As you already know, you’ll have to do what you can in order to prepare your business for winter weather; this might include working with a company that can salt your car park, maybe snow shovelers, or even preparing in other ways (such as employee flexibility. But whatever it is, it’s always a smart business to prepare ahead of time.
With that said, however, even when it gets cold, you’re going to have to think about how to be eco-friendly. Actually, it’s the eco-friendly moves that help you save money and, of course, help you get an even better reputation. So, with that said, here’s what you need to know when it comes to eco-friendly business moves you can make before the winter months!
Look Into Solar Panels
Usually, the summertime is the best time to install your solar panels, so the sooner you get it done before winter hits, the better. While yes, by all means, it’s true that the initial installation costs can be a bit steep, you have to think of the long-term benefits- because they’re well worth it.
At the end of the day (technically, a few years from now), solar panels will significantly reduce your energy bills and lessen your dependence on non-renewable energy sources. Plus, in many cases, you can even sell excess power back to the grid, making it a win-win situation (it usually depends).
Look Into Installing a Heat Source Pump
One of the best things you can do is have both solar panels installed and replace your boiler with an air source heat pump. So, why this combination? Well, the solar panels were already mentioned just above, but you have to keep in mind that commercial eco-friendly practices usually go against the traditional heating systems that rely on burning fossil fuels; so, what makes air source heat pumps so special is the fact that they transfer heat from the outside air into your building.
Yes, they can work wonderfully even in low temperatures, too. When it comes to installation, this can be installed all year around, but the warmer months might be better.
Add Insulation Film to Windows
So, this is usually known for being energy-efficient when it’s hot, but this can actually help in the colder months, too! It’s simple and pretty affordable, and if you really wanted to, you could DIY this (depending on how high the windows are, of course). But how exactly can this work? Well, window film acts as an extra layer of insulation, reducing heat loss through the glass. Honestly, it’s still best to seal cracks and even get window treatments (like thick curtains or shutters), but adding this addition could help, too.
Conduct an Energy Audit
Sometimes, the best way to improve your business’s energy efficiency is to understand where you’re currently wasting energy. Conducting an energy audit can help identify areas where you can make improvements. Plus, these aren’t very expensive either. So maybe afterward, you’ll figure out if you need to seal off gaps, look to upgrading insulation or fine-tuning your heating system. These will usually tell you what the deal is, so maybe, at best, you only have small changes to make.