The Business Energy Toolkit: Quick Wins and Big Impact

By Connie Conductor

Picture this: a wholesale distribution company in the heart of Bowie, Maryland. Business is booming, orders are rolling in, customers are happy, and the team is growing. But with that growth comes rising utility costs, quietly cutting into hard-earned profits.

Looking for ways to cut costs without compromising quality or service, the owners explore a new path: energy efficiency. What starts with a simple lighting retrofit soon grows into a broader strategy—reducing energy waste, lowering operating costs, and reinvesting savings into equipment and employee development.

The payoff is both swift and lasting.

Energy Efficiency Pays Off

Reducing energy costs is one of the most effective ways to improve your bottom line. With the right mix of no-cost actions, smart operations, and strategic investments, the average commercial building can cut energy bills by up to 30%.

Whether you’re aiming for fast savings or long-term results, a well-equipped energy efficiency toolkit can help you move forward with clarity and confidence.

The Guide Breaks Strategy into Two Categories:

Quick Wins:

Easy, low-, or no-cost actions you can take now

Big Impacts:

Higher-return investments with long-term payoff

Each section includes a toolkit in action

Real examples of how businesses like yours are turning strategy into savings.

Start with an Energy Audit

The first step to managing your energy is understanding where it’s going.

Schedule a professional energy audit with Pepco— we offer no-cost assessments to identify where energy is being wasted.

Use audit findings to create a long-term energy plan that prioritizes equipment upgrades by cost, savings potential, and operational value.

Toolkit in Action

Businesses across Maryland are taking advantage of Pepco-supported energy assessments tailored to their building size. Small businesses that use an average of 100 kW of electricity or less per month are eligible for check-ups and product installations, and larger businesses can access incentives that significantly reduce equipment upgrade costs.

Bright Ideas for Better Lighting

Lighting is one of the simplest areas to address—and offers major return for minimal investment.

Turn off lights in unoccupied areas.
Use natural daylight whenever possible.
Encourage staff to adopt lighting best practices.

Install occupancy sensors in break rooms, restrooms, and storage areas.
Replace outdated fixtures with LEDs, which use up to 90% less energy.

Toolkit in Action

GEICO upgraded 7,000 fluorescent lamps to high-efficiency LEDs at its Maryland headquarters, saving nearly $160,000 annually. Similarly, Giant Food upgraded LED lighting and wireless dimming controls in 14 stores, improving customer experience and saving nearly $354,000 per year when combined with other efficiency upgrades.

HVAC Hacks That Add Up

Your HVAC system is one of the biggest energy users—but small fixes and strategic upgrades can make a major difference.

Adjust thermostats seasonally.
Turn systems off an hour before closing.
Seal doors and windows with weatherstripping.
Use blinds to regulate temperature.
Install programmable or smart thermostats.

Schedule regular HVAC maintenance.
Replace outdated systems with high-efficiency models.
Retrofit rooftop units and improve insulation.

Toolkit in Action

Covenant Life Church upgraded its aging HVAC systems and lighting, along with a new building automation system, resulting in nearly $174,000 in cost reductions annually.

Cooler Costs With Smarter Refrigeration

Because refrigeration equipment runs 24/7, even small changes can produce big results.

Clean condenser coils regularly.
Replace worn door seals.
Keep refrigerators between 35 and 38 degrees.
Minimize door opening and overloading.

Upgrade to energy-efficient refrigeration units.
Install anti-sweat heaters and floating head pressure controls.
Add plastic strip curtains to walk-in units.

Toolkit in Action

Giant Food installed anti-sweat heater control systems at 27 stores, contributing to nearly 3 million kWh in annual energy reduction and nearly $354,000 in cost savings through Pepco’s Energy Savings for Business program.

Kitchen Efficiency: Slice Costs, Not Quality

Commercial kitchens can save 10–30% with smart practices and modern equipment—no compromise required.

Turn off idle equipment.
Train staff on energy-smart kitchen practices.
Use pot lids to retain heat and shorten cooking time.

Upgrade to energy-efficient kitchen appliances.
Install electric igniters on gas stoves.
Keep equipment well-maintained for peak performance.

Toolkit in Action

Food service businesses in Maryland have used incentives to upgrade to energy-efficient steam cookers and commercial dishwashers, cutting energy use while keeping upfront costs low. With incentives of up to $125 per steam cooker pan and $1,000 per dishwasher, many kitchens are seeing faster payback and long-term savings.

Office Tech Tune-up

Office equipment is often left on for longer than needed, quietly draining energy.

Set computers to sleep when inactive.
Power down unused equipment.
Unplug chargers and personal devices when not in use.
Decommission unused servers.

Install advanced power strips to eliminate phantom loads.
Virtualize servers to reduce hardware.
Train staff in IT energy management.
Replace outdated devices with certified energy-efficient models.

Toolkit in Action

Maryland businesses are improving efficiency through Operations and Maintenance training that helps staff optimize equipment performance and reduce energy waste. Use the U.S. Department of Energy’s Low Standby Power Product List to select energy-efficient devices that reduce phantom loads and lower costs.

Keep an Eye on Energy Use

You don’t need expensive software to spot waste—attention alone can go a long way.

Use free energy tracking tools from your utility or state.
Review monthly utility bills for unexpected spikes.
Do regular walk-throughs to identify wasted energy.

Invest in an energy management system.
Use real-time data to guide operations and future upgrades.

Toolkit in Action

The University of Maryland has prioritized monitoring and optimizing energy use across its campus, leading to significant energy savings and improved building performance. Through upgrades like lighting controls, building automation, and training for efficient building operation, the university has enhanced comfort while cutting electricity use by over 6 million kWh annually.

Claim Your Incentives and Rebates

Don’t leave money on the table—many energy upgrades are more affordable thanks to rebates and financing programs.

Research rebates, tax credits, and loan programs.
Sign up for alerts to stay informed about new opportunities.

Combine incentives with capital upgrades to reduce payback time—some Maryland businesses have seen returns in under three months.

Toolkit in Action

Utilizing available incentives, The University of Maryland received over $1.5 million for campus-wide upgrades, proving that incentives through Pepco’s Energy Savings for Business program are a powerful tool in any energy efficiency toolkit.

Bottom Line: Smart Strategies, Real Results

Energy efficiency doesn’t require a massive budget—just a smart plan. With the right mix of Quick Wins and Big Impacts, your business can lower costs, improve comfort, and support a more sustainable future.

Start building your energy-saving toolkit today—and see how far your savings can go.