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Energy Saving for Business

Home Energy Saving for Business

Track Your Energy Savings

Did you know that you can track your small business energy consumption 24/7 through your My Account portal?

You can view how any energy-saving measures you have put in place are performing and helping you save money.

Grab your GrandBridge Energy bill and register for My Account today!

Go To My Account

Energy Saving Tips

Being in tune with the ups and downs in your business’s energy consumption and making a few simple tweaks to your day-to-day operations,  can help you realize significant savings on your monthly electricity bill.

The smallest efforts can have the biggest impact.

  • Invest in LED Lighting: Lighting is the most significant energy drain for most small businesses and one of the easiest energy-saving upgrades. Swapping out lightbulbs for high-efficient LEDs will use up to 80% less electricity. Since the return on your investment is usually rapid, this upgrade earns first place on our list. Energy-efficient compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) provide the same lighting level and warmer, more comfortable lighting colour than standard incandescent light bulbs at a fraction of the cost. New high-efficiency T8 and T5 fluorescent tubes which last longer (up to 16 years), cast attractive lighting colour and need less maintenance than standard T12 lamps. The new ballasts for the T8s and T5s – electronic instead of magnetic – make the system more efficient and best of all, eliminate the annoying hum and flicker.  Since exit signs are always on, switching regular bulbs for LEDs will significantly reduce energy use.
  • Monitor Heating & Cooling: Use recommended thermostat set points: Every degree of cooling increases energy use by 4 to 5%. A programmable thermostat automatically controls temperature settings and saves on heat and cooling costs.
  • Improve Insulation: Electricity bills increase as you warm up or cool down your workspaces. Insulation, weather-stripping around doors, shades, awnings, or tinting over windows can improve the efficiency of a heating and cooling system by preventing heat gain or loss. Seal cracks and gaps, close doors or turn off the heating/cooling in unoccupied rooms. Avoid over-ventilating your workspace, as this removes the heat you paid to generate.
  • Eliminate Standby Use: Electronics, printers, and other equipment draw standby electricity even when switched off. Make a point of unplugging these items overnight or when not in use, as this can help reduce your electricity bill. Energy-smart power strips can sense when equipment is not in operation.
  • Install Sensors: Save energy by installing sensors in break rooms, washrooms, and storerooms. The sensors automatically shut off the lights when the space isn’t in use. Occupancy sensor switches are a cost-effective way to get significant energy savings. You’ll reduce lighting costs by up to 70%.
  • Save on Hot Water: Insulate your hot water tank and wrap exposed hot water pipes with foam insulation to retain the heat. This will allow you to turn your tank’s thermostat down and reduce electricity/gas use.
  • Update your Electronics/Appliances: Upgrade older equipment to more energy-efficient technologies to save on your electricity bill. For example, switching desktop computers/monitors for laptops. Energy Star© printers are a great start!
A business owner stands in a doorway.
  • Invest in ENERGY STAR© appliances: Appliances like fridges and freezers to realize the greatest savings. Keep fridges at 4°C and freezers at -18°C for optimal efficiency.
  • Keep evaporator coils clean: Free of ice build-up.
    Ensure fridge and freezer doors are sealed: Make sure they are tight and secure – if a piece of paper can slide through, the seal needs to be replaced.
  • Upgrade lighting: In the store and refrigeration case, lighting can potentially reduce energy use by up to 75%.
  • Install occupancy sensors: In low-traffic rooms to potentially reduce lighting costs by up to 40%.
  • Consider the time of day: Shift baking and other electricity-heavy work to nights and early in the morning when electricity rates are lowest.
A shopper browses a large store refrigerator.
  • Avoid overloading fryer baskets: It increases cooking time – fill them to their recommended capacity.
  • Purchase insulated cooking equipment: This type of equipment retains more heat.
  • Use recommended thermostat set points: Every degree of cooling increases energy use by 4% to 5%. Use a programmable thermostat.
  • Turn exhaust hoods off: If you’re not using them, turn them off.
    Ensure fridge and freezer doors are sealed: Make sure they are tight and secure—if a piece of paper can slide through, the seal needs to be replaced.
  • Consider the time of day: Shift baking to off peak hours when electricity rates are lower and schedule pre-heating times for kitchen equipment (such as ovens, grills, broilers and fryers) to avoid heating unnecessarily when electricity rates are lowest.
  • Dishwashing: Run dishwashing and laundry operations during off peak periods when electricity rates are the lowest.
Restaurant owners reviewing their business energy consumption

Business Programs, Resources & Financial Incentives

The Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) runs several commercial programs and incentives through the Save On Energy program. Take control of improving your bottom line by learning more about the energy-saving programs and financial incentives they offer.

Learn About the Save On Energy Program
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