The Hidden Costs of Commercial Energy Waste

You’re probably spending way too much money on your monthly power bill.

Without a well-informed approach and the right technologies in place, America’s aging commercial buildings are inclined to operate ineffectively and use far more power than necessary. The Environmental Protection Agency and ENERGY STAR report that 30 percent of the energy used by commercial buildings is wasted, meaning it’s going toward inefficient operations or being consumed unnecessarily.

This ineffective use of power translates to energy bills that are higher than they should be—and presents a substantial source of savings for those who decide to address their energy waste.

Can you imagine what cutting your energy spending by nearly a third could do for your financial bottom line?

It’s a transformative opportunity for savings that can benefit building owners, taxpayers, and your business. While eliminating energy waste entirely would be a tall task, there are quite a few straightforward steps you can take to reduce the amount of excess power you use.

Keep reading for a closer look at several key sources of commercial energy waste and the most effective ways to address them.

Understanding and Identifying Commercial Energy Waste

We repeat it often: Commercial buildings are responsible for a considerable amount of U.S. energy use.?

Perhaps unsurprisingly, they’re also responsible for significant energy waste, and a few common culprits are virtually always among the major causes. Spaces that are heated excessively or ineffectively, poorly maintained airflow, and lighting inefficiencies are some of the most noteworthy operational weaknesses that can result in major expenses.

Without close attention, these everyday necessities are placing undue financial stress on American businesses. Our buildings (and our budgets) stand to benefit from improvements and modernizations that may not be flashy, but have the potential to make a real difference in energy performance.

In fact, the U.S. Department of Energy points toward improved efficiency as a key savings opportunity for the country’s nearly six million commercial buildings. The Better Buildings Challenge sets a goal for participating buildings to reduce emissions by at least 20 percent.

The program offers real-life case studies of improvements to heating, lighting, energy systems, and many other areas that have effectively reduced energy waste. These improvements span sectors from commercial real estate and data centers to government and higher education.

Taking Action to Address Wasteful Operations

For businesses that haven’t yet put much thought into their own energy efficiency, there are two clear areas to analyze first that will likely yield a significant impact: heating and lighting.

Heating is responsible for nearly a third of commercial buildings’ energy consumption, and it provides a clear starting point for those looking to cut wasteful energy use. Of course, this commonly involves adjustments in spaces being heated to excessive levels or during unnecessary hours. Still, it can also include steps like ensuring windows are properly sealed to prevent heat loss and scheduling regular maintenance on HVAC systems for optimized performance.

Lighting presents similar opportunities as a second major factor in energy waste. Transitioning to energy-efficient lights and identifying ways to avoid unnecessary use are straightforward routes to cutting power expenditures.

Still searching for the right first step? There are easy ways to get started and identify meaningful changes within your reach. ENERGY STAR has a checklist for commercial buildings covering heating, lighting, daily operations, and other measures to minimize energy waste.

Additional Steps to Maximize Energy Efficiency

The effort to waste less energy is an impactful way to minimize unnecessary spending, and it doesn’t have to stop there. By building a stronger network of power resources to serve your business, you’ll set yourself up to save money on a monthly basis. Plus, costly crises can be avoided, making it much easier to bypass unexpected expenses.

Catalyst Power’s energy resources, including its Connected Microgrid? solution and Community Solar, allow you to harness renewable power generated on your own property or in the surrounding community. These solar solutions consistently undercut the costs of other energy sources and don’t require power to be carried a long distance before reaching its end user. (While this may sound like an in-the-weeds technical detail, it has real consequences: Energy transmission and distribution costs have risen significantly in recent years.)

Additional services provide even more ways to refine your energy spending. Battery storage allows you to capture excess solar energy and utilize it later. Our Cogeneration service, also known as combined heat and power (CHP), produces both electricity and heat simultaneously, significantly reducing energy waste and maximizing efficiency.

Each approach begins with—you guessed it—energy efficiency. Our Energy Experts analyze your current energy use, look for opportunities to improve performance, and develop a tailored solution to optimize your operations.

Regardless of the specific approach that most effectively serves your business, our goal remains the same: helping you save money. This guarantee starts on day one and continues throughout the duration of your agreement with Catalyst Power.

Don’t begin another year, letting unnecessary energy costs inflate your expenses. Get started by searching for ways to reduce energy waste in your own building, then get in touch with our Energy Experts and see how you can take your efficiency to the next level!