No matter your business size or type, you can take steps to manage your energy use and lower your energy costs. Here are six tips to help your business save:

• Conduct an energy audit. An energy audit helps businesses identify ways to save energy, such as by updating equipment, shifting energy use to off-peak hours or using renewable energy.
• Invest in energy-efficient equipment. Inefficient equipment works harder, resulting in higher bills. Energy-efficient equipment may cost more than standard models at the time of purchase, but they result in significant savings over the long term. Consider upgrading your old equipment to ENERGY STAR® certified models to help lower your bills. Washington Gas offers in Maryland and Virginia that can help make new equipment more affordable.
• Switch to a smart thermostat. A smart thermostat can automatically adjust the temperature at your workplace when no one is around. Reducing your heating and cooling usage can result in significant savings for your business. Virginia business customers can now receive a $75 rebate per Energy Star certified smart thermostat.
• Search and seal small drafts. Search your building for any drafts of air and seal them. Drafts, no matter how small, can result in increased heating and cooling costs throughout the year.
• Establish a preventative maintenance program. Schedule maintenance checks for your heating, venting and air conditioning equipment to help prevent issues. Clean your air filters monthly and promptly replace defective equipment insulation, ducting and piping.
• Keep temperatures moderate during the winter and summer. In winter, set the thermostat to 65–68 degrees during business hours and to 60–64 degrees after hours. In the summer, set the thermostat to 78–80 degrees during business hours and above 80 degrees after hours.

Save Even More with Rebates from Washington Gas

Washington Gas offers incentives in Maryland and Virginia on high-efficiency natural gas equipment to businesses, local government entities and other commercial customers to help lower your energy use and costs.