Unlike residential electricity cost, that of commercial buildings in Utah is high. The Beehive State ranks sixteenth in an average monthly bill, according to Electrical Local. Most businesses pay over $600, while this amount is only 0.48% lower than the national average. Those who consume a lot could spend $3,200 every 30 days.
These figures can be much lower this summer because of the pandemic. You can operate at less capacity, and you might even need to turn the air-conditioning off for safety. Nevertheless, you can still do a lot of things to bring down your utility spending:
1. Get Someone to Inspect and Repair Your Electrical Wiring
If you haven’t had an electrician to check your electrical wiring, now is a good time while guests and staff are few. These specialists can inspect and repair the connection, if necessary.
One underrated reason for high electrical bills is electricity leakage. It happens when electricity coming from an appliance moves toward the neutral cable or the earth wire (the one connected to the ground that prevents anyone from getting an electric shock) from the correct path.
Although leakage is more common when appliances are already old, disintegrating electrical wires can also cause the same problem.
Businesses having this issue usually pay costly electricity for no discernable reason. One test to know if it’s a cause is to get a meter reading, turn off the power breaker, and recheck the meter. If the number continues to climb, you might have an electricity leakage.
2. Use Energy-Efficient Appliances
Energy-efficient commercial appliances usually bear a hefty price tag, but switching to these also provides the following benefits:
- Lower your energy consumption – Being energy efficient doesn’t change your electricity rates, but these appliances can use a lesser amount of energy. Homes alone can already save as much as 30% of power, and that can translate to reduced electricity costs.
- Maximize your tax incentives – To encourage Americans to use energy-efficient products, the government provides tax incentives. Federal tax credits for energy-efficient commercial establishments now extends to December 31, 2020.
- Reduce the risk of electricity leakage – Most energy-efficient appliances are new, which suggests that wires are still in excellent condition. The odds of experiencing electricity leakage is low.
3. Seal the Gaps
Thermostats are sensitive to ambient temperature. When it “feels” the room is hot, it could crank up the air-conditioning unit. It could do the same thing to a heater during winter. By setting them down to 7 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit for 8 hours every day can already save you 10% of your heating or cooling bill.
However, they would be less effective if you’re not sealing the gaps. These can cause hot or cold air from entering or leaving the space, driving humidity up in the summer or frigid temperatures in the winter.
Sealing them is uncomplicated, and you can do this yourself if you have some basic handyman skills. All you need is a caulk and a “gun,” which helps release the tube’s content as you work.
Electricity isn’t for free in Utah, but you might as well ensure you’re using every bit of it.
