Yes, you can lower your business heating costs without sacrificing comfort. By heating only the spaces you use, when you use them, you reduce unnecessary costs and optimize your energy budget. The best energy is the one we don’t consume!
Best practices for controlling your energy costs
- 1
Use a programmable or smart thermostat:
A programmable thermostat helps you automatically adjust the temperature to the time of day or the day of the week. Smart models go one step further. You can control them remotely via a mobile app, and they can make personalized recommendations to optimize your consumption. When used properly, a smart thermostat can reduce your energy costs by about 8%.1
- 2
Set the right temperature:
Lower the temperature by 2°C or 3°C at night or when your premises are unoccupied. Natural Resources Canada recommends 20°C during occupancy hours and 17°C the rest of the time.2 For empty rooms, set the temperature to the lowest acceptable level and close the doors to avoid unnecessary heating.
- 3
Harness the warmth of the sun:
Open curtains, blinds and shades during the day to take advantage of the sunlight, then close them at night and when your spaces are unoccupied to keep the heat inside.
55%
Heating alone accounts for 55% of the energy consumed by Canadian businesses.3 That’s over half their energy bill.
When to turn the heating on and off
In the fall, as soon as temperatures cool down and your spaces stay at or below 18°C during the day for several days in a row, it’s time to turn on the heat. The goal is to maintain constant comfort without letting the cold settle in the walls. In the spring, gradually turn the heating down as the weather improves. To avoid unnecessary consumption, turn it off as soon as the indoor temperature stays pleasant without added heat.
You could benefit from our grants!
Énergir offers business customers a grant4 for the purchase of a smart thermostat as part of its energy efficiency program.
Smart thermostat for your business
Get a smart thermostat grant of $100
Take action
Your action plan for efficient heating
- Take stock. See where your premises' heating habits stand and find out which solutions are right for you.
- Change more than your habits.. Changing habits is good, but adding a smart thermostat and efficient appliances is even better for reducing the energy you use for heating. Shop around and be sure to apply for your grant before you buy. Other solutions like better insulation and making your premises more airtight can reduce your heating costs.
- See the impact.. Monitor the energy consumption of your premises from the very first weeks to measure the impact of the changes made and continue to integrate energy efficiency solutions to reduce your costs in the long term.
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Go further
See more ways to reduce your heating energy consumption:
Legal notices
- 1 - Source : https://natural-resources.canada.ca/stories/spotlight-energy-efficiency/your-thermostat-smart-enough (opens in new tab)
- 2 - Source : https://prod-natural-resources.azure.cloud.nrcan-rncan.gc.ca/stories/spotlight-energy-efficiency/5-ways-stay-cozy-winter-without-turning-heat (opens in new tab)
- 3 - Source: https://natural-resources.canada.ca/energy-efficiency/energy-star/products/list-certified-products/heating-cooling-equipment-commercial-use (opens in new tab)
- 4 - Certain conditions apply. Grants subject to change without notice. Check each grant’s webpage for eligibility criteria.
