The winter months can get extremely cold in the Mid-Atlantic region—we all survived the Polar Vortex and spring still feels far away. While you’re busy running your small businesses, your heating bills shouldn’t be something you have to worry about. But with the colder weather, are you worried that your heating bills may be higher than budgeted? You want your employees to stay warm each day in the office, but expensive energy bills can have a great impact on your bottom line.

Here are some tips for saving money on your small business’s heating bills to get you to those first few flowers of spring!

Change Your Air Filters Monthly

As simple as this is, heating systems have to work harder when filters are full—it takes more energy to push the warmed air through the vents than when you have new or clean filters. Set a calendar invite in Outlook to remind you each month to replace your air filters and allow your furnace to run at maximum capacity!

Buy ENERGY STAR Office Equipment

ENERGY STAR is a label that qualified appliances and office equipment can earn if they contribute significant energy savings nationwide. Always buy ENERY STAR office equipment when you have the choice. A dollar saved here and there really adds up when you’ve furnished your entire office. ENERGY STAR qualification applies to heating systems like furnaces and heat pumps but also many office appliances, including:

  • Printers
  • Computers
  • Laptops
  • Copiers
  • Refrigerators
  • Televisions
  • Windows
  • Thermostats
  • Ceiling fans
  • And more!

Find qualified ENERGY STAR products from the Department of Energy »

Think About Your Seating Arrangement

You might have a smaller office space to work with, but think about how your employees’ desks are arranged. Keep the desks away from windows and outside walls—especially when it comes to the employee that always complains about being cold and tries to sneak the thermostat up a few degrees!

Install a Programmable Thermostat

If your office space is older, it may be time to upgrade that old thermostat to a new programmable version. They can save you five to 15 percent off your heating bill—that can really add up during the entire heating season.

You can also program your thermostat down one or two degrees lower than normal (especially at night when no one is there)—this can save you as much as one percent for each degree you lower the setting. A programmable thermostat will be able to crank up the heat so that it’s still warm when you come into work each morning.

Close Off the Unused Conference Room

Is no one using your conference room this week? Close the doors and keep the vents closed. What is the point of paying to heat a room that is never used?

Switch to Natural Gas

If you use oil or propane fuel to heat your office, you may be spending more money just because those two fuel choices are more expensive. Natural gas is a more affordable and energy efficient heating choice for small businesses.

Learn more about commercial natural gas service in:

Enroll For Natural Gas Service