Electrical usage rises in most Colorado Springs businesses in the summer, despite the fact that the sun is shining for many more hours in the day. Longer business hours and heat that requires air conditioning are just two of the many reasons your electric bill will be rising in the coming months. Rising usage means more wear and tear on your electrical power system, and a greater likelihood that you'll need an electrical repair sometime in the next few months. Avoid that problem before it starts by doing all you can to keep your power system working at peak efficiency.
Regular Maintenance
When it comes to keeping the power on, prevention is the key for your business. Meet with your local commercial electrician to create a maintenance schedule that covers every aspect of your business. He'll include maintenance on any electrical machinery you have working in your building, as well as checking wiring, replacing light bulbs, and advising on ways to reduce power usage during peak hours of the day.
Shut it Down
Some pieces of electrical equipment, such as walk-in freezers and medical machinery, have to be left on at all times. Other items can and should be shut down during evening and weekend hours, as well as holidays and other times when you're not open. These items include:
- Computers
- POS register systems
- Air conditioning
- Fans
- Coffee machines
- Phone chargers
Every item you turn off or unplug reduces the stress you put on the system, which will increase the lifespan of the major electrical systems you have running.
Lightning Protection
Add lightning protection to your building and larger landscaping plants to prevent damage from being done during electrical storms this summer. Power surges and sudden shutdowns from lightning strikes can play havoc with your building's systems. When electrical surges are diverted to grounding pads outside, work goes on as normal inside and you'll bypass any dangerous effects to your power system.
Backup Generators
No matter how you prepare, if there's a citywide blackout your business is going to lose power. Install alternative power sources before this happens to keep your power systems operational during even the longest blackout. The size generator you need will depend on the size and type of your business, but preventing the power from being interrupted in the first place can save delicate computer systems and restaurant freezers.
