Oil prices are going up--ways to cut down on the business energy bill

With the cost of oil rising to unprecedented levels, businesses are seeing energy costs rise as well. While you may not have a direct link in your business to oil, the high price per barrel cost is impacting your business in some fashion.

As fuel costs increase, so do transportation costs whether by air, sea, or land. Transportation companies often times add on a fuel surcharge or a fuel fee. If you see one of those make sure to ask about it and check your agreement to ensure the added charge is legitimate. If it is legitimate, make sure when the price of oil comes back down that the fuel surcharge disappears.

There are many ways for you to lower your energy costs although you may not be directly impacted by the cost of oil. No matter what business you are in there are a number of ways you can cut your energy costs.

The most obvious is automobile or truck driving. If you need to do any driving for your business makes sure it is well planned out and that you are not wasting trips. If you have a series of deliveries to make spend the time to map them out in sequential order. If there are times or deadlines to deliver by call your customers and see if they would accept an early delivery. Who wouldn't want that? The result of your trying to be efficient and save some money is a happier customer!

If you ship products to your customers offer discounts for multiple items per package if you can. Also help them to plan their orders if you can to cut down on shipping costs. If they regularly order from you twice a month perhaps you could talk with them about moving it to one time a month to save on the shipping costs for each of you.

In terms of facilities you can save energy as well. Have automatic timers on your lights, particularly in break rooms and bathrooms. Make sure if you have vending machines that you have energy efficient models.
In the office make sure printers, copiers, and other electronic equipment are shut off each evening and particularly on Friday nights. You may be surprised how many of your employees leave on various types of electronic equipment.

Turn down your thermometer and encourage your employees to adopt a layered approach to dressing for work. While you don't want to be seen as a Scrooge, explain to your employees how much money you spend on heat and electricity. You also want to make sure you have energy efficient bulbs in all light sockets and use fluorescent if possible.

There are a number of ways to save on energy costs around your business. Make sure to pay attention to the details and let your employees and vendors know about your effort, they may surprise you with some great ideas of their own.