Running a commercial building comes with a lot of responsibility. Whether it’s a small office or a large facility, energy usage can creep up without much warning. When power is being used in ways it shouldn’t be, it doesn’t just hit your utility bills, it can also affect the comfort and productivity of your staff. And during colder months like December in St. John’s, heating systems and lighting are used more often, which makes it even more important to keep an eye on your building’s energy habits.
Ignoring energy waste means you might end up paying for power that’s not doing anything useful. From outdated systems to simple habits like leaving lights on, there are all kinds of red flags that something’s not working as well as it should. Here are some of the most common warning signs that your commercial building could be using more energy than necessary and what can be done to get things back on track.
Higher Than Expected Energy Bills
Unexpected spikes in your power bill usually mean something isn’t running efficiently. If nothing’s changed in terms of operating hours, number of employees, or added equipment, and you’re still noticing a big jump in your electricity costs, then it’s time to investigate.
Here are a few usual suspects when your bills start climbing:
– Old HVAC systems can lose efficiency over time, meaning they run longer to heat or cool the same space
– Poor insulation lets warm air out and cold air in, especially during winter months in St. John’s
– Outdated appliances or equipment that draw more power than newer, energy-smart models
– Lights, machines, or systems left on overnight when the building is mostly empty
Even something that seems small, like not turning off break room equipment overnight, can snowball into large energy waste over weeks or months. One example is a mid-size office in town that found out their dishwashers and microwaves were drawing power all weekend for months.
To stay ahead of the issue, compare current bills to previous months and the same time last year if possible. Sudden jumps usually flag something that needs checking. It also helps to note what days or times usage peaks. That can give you a clearer picture of patterns and help point out areas that are running power longer than needed.
Inefficient Lighting
Lighting is something you wouldn’t normally think twice about, but it’s one of the biggest ways commercial buildings waste energy. If your bulbs are outdated or if lights are left on long after everyone’s gone home, you’re losing money every day.
Here’s how lighting turns into energy waste:
– Incandescent or halogen bulbs use much more power than LED alternatives
– Lights left on in unused rooms add to the monthly bill without doing any good
– Lack of timers or motion sensors means lights stay on longer than needed, especially during off-hours
Installing motion sensors in hallways, storage rooms, or washrooms can cut down waste almost immediately. So can putting timers or smart switches on your outdoor lighting and signage. If your lighting setup hasn’t been reviewed in years, it might be a good time to see what can be updated.
Switching to LED lights is one of the simplest ways to improve both lighting quality and energy usage. Plus, they last longer and require less maintenance. In a larger space like a retail store or warehouse, a lighting upgrade may have a noticeable impact pretty fast.
The key is to make your lighting work for your schedule, not against it. Pay attention to unused areas and the hours your lights are active. With colder, darker days in December, your lighting load increases, so it makes sense to make it as efficient as possible.
Poor HVAC Performance
When your HVAC system isn’t working efficiently, it can be a huge source of energy loss. This is especially important in St. John’s during December, when heating becomes more frequent. If certain areas in your building are too warm while others are cold, it may mean your system is either outdated or struggling to do its job. Uneven temperatures like that don’t just affect comfort, they also push the system to work harder than needed.
Frequent repairs or noise coming from HVAC units are other clues. These could point to something in the system breaking down, filters being clogged, or sensors not working right. If the system has to run constantly just to maintain a steady temperature, that’s a clear problem.
Here’s what to watch for:
– Irregular temperatures across different rooms
– HVAC units cycling on and off more than usual
– Staff or tenants regularly adjusting the thermostat
– Strange smells or sounds coming from vents or units
It’s a good idea to schedule inspections regularly to see if the system can be cleaned, adjusted, or in some cases, replaced. Newer systems can often heat and cool much faster and with far less electricity when compared to ones that have been around ten or fifteen years.
Unused Spaces Drawing Power
It’s really common for parts of a commercial building to use power when no one’s there. Think about meeting rooms, supply closets, or even whole office wings left lit or climate-controlled. Each one of these areas might seem minor, but added together, they create a steady drain on your electrical system.
There are some easy steps you can take to trim that power use:
– Unplug or turn off appliances, chargers, and equipment in unused rooms
– Set lights to turn off automatically in vacant spaces
– Reduce HVAC coverage in zones not frequently occupied
– Use smart plugs or a central control system to monitor and shut down devices
Building automation systems can help track how power is used in different parts of the building. These setups can turn off energy use in real time when people leave an area and adjust heating or cooling automatically. If you’re operating a space with several zones or floors, this kind of control could keep energy waste down without making life inconvenient for staff or visitors.
Equipment Left Running
Computers, printers, coffee machines, fans — if they’re plugged in and on all the time, that adds up. A lot of commercial buildings still run equipment that continues drawing power overnight or when it’s not needed. It may not seem like a big deal at first, but over a whole year, the waste adds up more than people think.
Here’s how to cut back:
– Set automatic shutdowns on equipment after work hours
– Label and unplug shared appliances when not needed
– Install smart power bars that can stop or limit background power use
– Get an energy review done to spot areas where phantom loads are happening
One office we visited had five small printers that stayed turned on 24 hours a day. Two of them hadn’t been used in over two months. By removing those units and setting the rest to sleep mode after-hours, their energy use dropped without making a single workflow slower.
Building habits around energy use can make a difference too. Training staff or setting reminders goes a long way. Even something simple like reminding people to shut down their workstations before leaving can help lower costs over time.
Trust ShockFree Electrical for Energy Solutions
Energy waste often goes unnoticed until it becomes a bigger problem. By watching for common signs like high bills, odd HVAC behaviour, or empty rooms using power, building owners and managers can take real steps to cut unnecessary usage and improve how their space runs day to day.
Heating systems that run longer than needed, outdated equipment draining power quietly, or something as basic as lights left on over the weekend can all sneak by if no one’s paying attention. It’s easier to fix a small issue early than to wait until things get expensive or create disruptive problems for staff and tenants.
Each building is different, but the red flags are often the same. Staying active with regular check-ins and updates keeps energy usage controlled and your electrical systems working as they should. When things do need fixing or upgrading, it’s always better to work with someone who knows what they’re doing. That way, everything stays safe, and your energy use keeps going in the right direction.
Take control of rising energy costs by exploring smart solutions tailored for commercial electrical services in St. John’s. ShockFree Electrical is here to help your building run more efficiently, cutting down waste while keeping your operations comfortable and reliable.
