Retailers Spend $20 Billion on Energy Each Year. Here's How They Can Save.
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According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, retail companies spend a whopping $20 billion on energy each year, but possess significant savings potential.
For instance, a 10 percent reduction in energy costs for the average full-line discount retailer could boost profit margins by 1.5 percent and sales per square foot by $25 dollars.
That's a major boon for the bottom line. So, how can retail companies begin to sharpen their energy performance and gain a competitive advantage?
Here are five proven energy saving tips for retail companies.
1. Change light bulbs.
Energy-efficient light bulbs — which include halogen bulbs, compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), and light emitting diodes (LEDs) — use up to 80 percent less energy than conventional lighting and can last up to 25 times longer.
2. Adjust the thermostat.
During normal business hours, keep an ambient temperature of 66 degrees Fahrenheit as overheated stores can reduce customer dwell time. For closed hours, turn up the temperature settings during warm seasons and down in cool seasons.
Helpful tip: in winter, turning down your thermostat by two degrees Fahrenheit can help cut overall energy use by 8 percent.
3. Reduce heating and cooling losses.
Install sensor operated doors to help prevent unnecessary heating and cooling losses.4. Put lights on a timer.
Timer switches that control display and work lighting could help save 10 percent on lighting costs.
5. Turn off the appliances.
Switching off cash registers and other appliances when the store is closed can help reduce a store's energy consumption by 5 percent.—
To learn more about how retail companies can improve their energy performance, check out this cool infographic.
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Posted: August 11, 2015
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