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How Energy-efficient Upgrades Can Benefit Your Business

Businesses have a lot on their plates right now. Budgets and the scope of projects may be changing rapidly, leaving many organizations juggling an increased number of competing priorities.

If you can’t remember the last time your business has looked at its energy efficiency, you’re probably overlooking one priority that can help yield big benefits for your company’s sustainability goals and bottom line.

Now is the perfect time to upgrade your facility’s HVAC and lighting systems. Continue reading to learn more about how energy-efficient upgrades can benefit your company, employees and the environment.

Benefits of Energy Efficiency Upgrades

Lighting and HVAC systems are two of the costliest components to operate in commercial buildings.

Despite their usage costs, these energy users have been largely hidden behind the scenes for decades — often overlooked and unaddressed until they no longer work efficiently.

Preventive maintenance may, at best, extend the life of your HVAC and lighting equipment. However, there comes a time when recurring repair costs, coupled with the availability of new technology, begin to make a great case for upgrading or doing a complete refresh of inefficient HVAC and lighting systems.

Here are a few benefits to upgrading your lighting and HVAC systems:

  • Help achieve sustainability goals: A growing number of organizations are considering the environmental impact of their buildings and are adjusting their sustainability goals accordingly. If your company is working toward reducing its carbon footprint, energy efficiency upgrades, such as the installation of LED lighting, will go a long way toward achieving your sustainability goals faster.
  • Help save money: Lighting system upgrades can help extend the system’s service life and deliver significant and immediate cost savings. Upgrades to an aging HVAC system can help prevent breakdowns that cause costly unscheduled repairs and unanticipated downtime. With energy-efficient programs that now offer rebates and no upfront capital, upgrading your lighting and HVAC systems is a win-win situation for your bottom line. The more efficient your systems, the more money you can save in the long run.
  • Help promote a healthier and more productive work environment: A building’s lighting and temperature play a role in employees’ productivity. Additionally, mold, pollen, bacteria and other contaminants may be present in older HVAC systems, negatively affecting indoor air quality. Upgrades to your building’s lighting and HVAC system may not only help reduce or eliminate airborne contaminates but can also help improve the overall health and well-being of your employees.

When you choose to upgrade your lighting, HVAC system or both, you’ll have the peace of mind knowing that you are helping your company meet sustainability goals, save money and continue to care for the overall health and well-being of your employees.

Ready to get started?

Duke Energy One offers two energy efficiency upgrade plans for lighting and HVAC systems. The plans are simple and cost-effective. We finance the upgrades so your business can save money and reduce energy immediately – without any upfront capital.