Making your business more energy efficient will not only save you money now, but will make you much more competitive in the future. In fact, in addition to saving on utility bills, making your business more eco-friendly may qualify you for tax breaks and other incentives offered by your government.

Increasing your company's energy efficiency will make you more prepared for changes in energy policy and increasing energy costs.

There are many ways to increase the energy efficiency of your business. Some require simple adjustments and other routes require additional planning and initial investment. Whichever actions you choose, your business will benefit greatly.

Reduce Consumption
The first step you should take in reducing the energy consumption of your business is trimming back the use of energy-draining equipment. You can do this by turning off appliances when not in use. You can also optimize the energy settings of your workplace computers.

Perhaps, consider using printers that can perform double-sided printing for internal office documents. This will not only reduce energy consumption through less printing time, but will also drastically reduce your paper expenses.

Use Energy Smart Devices
Using devices that were designed with efficiency in mind can greatly reduce your energy consumption as well. For instance, try getting a smart multi-plug switch that can sense when connected machines are not being used or have been idle for a specific length of time and then automatically turn them off.

Switching out old incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs will also have a noticeable energy- saving effect. Though they are slightly more expensive, they provide more light, give off less heat and last much longer. You can also choose LED lamps that use 80% less energy but last 10 times longer than traditional bulbs.

Give Your Business an Energy Audit
Many local utility companies offer business owners a free energy audit. The utility company will inspect your business's energy efficiency and then instruct you on how you can reduce energy usage and save money on utility bills. They can instruct you on topics ranging from insulation to energy efficient products that will save you money each and every month.

Tint the Windows to Your Business
Did you know that your air conditioner is responsible for up to half of your electric bill? Surprisingly, many businesses either do not have tinted windows or the tint used is too light to be effective. Choosing a dark tint for exterior windows can have a very noticeable effect on your energy bills.

Tint keeps the sun from penetrating through the windows, thus keeping the inside of your business naturally much cooler. Your air conditioner will have to work much less, saving you a lot of money each and every month on your electric company rates.

There are numerous ways to increase the energy efficiency of your business. With rising energy costs, there is no better time than now to make the small changes that will save you money currently and in the long run.