The Types of Businesses that Consume the Most Energy
One of the costs that any business owner needs to take into account is its monthly energy consumption. Knowing that a type of business consumes perhaps more than its fair share of energy is the first step in determining how to reduce energy costs, and when to advise clients on how to become more energy efficient. Below, we’ll detail the types of businesses that consume the most energy.
Food-related brick and mortar businesses
Restaurants, convenience stores, and grocery stores are among the businesses that consume the most energy in order to comply with stringent storage requirements. From refrigeration, to having to consistently heat food and keep other appliances going, these businesses are heavy energy consumers. One way to help reduce energy consumption is more energy-efficient appliances and storage units.
Car dealerships
Car dealerships are among the highest use businesses when it comes to energy consumption. The lights that they use to highlight their products – namely, vehicles – are often high energy users. Additionally, the computer systems and the security systems many car dealerships rely on are also high energy users, given how often they are put to the test in bringing out models and working to help customers. Another energy drain is any body shop or repair shop that is attached to the car dealership, especially if they conduct any sort of scheduled maintenance on the vehicles they sell and/or lease.
Manufacturing
Businesses that manufacture anything are often high users of energy, given the amount of electricity needed to run the machines that make the product, in addition to normal energy use of a large manufacturing and storage facility. For some manufacturers, investing in more efficient machines or hiring more personnel to do some tasks by hand could help reduce energy consumption.
Hotels, residential buildings, or office buildings
One of the largest users of energy when it comes to businesses are hotels, residential buildings, or office buildings. With frequent use of lights, heating and cooling systems, and power to run computer systems, televisions, or other facilities, these buildings are often hugely dependent on the energy grid. Some of these facilities can use less power through timers, temperature regulators, or other systems that reduce regular power consumption.
No matter the type of business that consumes a large amount of energy, there are ways to be mindful of that consumption and work to reduce it.
How Do Smart Home Devices Affect Energy Consumption?
For so many people, part of the pain of owning or renting a home, condo, or apartment is the energy bill that comes monthly. In previous years, some devices were energy wasters no matter which brand was purchased by the consumer and led to higher energy bills. In recent years, smart home devices have not only become more ubiquitous, but more affordable as well. Now within the reach of most Americans, the question on the minds of consumers is often: how do smart home devices affect energy consumption? Below, we’ll detail how to talk to clients about how smart home devices affect energy consumption, depending on the device.
Smart lighting
One of the most obvious energy users in your home is smart lighting. During stormy summers and dreary winters, lighting provides the brightness that powers your life, productivity, and time with family. Before, one used to have to turn lights on or off only, and even then it was dependent on a person remembering. How many times have people rushed out the door to an important meeting or appointment to remember they left the hall light on, or left their outdoor lights on from the night before? Smart lighting can help you by being set on a schedule or motion detection that that turns off when you’re not there, saving you time, hassle, and money. Additionally, they can also help overall energy usage even when the lights are on, given that smart lighting is often more energy efficient overall and you get the same amount of lighting for less energy usage. This smart home device will affect your energy consumption in a noticeable way.
Smart Thermostats
Previously, thermostats were generally all the same and did not offer much flexibility in the way of changing temperatures unless at will. Over time, digital thermostats provided some more precision for homeowners or renters, but were largely the same. Luckily, smart thermostats can help you reduce costs in a natural way where the thermostat learns your rhythms, and heats and cools at appropriate times. Additionally, some systems could be programmed to cool less at night or heat less during the day, when temperatures are less extreme, as another way to generate cost and energy savings. This smart home device will positively affect your energy consumption by reducing a large user of energy in your home.
Smart home devices are here to stay, and they positively affect energy consumption in clients’ homes both in the short and long term. Using the information above, you’ll be able to ensure your customers have the information they need on another way to reduce their overall energy consumption and save money.