Bright Energy Solutions

Provide shade around your air conditioner, and it could reduce your cooling costs by nearly 3 percent.

Make sure that your attic access is tightly sealed and well insulated.

Appliances and home electronics account for about 20 percent of your energy bill. Consider updating these items by shopping for ENERGY STAR certified appliances and electronics. And, turn them off when not in use.

Use caulk to seal cracks in the rim joist where basement walls meet the ceiling.

Seal gaps where plumbing and wiring pass through basement walls or ceilings leading to the outside or into the floor above.

Unplug battery chargers when the batteries are fully charged or the chargers are not in use.

Install low-flow shower heads and aerated faucets to conserve water and save energy on water heating.

Fix leaky faucets in bathroom sink, tub, or shower. Not only can you save 10 to 20 gallons of water per day, but you can keep energy dollars for water heating from going down the drain.

Limit showers to 10 minutes or less; this is a highly effective, no-cost way to save energy and water.

Operate ceiling fans at night to reduce the need for air conditioning and heating. In summer, direct the fan to push air down. In winter, reverse fan direction to pull air up, forcing warm air down.

When shopping for a new clothes washer, look for the ENERGY STAR label. ENERGY STAR clothes washers clean clothes using 50 percent less energy than standard washers.

Microwave ovens use 50 percent less energy than conventional ovens. Heat food in the microwave instead of on the range top or in the oven.

Wash full loads whenever possible. If you must wash a small load, use the appropriate water-level setting.

Your electronics--such as TVs, phone chargers, and DVD players--use energy even when turned off. To save energy, unplug the gadgets. 75 percent of the electricity used to power home electronics is consumed while they're turned off.

To save energy and cut down on your water bill, take a shower instead of a bath.

Weather strip around the seams of your air conditioner to provide better insulation, and reduce cooling costs.

Provide shade around your air conditioner, and it could reduce your cooling costs by nearly 3 percent.

• Exit signs are an often overlooked opportunity to reduce energy costs.
• Energy-efficient replacement options include LED lighting and self-luminous technologies.
• Retrofit kits are available to update existing fixtures with energy-efficient lighting.

Correctly sizing a new heating system can save energy and money while ensuring that it meets facility needs.

• A walk around your facility can help you locate hidden sources of HVAC energy savings.
• Optimize efficiency by tuning building controls and repairing duct and steam distribution leaks.
• Reduce HVAC load by upgrading to energy-efficient lighting and demand control ventilation.

• Intelligent light controls can help you reduce operating costs and improve your facility.
• Intelligent lighting systems are adaptable, measurable and can provide valuable information.
• LEDs are dimmable and start instantly, making them a perfect fit for intelligent controls.

Power disturbances can result in costly downtime, loss of critical data and even equipment damage. An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) can deliver backup power in case of an outage or power quality issue. UPS devices range from single units that protect individual computers to larger systems that provide protection for clusters of equipment or an entire facility.

• The roof is a significant source of thermal loss in buildings, wasting energy and money.
• Insulation, air barriers, cool roofing materials and rooftop gardens can improve thermal performance.
• The RoofPoint rating system measures the energy efficiency and sustainability of roofing projects.

Space heating takes up a lot of space on your energy bill. It accounts for 36 percent of the total energy used in commercial buildings, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. If your boiler or furnace is older or in need of repair, upgrading to a new, high-efficiency system can really save you money.