Summer heat and humidity makes your air conditioning system work harder to keep your indoor environment comfortable and productive. This, in turn, can put plenty of extra heat on your energy budget. At the same time, extreme summer weather can disrupt business operations. Are you prepared? Take these steps to save money, stay cool and stay in business this summer.
Stay cool
Hot, humid weather can put a strain on your cooling system and make your indoor environment less comfortable. Take these measures to optimize system performance and indoor comfort.
- Hire a qualified professional to inspect and clean your cooling system. A tune-up will help spot any problems and ensure your system is operating efficiently.
- Increase building temperatures after hours to avoid wasting energy keeping your empty building comfortable. Optimize savings and convenience by installing smart thermostats, which automatically adjust temperatures based on your operating schedule.
- Keep vents unobstructed by furniture or equipment. This improves air flow and increases cooling system efficiency.
- Check windows and doors for leaks and seal them with caulk and weatherstripping. Seal and insulate ductwork. Air leaking through ducts reduces cooling system efficiency.
- Consult with a qualified insulation contractor to make sure your walls and ceiling are insulated to levels recommended for your climate zone by building energy codes.
Stay in business
Summer storms and lightning can damage your facility, interrupt operations and endanger staff. Take these steps to make sure your business is prepared.
- Review and update your emergency response plan. The plan should include procedures for building evacuation and crisis communications, as well as business closing and reopening.
- Update your contact information in My Account. Make sure we can reach you with outage alerts or other emergency notifications.
- Install power quality protection, such as surge protectors or UPS devices, to safeguard sensitive electronic equipment during summer storms or other power quality events.
- Make sure that you have a reliable source of backup power, such as a generator or energy storage device, available and in working condition. Perform all recommended testing and maintenance procedures.
With a little planning, you can reduce your energy costs and keep your business running smoothly all summer long.