By being aware of your energy consumption and taking a few simple actions, you can save money on your GrandBridge Energy electricity bill. The smallest efforts can have the biggest impact.
Track Your Energy Savings
Did you know that you can track your small business energy-saving measures through your My Account portal and see how your changes translate to savings?
- Lighting: Install energy-efficient compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) which provide the same lighting level and warmer, more comfortable lighting colour than standard incandescent light bulbs at a fraction of the cost. Install 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.
- 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.
- Insulating: Insulation, weather-stripping around doors, shades, awnings, or tinting over windows can increase the efficiency of a heating and cooling system by preventing heat gain or loss.
- Technology use: Keep computers on standby. Computers are only used an average of 10% of the time they are turned on. Consider using ink-jet printers, which consume less energy than laser printers. Use energy-smart power strips that sense when equipment is not in use.
- Use Occupancy Sensors: In copy rooms, lunchrooms, boardrooms and restrooms. You’ll reduce lighting costs by up to 70%.
- 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.
- 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.
Save on Energy for Businesses
The Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) runs several commercial initiatives through the Save On Energy program. Take control of improving your bottom line by learning more about the energy-saving programs they offer.
