First step is to always institute an Energy Awareness Program

HVAC System (Heater and A/C)

• Make sure your HVAC system(s) is the correct size for the building
• Tune your HVAC equipment yearly, with this, make sure it is clean and free of debris and blockage
• Install programmable thermostats
• Limit who has access to the thermostats
• Relocate thermostats to optimal locations
• Periodically calibrate thermostats, make sure thermostat setting equals actual space temperature
• Change your air filter regularly, usually every 2-3 months
• Set thermostat to 78°F in the summer and 68°F in the winter - energy usage increases 6% to 8% for each degree  
• Adjust thermostats to avoid energy use when your office is closed, optimize start off and end time, consider coasting last hour of operations
• Adjust ventilation in low or unoccupied spaces
• Outside A/C units or condensers should be in the shade and free from debris
• Use ceiling or portable fans; a room can be cooled by 4 to 6 degrees with the use a fan
• Check for leaks and seal heating and cooling ducts, attic access area, also recessed lighting
• Make sure your attic is properly insulated
• A lower temperature on your thermostat will not cool your building faster; the temperature set is just the target comfort zone that you set for your A/C
• Install VFD Variable Frequency Drives and VAV Variable Air Volume Systems
• Install heat recovery equipment (enthalpy wheels, heat pipes) to optimize conditioning of ventilated air
• Do not use humidifiers or evaporator coolers in addition to your A/C 

Water Heater 

• Set the temperature of your hot water heater to 120°F
• Insulate water heater with an approved hot water heating insulation kit that can be found at your local hardware store or home improvement center
• Drain you water heater tank regularly to remove sediment build upInsulate warm water pipes
• Install low flow faucets, toilets and shower heads
• Keep all faucets free from leaks, especially hot water leaks because they are continuously using energy to reheat the water that is being lost 

Lighting 

• Turns lights off when you leave a room
• Replace incandescent (the common round ones) light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs and HIDConvert T12 to T8 and T5
• Use high efficiency LED EXIT signs
• Install timer controls, photocells or motion sensors for exterior lighting
• Use workstation task lighting 

Electrical Equipment/Computers 

• Turn off electrical equipment/appliances when not in use
• Use power strips, even when turned off, most electronics and appliances continue to consume electricity when plugged in
• Don’t leave chargers for cell phones, MP3 players, cameras, etc… plugged in when not in use
• Turn off computer when not in use
• Use power strips for your computer and its related equipment and turn them off here, too
• Turn off printers, copiers, faxes when not in use
• Set the sleep mode for your computer for a few minutes after being idle instead of more, such as half an hour 

Appliances

• Unplug any refrigerator or freezers that are not in use
• Keep the condenser coils on the back of your refrigerator and freezer clean
• Keep your refrigerator and freezer full, they operate most efficiently this way
• Only run a dishwasher with a full load
• Turn off the heated dry setting on your dishwasher and use the air dry setting instead
• Turn off coffee maker/warming plate when not in use  

Ventilate, Insulate, and Weatherize  

• Proper attic ventilation will reduce temperature and moisture buildup
• Reduce air leaks in your building by caulking, sealing and weather-stripping all seams and openings to the outside
• Consult a local nursery,  trees and shrubbery can add shade that cools your building during the summer and can be a wind block during the winter
• Replace single pane windows with energy efficient windows or add solar shading or tinting film
• Use shades or curtains to block the sun and heat during warm summer weather
• Install or repair weather stripping or door sweeps
• Insulate rim joist 

Janitorial Practices 

• Clean one floor at a time
• Clean during working hours 

Commercial Food  

• Turn off equipment not in use
• Create a start up and shut down schedule for all equipment
• Position your cooling equipment as far away as possible from your cooking equipment so refrigerators/freezers do not have to work harder to keep cool
• Do not keep refrigerators/freezers temperature settings lower than necessary, this can waste energy
• Keep doors shut and seals tight on cooling equipment, continued opening and closing causes temperature fluctuations and the unit to work harder to cool down
• Perform scheduled maintenance on the units  

Upgrade Outdated Appliances with Energy Efficient Models 

• Buy energy efficient office appliances and equipment: refrigerators, copiers, computers, monitors, etc…
• Visit the Energy Star website for more information www.energystar.gov 
• Upgrade a refrigerator that is 10+ years old – a new Energy Star approved refrigerator uses about half of the energy of a 10-year old conventional model
• Consider a tank less water heater, they heat water as it is used and are up to 45% more efficient
• Replace your central A/C system if is 7+ years old – an Energy Star approved A/C can use 20% less energy than your old one