APS has enough power to use, but not enough to waste. Conservation is still important everywhere. This information on energy conservation comes from Dan Emerson of Plants Sites and Parks Magazine from their www.bizsites.com web site. It is ten ways to reduce and conserve energy.

The cost and supply of energy have become major concerns across the United States. Supplies and prices have stabilized in recent months, but that hasn’t lessened the need for a sensible approach to energy management. Try these common-sense steps to reduce energy consumption in an office or industrial building.

1. Perform an energy audit.

Energy audits use software to analyze energy use, evaluate lighting, heating and air conditioning systems and recommend ways to improve efficiency.

2. Follow maintenance schedules.

To maximize energy efficiency, adhere to manufacturers’ recommended maintenance schedules for HVAC systems, or any equipment used in manufacturing or warehouse operations.

3. Upgrade your lighting.

Lighting typically accounts for 15 percent to 45 percent of the overall electricity used. Advances in technology in recent years, such as T-8 fluorescent lights, help lower electricity costs.

4. Reduce air infiltration.

Leakage of cold air into a building through cracks, gaps around doors and windows can account for up to one-fourth of yearly space-heating energy consumption. Reduce or eliminate infiltration by: replacing broken or cracked window panes, caulking cracks around windows and doors, adding weather-stripping and making sure that latches and sealing gaskets on all windows are working properly.

5. Check building insulation.

To reduce heating and cooling costs, make sure insulation is of the proper R-value, based on the local climate. Lack of roof insulation is the most common insufficiency. Insulating pipes that carry steam, hot air or heated or chilled water is another way to reduce energy consumption.

6. Shop around.

The advent of the Internet and utility deregulation have made it possible for companies to look beyond local providers to buy electricity from online energy facilitators. Make sure you are getting the best service, power quality and price from your electric provider

7. Check your AC.

By replacing an older air-conditioning system with a more energy-efficient model, you can substantially reduce electricity consumption and also eliminate the impact of CFC refrigerants on the environment. You can achieve payback periods of as little as two years.

8. Rethink your layout.

A more efficient floor plan can play a major role in reducing energy consumption. Reducing distance or resistance involved in conveying goods, pumping liquids, distributing air or similar processes will yield energy efficiencies.

9. Consider co-generation.

With the development of more efficient, small turbines, concurrent generation of electrical and thermal energy has become a viable option. One of the most common types of co-generation systems is a boiler system equipped with a steam turbine. Make sure the project is right for your operation with a reasonable payback.

10. Hire an energy manager.

Energy management companies provide energy retrofitting and building management services, guaranteeing certain annual savings that are used to pay the cost of the improvements and management services over the course of a multi-year contract. Many firms use the Internet to provide real-time, "remote" system management and consumption monitoring.

Arizona is one of the "Sizzlin States" identified by Plants, Sites and Parks. For more information on Arizona as a sizzlin place to locate your business, go to http://www.bizsites.com/2001/fm2001/arizona.html

Some of these steps require more investment of time and; even relatively simple improvements can add up to significant energy savings.

Some of these steps require more investment of time and even relatively simple improvements can add up to significant energy savings.

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