakers, and refrigeration equipment periodically serviced and adjusted as needed.
7. Turn off equipment overnight and when not needed.
8. Check automatic controls for proper working condition and settings.
9. Lower water temperature settings; for hand washing, 105 degrees F is the recommended setting.
10. Control outdoor lighting, use only lighting necessary to do the job.

Want more help?  If you decide to seek a qualified professional to assist you in making energy-saving improvements, your electric utility company is likely to be your best starting point.

Your electric utility's representative will have historical data about energy use in your business.  They will also be able to objectively help you cut your energy costs with a full range of services.  And these are usually offered at little or no cost. 

Some ways your electric utility company may be able to help include:

1. Cash rebates given as incentives for purchasing or upgrading energy-efficient lighting, air conditioning, refrigeration, and water heating systems.
2. Direct load control programs, where you allow your electric company to cycle off or shut down big energy-using appliances and equipment for certain periods.  These programs are especially useful in the summer months on air conditioners and water heaters.
3. Low-interest loans to help you afford high-efficiency equipment.
4. New construction programs, offering incentives and training to encourage energy-saving designs and the use of higher efficiency equipment.
5. Energy audits, providing an analysis of your energy use and specific recommendations for energy savings.

For owners and operators who have restaurants throughout a region or the country, contacting  electric utilities can be a daunting logistical challenge. Edison Electric Institute's National Accounts Network makes this easier. The Network exists to serve multi-site facility operators. One National Accounts' executive at that utility's headquarters will serve them for all their locations. You won't waste time making phone calls, or dealing with utility reps at many individual utility offices. And you can be confident that your taking advantage of all the utility incentive programs and services your restaurants are entitled to--no matter where your locating a new site. Call your electric utility company, or visit their Web site for more details.