Large Business

Retail Outlets/Hospitality/Office

• Keep external doors shut, as the hot or cold air outside makes your air conditioner or heater work harder for the same effect. If you think a shut door is a 'turn-off' for your customers, look into installing an automated entry. If you have evaporative air-conditioning, it works better if a small window is left open.
• Regularly service all heating and air-conditioning units to ensure they are operating efficiently.
• Draw the curtains to keep the sun out during summer, and the warmth in during winter.
• Check your thermostat and keep it around 21 degrees in summer and 19 degrees in winter. Every degree counts!
• Ensure your air-conditioning and heating systems are suitable for your business and the area it is cooling or heating.
• Investigate a timer system that will automatically switch off heating and cooling after business hours – just in case the last person to leave forgets.
• Install insulation. Heat transmitted through the roof can cause up to a 40 per cent rise in internal temperature. And in winter, insulation keeps the warm air inside.
• Install compact fluorescent lighting and turn off lights when they are not in use. Perhaps consider sensor lighting, or timer switches.
• Ensure any hot water services are well-insulated in cooler climates.
• Turn off power to unused appliances. Don't leave things on stand-by.