Don’t fall for energy vampires (or behind on your HVAC maintenance) this Fall. The results could leave you looking pale and lifeless after looking at your utility bills.
Every Autumn (and Spring) we remind our NJ Direct Install Program clients that keeping up with the routine maintenance and cleaning of their HVAC systems can prolong their efficiency and overall lifespan. While the leaves may look pretty in the lead-up to Winter, you need them to be cleaned off your systems.
Be sure to schedule a maintenance appointment with your assigned HVAC contractor, and if you don’t remember who that was, reach out to your Donnelly Energy project manager.
While you want to prolong the life of your HVAC units like a vampire), another problem lurks at your facility: Energy Vampires.
Energy vampires are unessential electronics whose phantom load (power that continued to drain while not in use) slowly sucks the money out of your wallet during off-hours, unbeknownst to yourself.
Don’t be like Bella Swan from Twilight: don’t fall for these vampires.
We made a helpful infographic that details how to slay your office’s energy vampires! Download and circulate it with your teammates so you can all be vampire slayers.
Knowing is half the battle. You want to identify the non-essential electronics that currently haunt your office during off hours.
Some common energy-draining culprits include:
- Battery Chargers (cell phones, laptops, cameras, power tools)
- Desktop Computers (desktops, extra monitors, modems)
- Office Equipment (printers, copiers, shredders, faxes)
- Breakroom Appliances (microwaves, coffee makers, TVs)
Once you’ve identified your local energy vampires, it’s time to slay them!
Ways to slay energy vampires include:
- Unplugging your energy vampires at the end of the day. Make this a company-wide team effort!
- Use power strips (extra points if it’s a wifi-enabled power stripe).
- Always invest in ENERGY STAR rated office equipment and appliances.
If phantom loads from electronics don’t seem to be a real issue for your office but you’re dealing with high utility bills, then these might be the culprits:
- Outdated lighting
- Older HVAC systems
- Heavy machinery
- Poor insulation
- Poor ventilation
How can you help offset the damage being done to your utility bills?
- Become energy efficient with Donnelly Energy (but honestly, energy-efficient lighting and HVAC systems are the way to go.)
- Turn off the lights at the end of the day (or install room sensors).
- Turn off your energy vampires every night.
- Invest in solar energy (We can help with that, too.)
Now you’re on the way to becoming the office’s energy vampire slayer and Energy Action Month hero!
ABOUT US
At Donnelly Energy, we’re elevating energy efficiency in New Jersey. Our mission? To empower businesses and local governments with cost-effective, sustainable solutions across lighting, HVAC, EV charging, and solar systems. With our exceptional team, we drive the transition to green energy, focusing on reducing both your energy bills and carbon footprint.
