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Empowering Small Business

Office

Office spaces often generate excessive energy waste. Cut energy costs, improve operational performance and increase worker productivity with these simple tips.

Savings Opportunities: Peak Demand Management

Discover ways to maximize energy savings, manage demand or develop a time-of-use action plan. Check out the tips below to improve energy efficiency in each area of your office space.

HVAC
  • Fix any leaks, holes or poor connections in ductwork to improve air conditioning performance.
  • Use a smart thermostat to reset space temperatures after business hours.
  • Pre-cool your office space before the peak hours of 1-5 p.m. Monday-Friday.
  • Install shade screens or window film to reduce solar heat gain.
  • Inspect and replace air filters regularly to achieve energy savings and avoid breakdowns.
  • Schedule seasonal tune-ups to check air conditioning refrigerant levels, gas furnace/boiler burner operation, clean internal components and tighten loose connections.
  • Replace older air conditioning units and furnaces/boilers with energy efficient models and save 30% or more.
  • Implement rooftop economizers to pull in cool outside air, saving up to 10% on cooling costs.

If your business has a smart thermostat, you may be able to receive up to $185 in prepaid cards by participating in our Power Savers Program. Learn more online.

Plug Loads
  • Turn off computers, TV monitors, coffee makers and personal appliances overnight.
  • Use the power management settings on computers and monitors so they go into power saving mode when not in use. This can save up to $50 per computer each year.
  • Centralize multifunction devices like printers.
  • Use smart power strips to turn off copy machines and printers when not used for extended periods.
  • Unplug electronics such as cell phones and laptops once charged. Adapters plugged into outlets use energy even when not charging.
  • Purchase ENERGY STAR-certified computers, office equipment and TV monitors, which are 35% to 60% more efficient than standard models.
  • Use vending machine controls to reduce lighting and refrigeration loads during periods of non-use.

The LADWP offers incentives for energy efficiency upgrades. For more information visit the LADWP Business Offerings for Sustainable Solutions (BOSS) website. If you have any questions, please email BOSS@ladwp.com or call 1-213-367-3436.

Lighting
  • Turn off all lights in unoccupied spaces.
  • Purchase indoor lighting with an 80+ CRI color quality rating.
  • Replace fluorescent lamps with LEDs and save 30% or more.
  • Use high illumination levels and high CCT color temperatures (over 4000K) for work spaces.
  • Use lower illumination levels and lower CCT (less than 3000K) for reception areas.
  • Install occupancy sensors in low foot-traffic areas like conference rooms, restrooms and storage areas.
  • Take advantage of natural light to reduce the need for overhead lights.
  • Add skylights to introduce natural light into your office space. Exposure to daylight in office settings increases worker productivity and decreases stress levels.
  • Match the amount and quality of office lighting to the task. Lighting greatly affects the speed and accuracy of office work tasks.

To see if your business qualifies for free energy efficiency upgrades visit the Commercial Direct Install Program (CDI) website or call 1-877-714-1254.

A Case Study in Office Space Efficiency

An office building, built in 1906, is proof that even an older building can improve its energy performance through upgrades while remaining affordable for its many business and non-profit tenants. Following an energy evaluation, a building management system and a new chiller were installed.

The project resulted in more than $11,000 in electricity cost savings per year. Overall, property managers achieved 21 percent savings in energy costs and 13 percent water cost savings, as well as decreased maintenance costs. The energy efficiency measures improved employee comfort and productivity while helping to reduce the building's environmental footprint.

Source: Institute for Market Transformation

LADWP offers many savings opportunities for businesses. For more information please visit LADWP.com or email SBS@ladwp.com.