Energy Answers for Your Business

Tiffany Spence is an energy expert at Florida Power & Light Company. She’s conducted thousands of energy audits at homes and businesses, helping customers find new ways to make their bills even lower.

As we head into the winter months and the temperature drops, it’s important to prepare your business to save on heating costs. The typical air conditioner in most Florida businesses is more efficient when it comes to cooling, compared to heating. In fact, it can cost two to three times more to heat vs. cool your business.

Here is a handy guide for businesses looking to reduce their energy costs this winter.

Creating an eco-friendly office building

Businesses can take small measures when it comes to saving on heating costs. From attaching weather stripping on doors, installing heat-saving window blinds to avoid keeping doors and windows opened unnecessarily, companies can adopt these techniques to save big on energy bills.

Maintaining efficient insulation systems will also help in retaining heat. Check your duct system for air leaks as that can cause significant energy losses, causing energy bills to increase. If you suspect your duct system may have leaks, contact an A/C contractor to check your duct system.

To prevent heat loss within your office, be sure to:

• Schedule regular maintenance on units, including checking ducts and pipe insulation for damage.
• Clean condenser coils and replace filters regularly.
• Look out for small drafts that may leak the air. Small drafts can result in businesses losing substantial portions of their heating and cooling costs. Proper air sealing of the work environment can eliminate those drafts.

Using smart thermostats

Smart thermostats have truly revolutionized the energy industry to save on energy costs. These smart devices have the capability to automatically adjust the temperature of your workplace when no one is working and can result in significant savings for your business.

To get additional savings, set your thermostat as low as comfortable during the workday and lower the temperature during non-business hours. For each degree you decrease the temperature from the recommended setting (68 degrees when turning the heat on), your bill can decrease up to 5%. You may also consider installing locking covers on your thermostats to prevent people from tampering with the temperature settings.

Heating alternative – heat pump systems

If you turn on the heat frequently, you might want to consider a heat pump air conditioning system as an alternative the next time you need to replace your A/C. These systems heat more efficiently and can help you save money if you live in a colder part of the state, or if you run the heat often in the winter. In fact, those who use heat frequently could save up to $225 per year with a heat pump system compared to a standard A/C system.

More ways to save when it gets cold

To find more ways to save, sign up for a Business Energy Evaluation. With a Business Energy Evaluation, an FPL energy expert will audit your business' energy use and deliver a free customized report with energy saving solutions tailored to your unique energy needs.

Monica Landrini is FPL's Business Lighting Program Manager. She has 25 years of experience in Program Management and is a BBA graduate of the Metropolitan University of Venezuela. For the past seven years, Monica has supported the FPL's rebate programs for the Business/Residential DSM markets.

Question:
I’d like to decorate my business for the holiday season. Will the holiday lights raise my bill?
-Susan Brooks, Northport

Answer:
In general, the energy costs for decorations in businesses will vary significantly depending on:

• Types of lights and decorations
• Quantity of decorations
• Length of time

While incandescent strands are cheap to buy, the cost to operate them is not. For example, a 100-count string of incandescent mini lights runs at 40 watts, while a 100-count of 5mm LEDs is approximately 4.8 watts, meaning LEDs use up to 90% less energy and last up to 10 times longer than comparable traditional incandescent light strings. In other words, the cost to power incandescent lights can be up to 10 times greater than powering LEDs.

Of course, you can control your cost by when you choose to put up your lights, how many strands you use and how long you have them turned on each day.  Find out the total watts you’ll be using – you can usually find the wattage of each strand on the Underwriter’s Laboratories sticker or on the plug, or use the formula below for a quick estimate:

• Watts per bulb x number of bulbs on the strand = total watts per strand

Once you have an idea of about how many total watts each strand will consume:

• (# of watts/1,000) X (# of hours) X (# of days) X 0.10 per kilowatt-hour = cost to operate your strand of lights
• Cost to operate each strand X # of strands you will be using = TOTAL ESTIMATED COST

Estimated cost of energy to light a six-foot tree using 600 mini lights for 10 hours a day for 30 days

• Incandescent Mini-lights - $7.20
• LED Mini-lights  - $1.21

Not only do LED holiday lights consume 90% less electricity than incandescent bulbs, they also have the following advantages:

• Longer lasting: LEDs last up to 10 times longer than traditional light strings. The same LED string could still be in use 40 holiday seasons from now.
• Safer: LEDs are much cooler than incandescent lights, reducing the risk of combustion or burnt fingers.
• Sturdier: LEDs are made with epoxy lenses, not glass, and are much more resistant to breakage.
• Easier to install: Up to 25 strings of LEDs can be connected end-to-end without overloading a wall socket.

For more information on how holiday decorations affect your energy cost.

Holiday Energy Savings Tips:

Here are some energy saving tips that we put together to try and help you keep your energy costs down during the holiday months.

1. Use LED lights whenever possible. They may cost more upfront, but have a much lower impact on your monthly energy bill saving you money in the long run.
2. Use automatic timers –to control the amount of time you’re running the lights each day – fewer hours means less energy used.
3. Use extension cords – instead of using light strings to add length to your display, utilize extension cords in less visible areas
4. Be creative – supplement your holiday displays with ornaments such as wreaths, ribbons and other decorations that don’t consume energy.

From all of us at FPL, have a safe and happy holiday season!

Tiffany Spence is an energy expert at Florida Power & Light Company. She’s conducted thousands of energy audits at homes and businesses, helping customers find new ways to make their bills even lower.

Question:
We leave our office computers on all the time. Should we turn them off at night? Will that save us money?
Andres G., Coral Gables

Answer:
Andres, if office computers are kept on all the time, turning them off at night for 8 hours will result in about $32.30 or so saved per year, per device. However, if they have the sleep mode enabled, the difference between turning them off and keeping them on sleep mode is only about an additional $1 in savings per year. The amount of time the computer spends in different modes each day (e.g. on, idle, sleep, or off) is the key component affecting energy consumption. We have provided estimations for business usage via the ENERGY STAR® Office Equipment Calculator. The calculator allows you to directly see how much energy an ENERGY STAR® qualified device would use relative to a standard model, and to look at the impact of different modes on energy consumption for both standard and efficient devices.

Overall, office equipment tends to consume a relatively small amount of energy annually, and sleep modes have improved enough that enabling sleep mode actually has a comparable impact to turning off equipment at night. Looking at both tables below, they show that running equipment with sleep mode enabled vs. enabling sleep mode and turning it off at night, results in additional savings of only $1. However, it’s still generally a best practice to turn off and unplug any electronic devices to eliminate phantom loads (also known as vampire load - when a device appears to be off but still draws power). We used $0.10/kWh (our price of electricity for General Service Non-Demand customers) in order to estimate monetary savings from different power scenarios:

Table 1: Comparison of savings per each desktop computer conservation scenario

Table 2: Comparison of savings per each laptop computer conservation scenario

Advanced Power Strips
Advanced power strips (APS) - also sometimes called smart strips - are designed to reduce vampire draw by automatically cutting off power to connected devices when not in use by employing timers, occupancy sensors, or power sensors attached to a single always-on device. Although APSs can certainly be used to power off computers and peripheral equipment, other common office plug loads—including fax machines, multi-function devices, water coolers, and coffee makers—can yield much larger energy savings when controlled by an APS (particularly if they can be turned off overnight and on weekends).

For more information on using APSs in business settings, we’d suggest looking at our Smart Power Strips webpage under the Business Energy Advisor. Additionally, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has developed a simple APS decision tree that helps show the strengths and purposes of, including ones with simple timers.

Smart Plugs
APSs are generally designed to be standalone, autonomous energy-saving devices. However, there are a variety of so-called “smart plug” devices that feature wireless communications, though they generally lack the automated savings features included in APSs. For the most part, these devices are all pretty similar: they comprise Wi-Fi- or ZigBee-connected outlets that users can plug devices into that then provide data on energy consumption and the ability to set up on/off schedules through a centralized web portal. These features can make smart plugs good technologies to engage office employees, increase power awareness, and influence behavior change to harness further energy savings.

Patrick Agnew is FPL's In-Home Technology Program Manager. After working in energy management for 30 years, he believes the best is yet to come.

Question: FPL customers are asking: What’s so smart about smart thermostats?

Answer:
To find out, we asked Pat Agnew, FPL In-home Technology Program Manager.

Smart thermostats are trending among homeowners, but have features that can also benefit small businesses. A smart thermostat replaces an existing thermostat, connects to Wi-Fi and can be controlled by a smart phone app. They range in price from about $100 to $250 and the investment could pay off in energy savings and lower bills.

Smart thermostat benefits include:

• Energy savings. FPL tested smart thermostats in South Florida homes and found A/C savings of about $50 a year. While we have not tested them in businesses, we suspect that there is potential for savings, especially in cases where there are currently no controls on A/C use.
• Control – at your fingertips. Being able to control your business’ A/C from your smart phone makes it easy to make sure employees are using reasonable thermostat settings. The app can automatically raise the thermostat a few degrees after hours and lower it before opening.
• Monitor and control – multiple thermostats and store locations. Some smart thermostats allow you to control multiple thermostats, individually or as groups, across various locations with multiple users, all from a single web portal or smart phone app.
• Energy Efficiency. While manually controlling the temperature in your commercial building is a step in the right direction, this method leaves a lot of room for missed energy bill savings. Regulating the temperature, humidity and overall air quality of any building – home or business – is key to maintaining a comfortable, healthy and productive work environment. Making HVAC equipment and systems “smart” can go a long way toward improving the energy efficiency and overall health and safety of work and living spaces.

A few words about installing smart thermostats

Smart thermostats come with everything you need for easy installation including helpful videos, but be sure you remain in full compliance with local building and safety codes for commercial properties.

More helpful tools for you

See how adjusting your A/C affects your bill by viewing your energy usage through your Business Energy Dashboard. For a complete review of how your business uses energy, schedule a free Business Energy Evaluation with one of our experienced Energy Experts by contacting FPL’s Business Care Center at 800-FPL-2434 (800-375-2434).

Phil Tornelli is a Business Energy Survey Program Manager with over 30 years of experience helping a wide range of customers from small- and medium-sized businesses to large manufacturing facilities reduce their energy costs and improve energy efficiency.

Question: Are energy audits available for condo associations? Thank you.
--Paul O., Naples

Answer:
A: Thank you for your question regarding FPL’s energy audit a.k.a. Business Energy Evaluation.  The short answer is yes!  In fact, in 2017 our energy efficiency experts have performed nearly 500 energy evaluations on condo associations.

Energy evaluations are a great tool for condo associations to identify opportunities for energy savings. Many condo associations have common areas that are not temperature controlled, or have inefficient lighting, air conditioning and pool pump equipment that can be adding unnecessary expenses to their monthly bills. The evaluation enables you to identify which energy efficiency improvements will have the most impact. For example, just by switching to LED’s for interior and exterior lighting you can start to save in your energy usage and see savings in your bill.

How does the on-site analysis works?
An FPL Energy Expert comes to your business to do a complete evaluation of your equipment and energy use to find savings opportunities. Equipment evaluated includes:

• Heating, ventilating and air-conditioning systems (HVAC)
• Building “envelope” where your building is exposed to the elements (areas such as roof, windows and insulation)
• Lighting
• Water heating
• Processing equipment: motors, air compressor systems, elevators, conveyors, food preparation equipment and refrigeration equipment

Benefits:
Our personalized analysis will provide detailed recommendations to help your business:

• Identify FPL energy-saving programs that are right for you
• Lower energy costs and help you understand how your energy usage compares to that of similar businesses as well as how weather can affect your energy use
• Qualify for rebates that may apply to your business
• Select equipment if you’re planning improvements, expansions or building new facilities

To schedule a free Business Energy Evaluation with one of our experienced Energy Experts, contact FPL’s Business Care Center at 800-FPL-2434 (800-375-2434).

Tiffany Spence is an energy expert at Florida Power & Light Company. She’s conducted thousands of energy audits at homes and businesses, helping customers find new ways to make their bills even lower.

Question: Why has my energy bill increased the past few months?
- Bernice W., Coral Springs

Answer:
Thanks for your question, Bernice. This is a common question we get asked this time of year as temperatures rise. The simple answer to your question is that your bill increases when outdoor temperatures increase because you’re consuming more energy due to your air conditioner running longer to keep your business cool. There is a direct connection between outdoor temperatures and energy usage. During summer months, heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems run longer to keep your business cool.

I’m not sure what type of business you operate, but on average, HVAC energy use accounts for 40-70 percent of a commercial energy bill each month – and about 50 percent on an annual basis.

• For a small retail business, the average HVAC charge is about 41 percent of the bill.
• For a large office environment it is closer to 50 percent.
• If you’re running a restaurant or a convenience store, then energy for refrigeration can account for a notable portion of the bill, and ventilation too.

It’s important to note the type of business you have will impact your energy usage, as well as what steps you can take to manage your usage.

Energy-saving tips for businesses

• In summer, set thermostats between 78 and 80 degrees during the day/business hours, and above 80 degrees during unoccupied hours.
• Install programmable thermostats that automatically adjust temperature settings based on the time of day and day of the week. If you have multiple HVAC units, set thermostats to return to the occupied temperature a half an hour apart.
• Regularly change HVAC filters and tune-up your HVAC units (clean and check refrigerant charge).
• Turn off lights and equipment when not in use. Install occupancy sensors to automatically turn off lights.
• Replace incandescent light bulbs with Light-Emitting Diode (LED) bulbs

Business Energy Evaluation

We recommend businesses call us for a free Business Energy Evaluation so we can more accurately assess your specific energy use situation, and provide tips on how to control costs. We can also point you towards any rebates you may qualify for, including higher efficiency A/C units and Kitchen Demand Control Ventilation (KDCV) for commercial kitchens.

To schedule an on-site Business Energy Evaluation of your business, go to www.FPL.com/business, and for more information about our business energy efficiency programs, visit www.FPL.com/bizprograms.  You may also call 1-800-FPL-5566.

Phil Tornelli is a Business Energy Survey Program Manager with over 30 years of experience helping a wide range of customers from small- and medium-sized businesses to large manufacturing facilities reduce their energy costs and improve energy efficiency.

Question: Would my commercial pool benefit from the installation of a variable speed pool pump?
- Jeff M., Fort Lauderdale

Answer:
A: Thanks for the question, Jeff. Rules and regulations governing commercial pools are significantly different from residential pools, and, currently, the state of Florida does not require the use of variable speed pool pumps in commercial pool applications.

You might ask, why wouldn’t commercial pools benefit as much as residential pools from this improvement? There are several reasons, mostly related to health and safety. In this forum, I will only address those related to potential energy savings. Commercial pools are required to run continually and have stringent water flow requirements. In comparison, residential pool pumps typically only need to run between six and eight hours per day. Replacing their constant speed pool pump with a variable speed model allows them to slow their pump speed and stretch out their operating hours. Because of the efficient properties of variable speed pumps, this can result in significant savings, as much as 80 percent. Commercial pool operators do have some limited opportunities to slow down their pump speed; however, their prospects for savings are limited by their full time operation and code-required flow requirements.

Helping you save money is important to us; no matter how big or small your business. To find more ways for your business to save, sign up for your own, individualized Business Energy Evaluation with an energy expert from FPL.

Phil Tornelli is a Business Energy Survey Program Manager with over 30 years of experience helping a wide range of customers from small- and medium-sized businesses to large manufacturing facilities reduce their energy costs and improve energy efficiency.

Question: I’ve heard about this concept of creating a ‘green team’ to help my office become more environmentally friendly, and maybe even save money for our company’s energy bill. Do you have any tips to help me start one?
- Sally O., Naples  

Answer:
A. Hi Sally, operating “green” is something we support at FPL. And, we believe in operating green through environmental protection and stewardship, not only because it makes sense, but it’s the right thing to do. Establishing a ‘green team’ is a great way to help your business reduce its energy bills, become more sustainable, and build a community.

Though there are many issues that green teams can focus on, such as energy, waste, water, and purchasing, it’s energy-efficiency upgrades and energy education that have the biggest potential for cost savings. We’ve broken down the process of creating and running a green team into seven easy steps.

Step 1: Develop a statement of purpose and get management buy-in. Identify a few employees who you think might be interested in being on a green team. Work with them to put together a brief statement of purpose for your green team, and then get management approval.

Step 2: Host a fun kick-off activity and recruit team members. Plan a lively, informative kick-off event to introduce the green team and recruit members. Highlight that you’ve received management support, discuss the team’s purpose, and brainstorm possible activities for the team. Then, set up regular meetings.

Step 3: Establish a baseline for existing activities and energy usage. Ask any of your managers to give a presentation on energy-efficiency projects that he/she has already implemented and get their ideas for projects for the green team.

You can view your business’ Online Business Energy Dashboard. The dashboard lets you view your energy use by the month, day, hour and, in some cases, 15-minute intervals. With the dashboard you can:

• Identify your peaks and valleys to see when energy is being used
• Learn how temperature and humidity affect your energy use and bills
• Monitor your dashboard to see how operational changes affect your energy use
• Group multiple accounts to better understand and manage energy use across sites

Step 4: Identify and evaluate energy-reduction projects and campaigns. There are many ways that your team can identify possible projects:

• Walk through your building as a group to get project ideas.
• Brainstorm ways to encourage or incentivize employees to reduce energy.

We offer an Online Business Energy Evaluation. This is a free, online evaluation that is geared towards small businesses. Your business is eligible to participate if your FPL bill states that it’s based on a rate called “Generic service non-demand.”

You can also schedule a Business Energy Evaluation to have an FPL energy expert audit your business' energy use and deliver a free customized report with energy saving solutions tailored to your unique energy needs.

Step 5: Set a goal. A concrete goal for your team will allow you to know when you’ve achieved success. Your goal could be to:

• Implement three energy-efficiency projects by the end of the year.
• Reduce energy consumption by 10 percent within two years and 20 percent within five years.

Step 6: Implement your projects. Begin with projects that are easy, low-cost, or have a short payback period, for example:

• Install compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) or LEDs in desk lighting or other fixtures.
• Offer computer energy tune-ups to enable energy-saving settings and double-sided printing.
• Adjust the thermostat – either up a degree or two in the summer or down a degree or two in the winter.
• Check the temperature of water heaters – 120 degrees is perfect for typical hot water needs.
• Put coffee pots on timers.

Step 7: Measure progress toward your goal and celebrate your successes. Track progress with a poster or bulletin board in a public, high-traffic area. When you achieve your goal or reach a critical progress point, have a party to celebrate and recognize your hard work and success!

We are here to help, too Our energy experts are here to help you. Get more information at FPL.com/business or by calling our Business Customer Care center at 800-375-2434.

Phil Tornelli is a Business Energy Survey Program Manager with over 30 years of experience helping a wide range of customers from small- and medium-sized businesses to large manufacturing facilities reduce their energy costs and improve energy efficiency.

Question: Are tankless water heaters better than traditional water heaters?
- Felix G., Miami

Answer:
Thank you for asking this question, Felix. In today’s cost-conscious society, any way to save energy and money should be explored. The cost-saving benefit of replacing a conventional electric water heater with a tankless electric heater is often overestimated. The energy savings from eliminating the heat losses through a typical insulated storage tank is around $20 to $30 annually. Tankless water heaters (sometimes called instantaneous water heaters) don’t have a water storage tank and therefore water has to be heated much more quickly as it passes through a compact heating unit and typically requires an upgraded electrical circuit to handle the extra power.  

Now, there is an attractive alternative to tankless water heaters called a heat pump water heater (HPWH) which requires no electrical upgrades and can save up to approximately $175 annually on water heating costs. Modern heat pump water heaters which take up no more floor space than conventional heaters are reliable and available from several familiar manufacturers with warranties of around 10 years.  

Saving money is always important. We want to make sure that we’re meeting your needs, so we’ve designed energy-saving programs and services for businesses of all sizes. You can also schedule a free Business Energy Evaluation and get personalized recommendations from one of our energy experts. You may also submit a question, and we may feature it in an upcoming column.

Phil Tornelli is a Business Energy Survey Program Manager with over 30 years of experience helping a wide range of customers from small- and medium-sized businesses to large manufacturing facilities reduce their energy costs and improve energy efficiency.

Question:
With the cooler temperatures, do you have any tips for my business to save some energy and money?
– John S., Hobe Sound

Answer:
Thanks for the question, John. Winter is the perfect time to make sure your building is operating efficiently. These resourceful efficiency tips have the potential to save significant amounts of energy, leaving you with more money for your business.

Temperature adjustments – find that happy medium
Because HVAC systems account for 40-70 percent of a commercial energy bill each month – and about 50 percent on an annual basis – adjusting the temperature settings can be a source of substantial savings. We recommend adjusting temperature settings during unoccupied hours. You can automate these settings with programmable thermostats or through a building automation system. You can also try implementing small temperature changes during working hours—a simple temperature change of 1 or 2 degrees will frequently go unnoticed.

HVAC filters – keep ‘em clean
During the cooler months, filters should be changed on a regular basis to make sure that the furnace fan isn’t using more energy than necessary trying to push air through clogged filters. If you are located next to a highway, a construction site or another place where the air is dirtier than usual, consider changing filters more often.

Personal heaters – an energy hazard
Personal space heaters can consume a significant amount of energy, and they can pose a fire hazard if left on overnight. Over the course of an eight-hour workday, even a modestly-sized space heater can use as much energy as a laptop does in one whole month. It’s best to maintain the HVAC system so that it provides adequate and evenly distributed temperatures, and to discourage employees from using space heaters.

Weatherization – not just for colder climates
Gaps and cracks in the exterior shell of a building can greatly increase the amount of energy needed for heating or cooling. Look for drafty or broken windows and gaps around frames, doors, and loading docks, and seal them whenever possible. Most air leaks around doors and windows can be sealed easily with weather stripping that is available at any local hardware store.

Schedule a Business Energy Evaluation
We can help you find energy-saving solutions tailored to your business’ unique energy needs. By scheduling a free Business Energy Evaluation, one of our Energy Experts will come to your business, evaluate your energy use, and provide personalized recommendations. Schedule an evaluation today.

View your personal Business Energy Dashboard
Did you know that you can see how the outside temperature and other factors impact your bill by month, day and hour? Be sure to look for energy use at unexpected times, possibly a sign of equipment running when you’re not aware of it. Click to get started with your Business Energy Dashboard.

Craig Muccio runs FPL's Conservation Research & Development Program and crunches the numbers.

Question:
In December, we had some cold days and turned on the heat at our business. The increase in our bill was substantial. Does heating use that much more energy than the A/C?

– Anne T. from Fort Pierce

Answer:
Yes, the typical air conditioner in most Florida businesses is more efficient when it comes to cooling, compared to heating. In fact, it can cost two to three times more to heat vs. cool your business. Here’s why:

Most businesses have a straight cool air conditioner with electric resistance heating elements, also known as “heat strips.” Those elements work very much like a hair dryer by moving air over hot coils.

If your business has a 10-ton air conditioner with electric strip heat, it probably has a 30 kilowatt heating element, which will cost an FPL business customer about $3.30 for each full hour it runs.

Heating alternative – heat pump systems
If you use the heater frequently, you might want to consider a heat pump air conditioning system as an alternative the next time you need to replace your A/C. These systems heat more efficiently and can help you save money if you live in a colder part of the state, or if you run the heat often in the winter. In fact, those who use heat frequently could save up to $225 per year heating with a heat pump system compared to a standard A/C system.

Saving money when it gets cold
We recommend you consider your location and temperature preferences when deciding how to heat your business.

• If you operate in a cooler climate or you like to keep your business warm by turning on the heat in your air conditioner when it gets cool outside, you may want to consider a heat pump.
• If you operate in a warmer climate and rarely use the heat, you will likely want to stick with a conventional A/C unit with strip heating. Just remember that heating can cost two to three times more than cooling.

So, the next time it gets cold, you may want to hold off on turning the heat on right away until you truly need to warm up your business to be comfortable.

To find more ways to save, sign up for a Business Energy Evaluation.

Phil Tornelli is a Business Energy Survey Program Manager with over 30 years of experience helping a wide range of customers from small- and medium-sized businesses to large manufacturing facilities reduce their energy costs and improve energy efficiency.

Question:
I’m thinking about decorating my business for the holiday season. Do you have any tips to help me save energy and money?
- David J., Tequesta

Answer:
A. Decorating your business for the holidays is an easy way to delight your customers, clients and employees. View the following energy-saving tips and have a safe holiday season.

1. Use LED lights whenever possible. They burn at cooler temperatures than traditional bulbs and use 90 percent less energy.
2. When using ladders to install lights, look up and look out. Be aware of the location of overhead power lines and stay at least 10 feet away from them.
3. Inspect all lights prior to installation and encourage your employees to report any defective lights to a supervisor. Discard any lights with broken sockets, frayed or bare wires or loose connections.
4. Replace burned-out bulbs with ones of the same type and wattage as recommended by the manufacturer.
5. Check your business’ lighting display to ensure it doesn't present a trip hazard for customers. String lights and extension cords should never run across walkways.
6. Don't hang holiday lights on metal ornamental trees. This will help reduce the possibility of electric shock.
7. Follow manufacturer recommendations and use the right lights for your application - only use indoor lights inside and outdoor lights outside.
8. Ensure your outdoor outlets are GFCI-protected (ground fault circuit interrupters) to protect against electric shock hazards. Portable GFCIs can be purchased where electrical supplies are sold and permanent GFCIs can be installed by a qualified electrician.
9. Appropriately sized timers will help you control your lights when your business is closed. Don't leave holiday lights on overnight. It's safest to switch them off when you leave your premises.
10. Never pull or tug on strings of lights; this could cause stress on connections, which might create a fire hazard.
11. Choose a dry, secure place, away from damp or potential water damage to store your lights for next season. Cardboard boxes deteriorate and can encourage insect or rodent infestation. Sealable plastic storage boxes make good alternatives.
12. From all of us at FPL, have safe and happy holiday season!

Phil Tornelli is a Business Energy Survey Program Manager with over 30 years of experience helping a wide range of customers from small- and medium-sized businesses to large manufacturing facilities reduce their energy costs and improve energy efficiency.

Question:
Is it more efficient to run our ceiling fans or lower the temperature on the A/C?
- Patrick C., Homestead

Answer:
A. We get asked this question a lot, Patrick. Saving money is always important no matter how big or small your business. We suggest you turn on your shop or office ceiling fans and raise the temperature on your thermostat for maximum savings.

We recommend you follow these two simple rules, which you can apply to cooling your home, too:

1. Raise the temperature on the thermostat by at least 2 degrees and turn on the fan to medium or high, making sure the blades are circulating in a counter clockwise direction

2. Turn the fan off when you leave the room, or the office

The truth about ceiling fans
Ceiling fans are designed to circulate the air in a room, creating a draft throughout the room. Turn off ceiling fans when you leave a room – as fans cool people, not rooms, by creating a wind chill effect.

Larger ceiling fans can move more air than smaller fans. A 36- or 44-inch diameter fan will cool rooms up to 225 square feet, while fans that are 52 inches or more should be used in larger rooms. Multiple fans work best in rooms longer than 18 feet.

A larger blade will also provide comparable cooling at a lower velocity than a smaller blade. This may be important in areas where loose papers or other objects will be disturbed by a strong breeze.

Bottom line
It’s important to remember, if you don’t raise the thermostat when using a fan, you won’t save energy – it’s the most common mistake businesses make.

Schedule a Business Energy Evaluation
We can help you find energy-saving solutions tailored to your business’ unique energy needs. By scheduling a free Business Energy Evaluation, one of our Energy Experts will come to your business, evaluate your energy use and provide personalized recommendations. Schedule an evaluation today.

View your personal Business Energy Dashboard
Did you know that if you have an activated smart meter, you can see how the outside temperature and other factors impact your bill by month, day and hour? Be sure to look for energy use at unexpected times, possibly a sign of equipment running when you’re not aware of it. Click to get started with your Business Energy Dashboard.

We’re always working to provide energy you can count on at the lowest cost, while helping you find ways to make your bill even lower.

Phil Tornelli is a Business Energy Survey Program Manager with over 30 years of experience helping a wide range of customers from small- and medium-sized businesses to large manufacturing facilities reduce their energy costs and improve energy efficiency.

Question:
My business has a lot of electronic equipment that needs to remain “on” or running all the time. What’s the best temperature setting?

Answer:
From an energy efficiency perspective, we recommend leaving the thermostat at 82 to 85 degrees while the space is unoccupied. However, it’s a good idea to check your specific product manufacturers regarding recommended operating conditions for their products. A quick search of recommended operating factors for computers found two manufacturers suggesting suitable conditions between 50 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit for many of their computer units and an even broader temperature range for computer storage.

It’s important that you carefully monitor your electronic equipment for any issues and adjust temperature settings accordingly. In addition, it’s also a good practice to turn off or place in “sleep mode” any idle computers and monitors not in use for long periods of time. Before turning them off, you may want to check with your IT department to ensure it doesn’t require them to be left on for updating or monitoring purposes.

To get personalized tips geared to your specific business, just schedule a free Business Energy Evaluation with one of our energy experts. We’ll evaluate your business’s energy use and give you a customized report with energy-saving solutions. Let us help you find ways to save and make your electric bill even lower today.

Phil Tornelli is a Business Energy Survey Program Manager with over 30 years of experience helping a wide range of customers from small- and medium-sized businesses to large manufacturing facilities reduce their energy costs and improve energy efficiency.

Question:
Why is my bill so much higher than last month? It seems to be getting higher and higher every month.
-Roy T., North Port

Answer:
Thanks for your question, Roy. This is a common question we get asked this time of year as temperatures continue to soar. The simple answer to your question is that your bill increases when outdoor temperatures rise because you’re consuming more energy due to your air conditioner running longer to keep your business cool. There is a direct connection between outdoor temperatures and energy usage, and we’re in one of the four peak energy usage months of the year: June, July, August and September. During these hotter months, heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems run longer to keep your business cool.

I’m not sure what type of business you operate, but, on average, HVAC energy use accounts for 40-70 percent of a commercial energy bill each month – and about 50 percent on an annual basis.

• For a small retail business, the average HVAC charge is about 41 percent of the bill.
• It’s closer to 50 percent, for a large office environment.
• And, if you’re running a restaurant or a convenience store, then energy for refrigeration can account for a notable portion of the bill, and ventilation too.

It’s important to note the type of business you have will impact energy usage, and what steps you can take to manage your usage.

Business Energy Evaluation
We recommend businesses call us for a free Business Energy Evaluation so we can more accurately assess your specific energy use situation, and provide tips on how to control costs. We can also point you towards any rebates you may qualify for, including higher efficiency A/C units and Kitchen Demand Control Ventilation (KDCV) for commercial kitchens.

To schedule an on-site Business Energy Evaluation of your business, go to FPL.com/business, and for more information about our business energy efficiency programs, visit FPL.com/bizprograms. You may also call 1-800-FPL-5566.

Phil Tornelli is a Business Energy Survey Program Manager with over 30 years of experience helping a wide range of customers from small- and medium-sized businesses to large manufacturing facilities reduce their energy costs and improve energy efficiency.

Question:
Is it more energy efficient to turn off the A/C in our office or to leave it at 78 degrees for the entire weekend?
- Jackie S., Miami

Answer:
Thanks for the question, Jackie. The short answer is “turn it off” – with a very important caveat – as long as you’re allowed to according to your building code. In commercial buildings and spaces, there may be air quality regulations you need to adhere to that may prevent you from switching off the A/C. For example, a law practice does not need to adhere to the same guidelines as a dry cleaner.

Whenever you turn off the A/C or raise the thermostat, you’ll save money. Remember that your system will have to play “catch up” on Monday morning to bring the temperature back down. We recommend turning down the A/C early enough to achieve a cool comfort level by the time employees arrive in the morning.

As a general rule, try turning the A/C on 30 minutes before you open and increase it in 30-minute increments as needed, or until you hit the recommended 78 degrees setting for the work day. If you prefer to leave the system on over the weekend when the office is closed, we recommend raising the temperature to 82 degrees. It’s always a good practice to turn up the temperature during unoccupied times.

Helping you save money is always important; no matter how big or small your business. We hope you found this Energy Answers column helpful. If you have an energy-related question about your business, just submit your question. Or, get personalized energy advice for your business by scheduling a free FPL Business Energy Evaluation.

Phil Tornelli is a Business Energy Survey Program Manager with over 30 years of experience helping a wide range of customers from small- and medium-sized businesses to large manufacturing facilities reduce their energy costs and improve energy efficiency.

Question:
My home pool service told me that we’ll soon be required to have variable speed pool pumps - will commercial pools also need to be retrofitted with these new pumps in the near future?
Jeff M., Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Answer:
Thanks for raising the question, Jeff. Rules and regulations governing commercial pools are significantly different from residential pools, and, currently, the state of Florida does not require the use of variable speed pool pumps in commercial pool applications.

You might ask, why wouldn’t commercial pools benefit as much as residential pools from this improvement? There are several reasons, mostly related to health and safety. In this forum, I will only address those related to potential energy savings. Commercial pools are required to run continually and have stringent water flow requirements. In comparison, residential pool pumps typically only need to run between six and eight hours per day. Replacing their constant speed pool pump with a variable speed model allows them to slow their pump speed and stretch out their operating hours. Because of the efficient properties of variable speed pumps, this can result in significant savings, as much as 80 percent. Commercial pool operators do have some limited opportunities to slow down their pump speed; however, their prospects for savings are limited by their full time operation and code-required flow requirements.

Helping you save money is always important; no matter how big or small your business. To find more ways for your business to save, sign up for your own, individualized Business Energy Evaluation with an energy expert from FPL.

Phil Tornelli is a Business Energy Survey Program Manager with over 30 years of experience helping a wide range of customers from small- and medium-sized businesses to large manufacturing facilities reduce their energy costs and improve energy efficiency.

Question:
Do you offer rebates for businesses upgrading to LED bulbs and fixtures?
Karen P., Sarasota, FL

Answer:
We provide lighting rebates to qualifying businesses that invest in certain LED lighting systems. As you may already know, interior lighting accounts for more than 25 percent of an average business’ energy consumption. Replacing older, less efficient lighting systems could result in significant savings.

Today our rebates apply to high bay lighting, commonly used in factories, big box retailers, warehouses or gym locations, where the ceilings are at least 12 feet high. Our rebates may also apply to parking garage lighting applications. Upgrading to LED lighting can be a significant expense. For those businesses that receive approval for a rebate, we may reimburse up to a maximum of $20 for each LED high bay fixture.

To learn more, including whether your business may qualify for our rebates, visit FPL.com/bizlighting. This webpage contains simple steps to help your business start saving with our Business Lighting Program.

To find more ways for your business to save, sign up for your own individualized Business Energy Evaluation with an FPL Energy Expert.

Phil Tornelli is a Business Energy Survey Program Manager with over 30 years of experience helping a wide range of customers from small- and medium-sized businesses to large manufacturing facilities reduce their energy costs and improve energy efficiency.

Question:
What are some simple changes my business can make to save money?
Rick P., Miami

Answer:
Your business can achieve energy efficiency savings by making a few low-cost improvements. From lighting upgrades to installing occupancy sensors, here are five tips to help you start saving today:

1. Save 50 percent or more in lighting energy costs in areas such as conference rooms and break rooms by placing occupancy sensors on the lights.
2. Save $50 or more in electricity with each replacement of a traditional incandescent light bulb with an LED bulb over its lifetime. LEDs use 85 percent less energy and last greater than 10 times longer.
3. Replace incandescent bulbs in exit signs with LEDs, and save about 90 percent on signage operating cost. If LEDs are not compatible with your current sign, a new sign is inexpensive and could pay for itself within a year.
4. Save up to 30 percent by using smart power strips to regulate energy use on equipment, such as computers, copiers and printers.
5. Enable the sleep mode on office computers to achieve savings up to $50 per year for each computer.

For personalized tips for your business, schedule an appointment for a Business Energy Evaluation with an FPL Energy Expert.

Phil Tornelli is a Business Energy Survey Program Manager with over 30 years of experience helping a wide range of customers from small- and medium-sized businesses to large manufacturing facilities reduce their energy costs and improve energy efficiency.

Question:
Does it cost more to heat my shop than cool it?
Bill P., Ormond Beach, FL

Answer:
The simple answer is yes – it would cost more to heat versus cool your business over an equivalent period of time. In fact, it can cost two to three times more to heat your business than to cool it on an hourly basis. That’s because the typical air conditioner unit in most businesses is more efficient when it comes to cooling, compared to heating. Here’s why:

Most businesses have a straight cool air conditioner with electric resistance heating elements, also known as “heat strips.” Those elements work very much like a hair dryer by moving air over hot coils.

If your business has a 10-ton air conditioner with electric strip heat, it probably has a 30 kilowatt heating element, which will cost an FPL business customer about $3.30 for each full hour it runs. In comparison, it costs about $1.20 for each full hour your A/C runs.

Heating alternative – heat pump systems
If you use the heater frequently during the winter months, you might want to consider a heat pump air conditioning system as an alternative the next time you need to replace your A/C. These systems heat more efficiently and can help you save money if you live in a colder part of the state, or if you run the heat often in the winter. In fact, those who use heat frequently could save up to $225 per year heating with a heat pump system compared to a standard A/C system.

Saving money when it gets cold
We recommend you consider your location and temperature preferences when deciding how to heat your business.

• If you operate in a cooler climate or you frequently use your heating system in your business, you may want to consider a heat pump.
  
• If you operate in a warmer climate and rarely use the heat, you will likely want to stick with a conventional A/C unit with strip heating.
• Just remember that heating can cost two to three times more than cooling.

During the next cold snap, you may want to wait to turn on your heat – unless you truly need to warm up your business.

We recognize that reducing operating costs is crucial for businesses trying to stay competitive and run successfully. To find more ways to save, sign up for a Business Energy Evaluation.

Phil Tornelli is a Business Energy Survey Program Manager with over 30 years of experience helping a wide range of customers from small- and medium-sized businesses to large manufacturing facilities reduce their energy costs and improve energy efficiency.

Question:
What is the cost to run an average break room television if the device is left on 12 hours per day?
Lisa M., Ft. Myers

Answer:
In today’s work environment, it’s typical to see a TV in the break room in an office and, while it may seem wasteful to have it running all day during business hours, it probably doesn’t cost as much as you think it does. Assuming it’s a 50-watt TV and it’s on 12 hours per day, 5 days per week, at 10 cents per kWh, it comes to just $16 per year. It’s a rather nominal cost to keep employee morale up while they take a little coffee break.

Phil Tornelli is a Business Energy Survey Program Manager with over 30 years of experience helping a wide range of customers from small- and medium-sized businesses to large manufacturing facilities reduce their energy costs and improve energy efficiency.

Question:
Should we unplug office equipment at the end of each day?
 - Ruth D., South Miami

Answer:
Many technologies have advanced over the years. Today’s best option is to set your computers and other office appliances to enter their “sleep mode” when not in use. Over time, the approach to reducing energy waste during off peak hours in office appliances, such as PCs, printers and copiers has evolved. At first, the prevailing wisdom was to turn off equipment when not in use. Later, these appliances were designed with built-in sleep modes that effectively tune down electrical usage when not in use for extended periods of time. This is known as Computer Power Management. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Energystar.gov website, you can save up to $50 per computer annually by allowing your computers to enter into their built-in sleep mode when not in use.

Phil Tornelli is a Business Energy Survey Program Manager with over 30 years of experience helping a wide range of customers from small- and medium-sized businesses to large manufacturing facilities reduce their energy costs and improve energy efficiency.

Question:
You say office temperatures should be set between 82 and 85 degrees F when the offices are not occupied by people.  But I have several PCs, Macs and workstations in my offices (primarily video editing and graphic workstations that run 24/7) and I've always been told to keep the temperature below 78 during off-hours to prolong the life of this equipment.  Please comment.

Ken S., Fort Myers

Answer: It’s usually a good idea to check with your specific product manufacturers regarding recommended operating conditions for their products. A quick search of recommended operating parameters for computers found two manufacturers suggesting suitable conditions between 50 and 95 degrees F for many of their computer units and even a broader temperature range for computer storage. 

The recommendation of 82 to 85 degrees while the space is unoccupied should be considered an energy efficiency goal. As with any sensitive application, it’s important that you carefully monitor your computer equipment for any issues and adjust temperature settings accordingly. In addition, it’s also a good practice to turn off or place in “Sleep Mode” any unused computers and monitors during those same unoccupied periods. Before turning them off, you may want to check with your IT department to ensure that they don’t require them to be left on for updating or monitoring purposes.

Phil Tornelli is a Business Energy Survey Program Manager with over 30 years of experience helping a wide range of customers from small- and medium-sized businesses to large manufacturing facilities reduce their energy costs and improve energy efficiency.

Question:
What is the best way to conserve energy at my business? Leave the A/C on and turn up the thermostat, or turn it off when we close?
-Jimmy A., Palm Bay

Answer:
Whenever you turn off your A/C or raise the thermostat, you’ll always save money. Even if your cooling system has to play “catch up” in the morning when you bring the temperature back down, it is still more economical than keeping an unoccupied building cool all night long.

Comfort level
It’s unpleasant to come into a warm and stuffy building first thing in the morning. If the A/C is kept off until the work day begins, it could take a while to get the temperature to a level that’s comfortable for employees and customers. We recommend turning down the A/C early enough to achieve a cool comfort level by the time employees arrive in the morning. Programmable thermostats can help you do this. In terms of how long it might take you to cool down your building, every facility is different due to its size, equipment and cooling system. As a general rule, try turning the A/C on 30 minutes before you open and increase it in 30 minute increments as needed.

In hotter months, your A/C can run up to twice as long as it does in cooler months. That’s because as the days get longer and hotter, the cooling system in your business needs to run longer to keep employees and customers comfortable. Additionally, it’s normal for your  A/C to run longer in the morning if you had the thermostat raised to a higher temperature or turned off overnight.

Other cooling & savings tips
Because air conditioning is a top contributor to your energy costs, we suggest keeping your thermostat set to 78 degrees during the day, when the building is in use. If you prefer to keep your cooling system on overnight, 82 degrees could be a good setting to try.

During the summer months, your cooling system needs all the help it can get to keep the heat out and your electric bills low. Don’t forget something as simple as closing shades and blinds to keep out the sun’s rays. To save energy even further, consider installing window tinting on any windows with a westerly exposure, as they let in direct sunlight at the hottest time of the day. View our other top savings tips.

We hope you found this Energy Answer column helpful. If you have an energy-related question pertaining to your business, just submit your question. Or, get personalized energy advice by scheduling a free FPL Business Energy Evaluation.

Craig Muccio runs FPL's Conservation Research & Development Program and crunches the numbers.

Question:
Around my office, there are a lot of vacations scheduled this time of year. What’s the best way to save when employees are away?
-Julie N., Boynton Beach

Answer:
There are always opportunities to save around your office, especially when employees are away for a few days or weeks. The easiest targets are the items around the office that are always running, even when no one is around. As you’ll see, that’s the main focus of my pre-vacation checklist for you and your employees:

Computers: Off
We always recommend turning off office computers when they’re not going to be used for more than 20 minutes. Turn off both the computer and monitor if they aren’t needed for more than 2 hours. As a best practice throughout the year, it’s also a good idea to activate the sleep mode on all computers and monitors. This will help you save energy even if employees forget to turn off their computers.

Tip: When it comes to powering down a computer, be sure that it doesn’t need to be left on overnight for software updates. If that’s the case, a “smart strip” might be the way to go. Smart strips will keep power flowing to devices that need it, while fully powering down non-essential items.

Other equipment: Unplug
Copiers, printers and cell phone chargers are just a few of the items around your office that use electricity even when no one is using them. This includes anything operating in standby mode, containing a power adaptor (often seen as a cube on the cord) or showing a constant digital display. These items typically feel slightly warm even when not in use. Ask your employees to help you pinpoint the equipment that isn’t needed while they’re gone and, then, unplug them.

Tip: Plug equipment into power strips so that you can quickly and easily cut off electricity to multiple devices with one switch.

Lights: Off
Lighting is one of the biggest energy users in any business. So, it’s important to avoid leaving lights on in offices or rooms that aren’t used for extended periods. Occupancy sensors can help with this. They detect if people are present and turn off lights if they’re not needed. Learn about this and other top tips for saving money.

Closing down your business for a vacation?
The same tips above apply. You’ll also want to ensure that your HVAC system is set at the right temperature for energy savings during unoccupied hours. Try setting your thermostat to about 82 degrees. We don’t recommend turning off your cooling system for long periods of time, like a whole weekend or week, because humidity can seep in whenever your HVAC system isn’t running.

Have more questions?
You can schedule a free FPL Business Energy Evaluation and get personalized recommendations from one of our energy experts. You may also submit a question, and we may feature it in an upcoming column.

Craig Muccio runs FPL's Conservation Research & Development Program and crunches the numbers.

Question:
At my business, our air conditioning seems to run for quite a while, particularly in the morning. Is this normal?
- Kathy C., Stuart

Answer:
In hotter months, your HVAC system can run up to twice as long as it does in cooler months. That’s because as the days get longer and hotter, the cooling system in your business needs to run longer to keep employees and customers comfortable. Additionally, it’s normal for your air conditioner to run longer in the morning if you had the thermostat raised to a higher temperature or turned off overnight. Meanwhile, if it’s not cooling as well as it used to in past years, then it’s a good idea to have the system checked by a licensed air-conditioning contractor.

The ideal setting for savings
Air conditioning is one of the largest energy users in your business throughout the year, and even more so in the summer. We suggest keeping your thermostat set to 78 degrees during the day, when your building is occupied, and 82 degrees while your business is closed.

Even if your cooling system has to play “catch up” in the morning when you bring the temperature back down, it is still more economical than keeping an unoccupied building cool all night long. Whenever you can raise your thermostat, you’ll always save money.   

Other ways to save
During the summer months, your cooling system needs all the help it can get to keep the heat out and your electric bills low. Don’t forget something as simple as closing shades and blinds to keep out the sun’s rays. To save energy even further, consider installing window tinting on any windows with a westerly exposure, as they let in direct sunlight at the hottest time of the day. View our other top savings tips.

Schedule a Business Energy Evaluation
We can help you find energy-saving solutions tailored to your business’ unique energy needs. By scheduling a free Business Energy Evaluation, or BEE, one of our Energy Experts will come to your business, evaluate your energy use and provide personalized recommendations. Schedule an evaluation today.

View your personal Business Energy Dashboard
If you have an activated smart meter; you can see how the outside temperature and other factors impact your bill by month, day and hour. Be sure to look for energy use at unexpected times, a possible sign of equipment running when you’re not aware of it. Here’s how you can get started.

We’re always working to provide electricity you can count on at the lowest cost, while helping you find ways to make your bill even lower. Submit your energy question.

Craig Muccio runs FPL's Conservation Research & Development Program and crunches the numbers.

Question:
Which are the biggest electrical loads in my business?
- Bob F. from Miami, FL

Answer:
Here in Florida, your heating, air conditioning and ventilation (HVAC) system tops the list as the biggest energy user in your business. But, lighting is actually close behind. Here are the top three electrical loads that use the most electricity in a business, and my recommendations for cutting costs:

#1 HVAC system
This is your top energy user because it works hard, year-round, to keep your business cool for your employees and customers. To save energy and money, FPL recommends keeping your A/C thermostat set to 78 degrees when you are open for business. If you are looking for a way to save a few bucks, every degree you raise the temperature on your thermostat will reduce your cooling costs. The rule of thumb is that you can get about a 3 percent HVAC savings for each degree you raise the thermostat setting. FPL has an HVAC incentive program to help you buy a more efficient model when it's time to replace an HVAC unit.

#2 Lighting
In a business, it costs nearly as much to operate your lighting as your HVAC system. In fact, interior lighting accounts for more than 25 percent of a business’s energy consumption in most businesses. Replacing or retrofitting your current lighting systems with energy efficient lighting can result in significant savings. And, today there are several options to consider, including ultra-efficient LED lighting available for some applications. FPL can help you learn more about lighting and available programs.

#3 Ventilation
Ventilation plays a sizable role in how much your HVAC system has to run. All businesses are required to bring in some fresh outside air. The amount of ventilation varies according to things like square footage or number of occupants. Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERVs) can help your business cut your energy costs by as much as 10 percent by recovering energy from building exhaust air and reusing it to precondition fresh, outside air required for ventilation. That means, the ERV system takes the cooler, drier building exhaust air and uses it to pre-treat and pre-cool incoming air so your air conditioner doesn’t have to work as hard. Demand Control Ventilation (DCV) equipment can also help. These systems adjust your building’s ventilation based on occupancy to reduce the amount of outside air whenever possible so your air conditioner won’t have to run as long. 

If you are considering buying office equipment, remember to look for the ENERGY STAR® label to ensure it will be energy efficient.

Tools you can use

• View your online Energy Dashboard to see your actual energy use by month, day or hour.
• Schedule a Business Energy Evaluation to get a detailed analysis of your home's energy use with personalized savings tips.

For your reference, you can review the U.S. Department of Energy water heater efficiency requirements which are scheduled to take effect April 16, 2015.

Andy Hooper is a Lead Tax Exemption Technician for FPL. He oversees the maintenance and filing of tax exemption documentation that supports the exemption status of our FPL customers.

Question:
Is my business eligible for a tax exemption on my electricity purchase?

Answer:
If your organization is a manufacturer, government entity, school, agricultural organization, non-profit organization, charity, church, or nursing home you may be eligible for a Florida sales tax exemption on your electricity purchase.

Your business may qualify for tax exemptions that could help you save money if you are charged a Florida sales tax on your electric bill. Certain types of exemptions may even qualify your business for a refund of up to 3 years of taxes paid.

Tax exemptions are available to a wide variety of customers. Eligible businesses may include:

• Agriculture
• Condos & Homeowners Associations
• Direct Pay Permit
• Government Entities
• Non-Profit Organization
• Religious Institutions
• Manufacturing
• Nursing Homes
• Charities
• Schools
• Enterprise Zone Businesses
  

Visit FPL.com/rates/tax-exemptions for more and to download tax exemption forms.

To learn if your business qualifies for any of the following exemptions or refunds, please contact the Florida Department of Revenue directly at 1-800-352-3671.

Craig Muccio runs FPL's Conservation Research & Development Program and crunches the numbers.

Question:
I’m a new small business owner and I'd like to learn more about water heating efficiency and any available incentives. Can you show me where to go for the latest information?

Answer:
Actually, there is a change coming soon to the efficiency requirements for water heaters. If your business uses an electric water heater with a storage capacity over 55 gallons, there is some important information you may want to know about. A new energy efficiency rule from the U.S. Department of Energy requires that electric water heaters manufactured after April 16, 2015, with a capacity over 55 gallons must have an Energy Factor (EF) of about 2.0. As a comparison, new conventional electric resistance water heaters up to 55 gallons will have an EF of 0.95 or less. If you need more than 55 gallons of stored hot water, the good news is the new generation of electric heat pump water heaters will meet the new standard and enable you to cut your water heating bill in half!

For your reference, you can review the U.S. Department of Energy water heater efficiency requirements which are scheduled to take effect April 16, 2015.

Craig Muccio runs FPL's Conservation Research & Development Program and crunches the numbers.

Thank you for your submission. The cost-saving benefit of replacing a conventional electric water heater with a tankless electric heater is often overestimated. The energy savings from eliminating the heat losses through a typical insulated storage tank is only around 10 percent. Tankless water heaters (sometimes called instantaneous water heaters) don’t have a water storage tank and therefore water has to be heated much more quickly as it passes through a compact heating unit and typically requires an upgraded electrical circuit to handle the extra power. 

Now there is an attractive alternative to tankless water heaters called a heat pump water heater (HPWH) which requires no electrical upgrades and can save up to 60 percent on water heating costs. Modern heat pump water heaters which take up no more floor space than conventional heaters are reliable and available from several familiar manufacturers with warranties of around 10 years. 

Kena Williams works to deliver a flawless billing and payment experience for our customers.

Question: 

Yes or no? Can you do these 5 things with your Email or Online Bill?

Answer:
Whether you’re one of our nearly 2 million customers receiving FPL Email Bill® or you still get a paper bill mailed to you, there are several new upgrades that are making it even easier to do the things you want to do with your bill. Every customer has access to an online version of their bill which allows them to print bills, access billing and payment history and view energy usage easier than ever. If you’re an Email Bill customer, you have access to even more features, including one-click access to paying, printing and more – straight from your inbox. We upgraded these tools based on customer feedback and we’re still listening. In fact, here are five tips for using either your online bill or email bill, based on questions from customers, like you.

1. I like my new online bill. Can I print it for my records? Yes! Your newly upgraded online bill is easier to download, save and print. In fact, it now fits on one page. If you’re an FPL Email Bill® customer, you have even more features, such as the ability to download, print and save your bill right from your email with one click. Simply select the “Download Bill” link on your Email Bill. If you’re not an Email Bill customer, but log into FPL.com to view your bill online, you can print your bill from your Account Summary and View Bill pages. From Account Summary, click on the PDF “Print & Save” icon at the top of the page. From your View Bill page, click on the “Download Bill” button.
2. Can see how much energy I’m using? You can! Customers can now see how much energy they’re using and find new ways to save because we added valuable energy usage information right to your Online and Email bill. The new FPL Email Bill makes it easier to get this information. With one click right from your email, you can access comparative tables and graphs that help you see changes in energy use habits from month-to-month and year-to-year.
3. I’m afraid I’ll forget to pay if I sign-up for Email Bill. Don’t worry, we’ll remind you. As an Email Bill customer, we automatically send you a reminder to pay if you haven’t done so three days before your bill is due. We also recommend the fail-safe plan for remembering to pay your bill on time – signing-up for FPL Automatic Bill Pay®. You can choose to have your payment deducted anytime between 11 to 21 days after your FPL Email Bill is sent.
4. I tried FPL Email Bill before but could never remember my login information to view my bill details. This was a common challenge and one of the first improvements we made. Now, customers enrolled in FPL Email Bill are able to access their bill on FPL.com in one click. We call it “one-click access” and think you’re going to really enjoy this new, secure way of accessing the most popular billing and payment features. To learn more about the new Email Bill, visit www.FPL.com/newupgrade.
5. I am a realtor and I want to see last year’s billing and payment breakdown. How do I get a printout of activity in 2013? We designed the new Online Bill and Email Bill with this mind. That’s why you can now access up to 24 months of billing history anytime online. In one-click from your Email Bill, you will be taken to your online bill where you can view your billing and payment history. With FPL Email Bill, we can serve as your filing cabinet and help you clear away the clutter.

With a brand new design and increased functionality, it is now easier than ever to read and pay your bill right from your inbox. These are just a few ways we’ve improved your billing and payment experience. 

Craig Muccio runs FPL's Conservation Research & Development Program and crunches the numbers.

Question:
Will it help to turn my air conditioner off every night to save on my electric bill?
- Josette S. from North Miami Beach

Answer:
Whenever you turn off your A/C or raise the thermostat, you’ll always save money. Even if your cooling system has to play “catch up” in the morning when you bring the temperature back down, it is still more economical than keeping an unoccupied building cool all night long. However, while it may be more economical, there are downsides to turning off your A/C completely, or letting your building get too warm.

Comfort level
There’s nothing worse than coming into a warm and stuffy building first thing in the morning. If the A/C is kept off until the work day begins, it could take a while to get the temperature to a level that’s comfortable for employees and customers. We recommend turning down the A/C early enough to achieve a cool comfort level by the time employees arrive in the morning. Programmable thermostats can help you do this. In terms of how long it might take you to cool down your building, every facility is different due to its size, equipment, and cooling system. So you’ll have to determine what works best for you.

Other cooling tips
Because air conditioning is a top contributor to your energy costs, we suggest keeping your thermostat set to 78 degrees during the day, when the building is in use. If you prefer to keep your cooling system on overnight, 82 degrees could be a good setting to try. We don’t recommend turning off your cooling system for long periods of time, like a whole weekend, because humidity can seep in whenever your HVAC system isn’t running.

We hope you found this Energy Answer column helpful. If you have an energy-related question pertaining to your business, just submit your question. Or, get personalized energy advice by scheduling a free FPL Business Energy Evaluation.

Enrique Formoso manages FPL’s street light programs & helps find new technology to save customers money.

Question:

I would like to change my existing parking lights to LED fixtures. Does FPL have a program that I can use?
- Tomasz M. from West Palm Beach, Fla.

Answer:
Customers can purchase energy-efficient LED street and road lights under FPL’s Premium Lighting Program. We’re always looking for ways to leverage technology to help our customers and are pleased to now offer a variety of advanced roadway and street lights that are more environmentally friendly and will help our customers like you save money.

We provide a range of LED lighting options - including post-top, side mount and roadway fixtures - to help convert existing lights to energy-efficient LED technology.

Compared to traditional sodium-vapor lighting technology, LEDs offer the following improvements:

• Efficiency: LED lighting is more energy efficient, which offers cost savings of approximately 60 percent
• Appearance: LED lighting is whiter, brighter and more consistent
• Environmental benefits: LED lighting does not use mercury

Get more information or request a price quote.

Craig Muccio runs FPL's Conservation Research & Development Program and crunches the numbers.

Question:
My bill was much higher compared to last month, and I haven’t done anything differently. What caused this?
- Peter L. from North Miami Beach

Answer:o   No one likes surprises, particularly when it comes to your expenses. When you haven’t changed your habits, it’s understandable how a higher than normal bill might not seem to make sense. But, while you haven’t changed anything, the weather has changed.

High temperatures = higher bills

Even if you never change the thermostat setting, as the days get longer and hotter, the cooling system in your business needs to run longer to keep employees and customers comfortable.

For example, in hotter months, your HVAC system can run up to twice as long as it does in cooler months. Think of it this way: if the outside temperature is 80 degrees and you have the thermostat set to 78 degrees, then your system needs to cool your business just 2 degrees. However, when it’s 90 degrees outside, it needs to cool your business 12 degrees, running longer to keep the indoor temperature at 78 degrees. Your cooling system is one of the largest energy users for your business. So, when it’s running longer, your bill will be higher.

Other factors

Another reason your bill may seem higher than normal is the variation in billing cycle service days. The number of days included in your monthly bill can vary from 28 to 35 days due to holidays and other factors. So even if you use the same amount of electricity per day, your bill may be higher, or lower, from one month to the next depending on the number of days of service included in your bill.

Make your bill lower

As an FPL customer, you have one of the lowest electric bills in the state, but we always want to help you make your bill even lower. Here are a few things that can help you better manage your business expenses:

Top savings tips for your business include:

• Keeping your thermostat at 78 degrees or warmer with the fan on “auto” and raising the thermostat setting to 82 degrees while your business is closed
• Closing shades and blinds to keep the sun’s heat out. Also, consider installing window tinting on any windows with a westerly exposure, which lets in direct sunlight, to save energy even further.

Schedule a Business Energy Evaluation for energy-saving solutions tailored to your business’ unique energy needs. One of our Energy Experts will come to your business, evaluate your energy use and provide free, personalized recommendations.

View your personal Business Energy Manager to see how the outside temperature and other factors impact your bill. Be sure to look for energy use at unexpected times, a possible sign of equipment running when you’re not aware of it.

Sign up for FPL Budget Billing® to make your expenses more predictable and say goodbye to summer bill fluctuations. While not a savings plan, this program evens out your annual energy costs so you pay approximately the same amount each month.

We’re always working to provide electricity you can count on at the lowest cost, while helping you find ways to make your bill even lower.

Julie Nicholas loves sharing “news you can use” such as facts about FPL services and money-saving tips.

Question:
How can I stay informed if a hurricane hits our area?
- Sue T. from Palm Beach Gardens

Answer:
If you’ve been through a major storm here in Florida, you know how important information can be before, during and after a hurricane. As the storm approaches, protecting your business and keeping employees safe are your top priorities. Then, after it’s all over, you want to know how quickly your business will get back up and running.

That’s why we’re always here to help you get the information you need. Here are the top five ways to get updates from FPL on your mobile device or tablet:

1. Sign up for email alerts: Get preparation tips and restoration updates by email. If you already receive emails from FPL, check to see if you're signed up for hurricane updates. 
2. Visit FPL.com: This is your mobile-friendly, one-stop-spot to check on outages using FPL Power Tracker, report an outage online and more.
3. “Like” our Facebook page: We’re also here for you on Facebook at FPLconnect. Check back regularly for ongoing updates.
4. Follow us on Twitter: Is Twitter more your style? Frequent storm updates are available for you @InsideFPL.
5. Use our Storm Center: See how you can prepare – get safety tips and find the answers to our most frequently asked questions.

Don’t forget, FPL and emergency officials will always provide updates through the local news media. So, always try to have a radio with batteries on hand in case you’re unable to get updates via your mobile device, internet or TV.

Staying connected is extremely important during storm season. All of us here are committed to keeping you informed each and every day, especially when you need us most.

Craig Muccio runs FPL's Conservation Research & Development Program and crunches the numbers.

Question:
We’d love to make our bill even lower. Can you help?
- Cindy N. from Oakland Park

Answer:
Hi Cindy,
We are always looking for ways to help our business customers save money and there are a number of things you can do, but probably the easiest thing you can do is to enroll in our On Call® program.

When you volunteer to enroll in On Call, you help us meet the power needs of all customers when demand for energy is highest. In exchange for your participation, we’ll give you money back on your electric bill.

Here’s how it works:

• FPL will connect a small energy-management device to your Direct Expansion (DX) air conditioner (A/C).
• We may occasionally turn off your A/C remotely for short periods of time (15 minutes – or up to 17.5 minutes at a time, if necessary – every half hour with a cumulative interruption time of up to 2.5 hours within an eight-hour window, excluding emergency conditions).
• You will receive a monthly credit on your bill from April to October, even if we never turn off your equipment – your total savings will depend on the tonnage (size) of your A/C.

To qualify for On Call, your business must normally operate between 3 - 5 p.m. at least four days a week.

Breaking down the savings
You will save $2 per ton for each of the seven months your A/C is On Call.

For example, if you have a ten-ton A/C unit, you will save a total of $140 per year (10 tons x $2 = $20 per month, $20 x 7 months = $140).

If you have an even larger A/C, you can save even more. Customers with a 40 ton A/C could save up to $560 a year.

How to enroll:
Schedule a Business Energy Evaluation and an FPL energy expert will visit your business to determine eligibility.

Other ways to save:
When our energy expert visits your business, they will perform a Business Energy Evaluation and will provide you with a customized plan to help you save energy and money at your business. They will also tell you about programs which can help offset the cost of making energy efficiency upgrades.

Craig Muccio runs FPL's Conservation Research & Development Program and crunches the numbers.

Question:
What saves the most money? Putting my computer in sleep mode or turning it off and on when I need it?
- Anastasia R. from Venice, Fla.

Answer:
Every dollar counts towards your bottom line. That’s why we recommend you turn off your office computer when you are not using it. Another best practice is to activate the sleep mode on your computer and monitor. These features can help your business save money and are easy to implement.

Cost comparison
So what if you left your computer on 24 hours a day, 365 days a year? Here’s approximately how much it would cost:

• Powered on: $89 per year
• Sleep mode: $20 per year – nearly a $70 savings

These estimates are based on one desktop computer with an LCD screen. Laptops actually use less energy.

Myth busted
A question we often get is whether or not it costs more money to power a computer back up after turning it off. Generally, the extra savings you get from turning your computer off far outweigh the extra power used when starting it up the next time it’s needed.

Everyday tips
Here are some general guidelines for the most-efficient computer use:

• Turn off the monitor if you aren't going to use your computer for more than 20 minutes.
• Turn off both the computer and monitor if you're not going to use your computer for more than 2 hours.

We can help you find ways to save with our free Business Energy Evaluation.

Craig Muccio runs FPL's Conservation Research & Development Program and crunches the numbers.

Question:
How much does it cost to run a soda vending machine? It is an older machine and I need to know if it pays for itself.
-Tina D., Port St. Lucie

Answer:
A typical refrigerated vending machine can use 2,500 to 4,400 kilowatt-hours of energy per year. That means the average cost to run one machine can range from $250 to $440 annually.

As with most appliances or equipment, the newer the model, the more efficient it is. So, if your profit margin from your soda sales isn’t as much as you’d like, you may want to consider taking your proceeds and reinvesting them into an ENERGY STAR-qualified vending machine equipped with higher efficiency compressors, fan motors, lighting systems and smart software. These vending options can use 50 percent less energy than conventional models.  Additionally, you may want to consider using occupancy sensors, which turn off the machine’s lights when no one is around, to reduce operating costs.

If you’d like to learn more ways to save in your business, we can help. Just schedule a free, in-person Business Energy Evaluation with one of our Energy Experts.

Additional resources: E Source and ENERGY STAR

Craig Muccio runs FPL's Conservation Research & Development Program and crunches the numbers.

Question:
What are some no-cost or low-cost energy tips for my business?

Answer:
We’re here to help business owners trim costs and gain control over their energy usage. Fortunately, making energy-saving changes doesn’t have to be a big capital expense. Here are some of our top no-cost or low-cost ways to be more energy-efficient:

1. Enable the sleep mode on office computers to achieve savings up to $20 per year for each computer.
2. Save up to 30 percent by using smart power strips to regulate energy use on equipment such as computers, copiers and printers.
3. Installing occupancy sensors in rooms in your facility that are not always in use could reduce your total lighting costs by 15 percent.
4. Save $30 or more in electricity with each replacement of a traditional incandescent light bulb for a Compact Fluorescent Lamp (CFL) or light-emitting diodes (LED) over its lifetime. They use 75-80 percent less energy and last 10-25 times longer.

See more tips for curbing energy costs. Or, if you want more personalized tips geared to your specific business, just schedule a free Business Energy Evaluation with one of our energy experts. We’ll evaluate your business’s energy use and give you a customized report with energy-saving solutions. Let us help you find ways to save and make your electric bill even lower today.

Kathy Schmitt is a member of FPL's Business Program Management team, overseeing the Business Lighting and Building Envelope programs.

Question:
I was once told that it takes more energy to turn a light on and off than it does to just leave it on for 10 minutes or so. Is this true?
Patricia H., Boca Raton

Answer:
There is a little extra electricity involved in turning a light on due to more power needed during startup. However, the amount used is less than it would be if you leave lights on. Therefore, we typically recommend turning off lights whenever they are not needed.

Factors you may want to consider, though, are the lifespan of the bulb, its efficiency and whether it has a warm-up stage after it’s turned on. The cost effectiveness of turning off lights depends on the type of bulb.

Linear fluorescent and CFL Lighting
For fluorescent lighting, the answer depends on the frequency and length of time you turn your lights on and off. The operating life of linear fluorescent and CFL bulbs is affected by the number of times they are switched on and off. You can generally extend the life of these bulbs by switching them on and off less frequently.

You’ll save energy by turning the light off, so you’ll need to determine if the savings outweighs the cost of replacing the light bulb if it fails early due to frequent switching.

LED Lighting
The operating life of an LED is unaffected by being turned on and off. Therefore, it’s always best to turn them off whenever they are not needed.

Halogen lighting
Halogen bulbs, while more efficient than traditional incandescent bulbs, are less efficient than CFLs and LEDs. They should be turned off when they’re not in use.

High-energy discharge (HID) lighting
HID lighting, such as metal halide bulbs, has to warm up after being turned on. They also have a cool-down state after being turned off, during which they can’t restart. Therefore, they should only be turned off when they will remain shut down for longer than 15 minutes. 

Incandescent Lighting
Incandescent lights should be turned off whenever they are not needed, because they are the least efficient type of lighting. Ninety percent of the energy they use is given off as heat, and only about 10 percent results in light.

Craig Muccio runs FPL's Conservation Research & Development Program and crunches the numbers.

Question:
What is the safest, most efficient way to use holiday lights during the festive season?
– Robert R., Boynton Beach

Answer:
If you decorate your business this year to add holiday cheer, follow these tips to help keep you and your customers safe:

• Use LED lights whenever possible. They burn at a cooler temperature than traditional bulbs and use 90 percent less electricity.
• When using ladders to install lights, look up and look out! Be aware of the location of power lines, staying at least 10 feet away.
• Only use indoor lights inside and outdoor lights outside. Always use the correct type and wattage of bulbs for your display, and don’t plug in more than three strands of lights per extension cord or outlet.
• Use timers to control your lights when your business is closed. Don’t leave holiday lights on overnight.

In fact, it’s safest to switch them off when you leave your premises. Always use quality lighting products in the proper way to reduce the chance of electrical shock and fire. See more lighting tips for your business.

Craig Muccio runs FPL's Conservation Research & Development Program and crunches the numbers.

Question:
Are tankless water heaters better than traditional water heaters?
- Felix, G. Miami

Answer:
This type of upgrade is definitely one of those situations where you need to weigh the pros and cons to determine what’s best for your individual business.

The “pros”
The main advantage of tankless water heaters is that they take up less space. You’ll also see some energy savings, typically less than 10 percent, because tankless systems heat water only when hot water is needed. That means you avoid the small amount of heat that escapes from a traditional hot water storage tank.

The “cons”
The downside of electric tankless water heaters is that they can have substantially higher power requirements than a conventional water heater. In fact, it takes two to six times more power for a tankless heater to instantly heat the water as it flows through the pipe. This can result in the need to upgrade the electrical wiring and circuit breakers at your business—added expenses that may make tankless heaters a cost-prohibitive option for you.

Michael Jarro is director of network operations for FPL. He oversees the company’s emergency preparedness and processes for restoring power safely and quickly after a storm.

Question:
If there was a hurricane, how long would it take to restore power?
Mariela D., West Palm Beach, FL

Answer:
Without a storm on the horizon, it’s hard to say how long it could take to restore power. Each storm is different, with different restoration challenges like flooding or hard-to-reach damage. But, our mission after a storm is always the same—to get our communities and businesses back up and running quickly. In fact, we’re always looking for ways to make restoration faster and there are several ways we do that.

Calling in reinforcements
When strong storms approach, we get a head start on response time by pre-positioning workers and equipment, while actively securing additional restoration workers from out of state. Having these reinforcements ready helps us restore power to communities faster. As soon as it’s safe, these crews begin working following our time-tested restoration plan and they won’t stop until everyone’s lights are back on.

Technology and investments speeding restoration
Another way we’re making restoration faster is with technology. Our smart grid can help us pinpoint the location of outages and send crews to make repairs faster. We’re also accelerating our ongoing work to strengthen the system that brings power to your business. Learn how we’ll be investing approximately half a billion dollars over the next three years to strengthen our grid against severe weather—work that will help to reduce outages and speed restoration.

Keeping informed
If a hurricane knocks out your power, you can get the latest information about restoration efforts via Twitter, Facebook, our online Power Tracker and our Storm Center. We also encourage you to sign up to get email updates from us.

Craig Muccio runs FPL's Conservation Research & Development Program and crunches the numbers.

Question:
What can you tell me about this new "spray on" insulation that some businesses are using on the underside of their roof? Also, is the old attic insulation still needed after the product is applied?
– Bob G., Bradenton

Answer:
If you would like to increase your attic insulation level, spray foam insulation may be a good option for you. It can be sprayed into walls, ceilings, floors, crawlspaces and attics at any point. Insulation like rigid foam board may be installed under roofing material when installing a new roof.​

If your building has a sealed, unvented attic, spraying foam on the underside of the roof provides increased savings compared to other attic insulation products. In fact, spray foam insulation can seal the attic from outside air and provide an insulating value of R19, the recommended level. Attic insulation helps to keep your interior temperature at a comfortable level while your A/C unit doesn’t have to run as much.

Also, although your existing attic insulation may no longer provide much benefit, it can often be cost prohibitive to remove existing insulation. There is no harm in leaving the old insulation when applying new spray foam insulation.

Kathy Schmitt is a member of FPL's Business Program Management team, overseeing the Business Lighting and Building Envelope programs.

Question:
Can you tell me if there are any rebates on retrofitting our 400-watt HID (high-intensity discharge) lighting to an induction light, approximately 200 watts? We have 40 lights that we would like to change.

Answer:
Yes, FPL offers an incentive of $15 per fixture for qualifying induction lamps installed by an FPL participating independent contractor (PIC). Get information on lighting incentives and PICs.

While certain induction products do qualify, this is not a common retrofit, as induction lighting systems can be more expensive than other efficient lighting technologies.  However, the life of induction is much longer – usually 100,000 hours compared to the 15,000-20,0000-hour life of a 400-watt metal halide HID lamp – so fixtures that have high maintenance costs, such as ones that are hard to reach and costly to replace, are often a good fit for this type of bulb.  The lamp you select is truly dependent on your facility’s individual needs, so it is always best to get a professional opinion – and you can start with one of FPL’s PICs. 

More common retrofits for a 400-watt metal halide HID lamp include:

• A pulse-start metal halide with electronic ballasts: Compared to a more traditional “probe-start” HID lamp, pulse-start metal halides offer a number of benefits, including: brighter light; more lumens per watt for greater efficiency; improved light output over time; a faster startup to achieve full brightness more quickly; and longer lamp life, which results in fewer replacements and lower maintenance costs over time.
• T5 high-output (T5HO) linear fluorescents with electronic ballasts:  Also known as F-bay by the industry, a replacement T5HO lamp is much more efficient. A typical four-lamp fixture replacement uses approximately 200 watts of electricity, compared to the more than 400 watts used by a 400-watt metal halide.  New T5HO lamps also produce better light and color quality, experience less light loss over the course of their lives, and provide instant-on characteristics to achieve full brightness immediately. The lamp life is similar to 400-watt HIDs.

For more information on fluorescent lamps, you may also visit FPL’s Business Energy Advisor online for helpful information on Full-Size Fluorescent Lamps or schedule a Business Energy Evaluation for more customized tips for your business.

Kathy Schmitt is a member of FPL's Business Program Management team, overseeing the Business Lighting and Building Envelope programs.

Question:
Which light bulb is better to use, CFL or LED? Should I be concerned about the mercury in CFL bulbs?

Answer:
The light bulb market is advancing at an astonishing rate as manufacturers race to create more and more efficient lighting that’s pleasing to the eye and easy on the budget. Compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) and light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs both have brought huge efficiency improvements over the traditional bulb.

CFLs are a better value
All things considered, CFL may be the better value for your workplace than today’s LED options. Both bulbs emit less heat and last longer than the traditional bulb, but CFLs cost significantly less up front than LEDs while providing better distribution of light. A series of LED bulb studies sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy cited insufficient light output and inconsistent color quality among a range of LED models. According to Energy Star, CFLs can save you more than $50 in electricity (over the life of the lamp) over a traditional bulb and are available for most types of fixtures in your business.

Perspective on mercury levels
CFLs do contain a small amount of mercury—an average of four milligrams per bulb. This amount reflects a drop in CFL mercury content of about 20 percent in recent years. For perspective, an old mercury thermometer contains about 500 mg of mercury.

How to safely handle and dispose of CFLs
The mercury sealed inside the CFL tube is not released as long as the bulb remains unbroken. Always screw and unscrew CFL bulbs by holding the base, not the glass, and never forcefully twist the CFL into a light socket. If a CFL bulb does break or burn out, follow the Environmental Protection Agency’s recommendations for recycling and/or disposing of CFLs safely.

See how you can get an incentive for lighting upgrades to your business. 

Craig Muccio runs FPL's Conservation Research & Development Program and crunches the numbers.

Question:
Why do plugged-in electric items use electricity when turned off? If current isn't flowing, why are they taking power? -- John D., St. Augustine

Answer:
What you’re describing is called energy phantoms, or “phantom loads.” Many devices used in your home or business consume electricity even when they are turned “off.” Current continues to flow, keeping them ready to operate at all times. That’s why adapters plugged into the wall feel slightly warm even when not in use.

Fortunately, these energy phantoms account for only a tiny fraction of the energy use compared to when devices are “on.“ But, in an office or workplace, where you may have a number of electronic devices per employee, these costs can really add up.

Common energy phantoms in the workplace include anything operating in standby mode, with a power adaptor or transformer (often seen as a cube on the cord), or showing a constant digital display. Phantoms include items like:

• Copiers, printers and fax machines
• Computers and computer monitors
• Computer speakers
• Cell phone chargers

The best ways to keep energy phantoms at bay is by:

• Unplugging devices when they are not in use.
• Plugging multiple 'phantoms' into one power strip so that you can quickly and easily cut off power completely to multiple devices with one switch. Just be sure your computer doesn’t need to be left on overnight for software updates. If that’s the case, a “smart strip” might be the way to go. Smart strips will keep power flowing to devices that need it, while fully powering down non-essential items.
• Purchasing ENERGY STAR® qualified electronics when possible so that even when your devices are consuming a phantom load, they are consuming less energy.

Visit our Top Tips for businesses to learn additional ways to conserve energy.

Craig Muccio runs FPL's Conservation Research & Development Program and crunches the numbers.

Question:
I need to purchase a new rooftop A/C for a 1,400-square-foot space. Where can I find information on energy-efficient units? Also, are solar-powered units available?
- Michael B., Bonita Springs

Answer:
Air conditioning (A/C) is typically the largest part of a company’s energy consumption, so selecting a more energy efficient option is a great choice to help lower your electric bill. Further savings can also be realized through FPL's Business Direct-Expansion (DX) A/C Program, which helps businesses offset the costs of a new, qualified A/C unit. To get started, I suggest that you do the following:

• Find an FPL Participating Independent Contractor: Finding a PIC for FPL's Business Direct-Expansion A/C Program will help you understand what size A/C unit would be optimal for your business.*
• Participate in FPL’s Business DX A/C Program:  As mentioned above, this program will provide incentives based on the size, the type, and the efficiency of the new unit. Once the work is complete, and has been approved by FPL, the rebate will be paid to the customer or designated vendor. Qualifying units must meet set criteria, including exceeding Florida’s building code by 7 percent. 

As you go through this process, remember that a high-efficiency unit may cost more initially, but the operating cost savings could more than pay for the cost of upgrading the efficiency over time.  Here are the types of savings you might expect from qualifying DX air conditioners based on the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) (measure of cooling-mode efficiency representing ratio of total cooling capacity to electrical energy input) and hours of operation:

The additional investment in an efficient A/C should ideally be offset by energy savings. Unfortunately, while there is at least one major brand of solar-powered commercial A/C units available, the upfront costs of a solar unit cannot be offset by bill savings at this time. The decision to purchase a solar A/C unit would be made for environmental reasons.

For additional advice from an FPL energy expert on upgrading to a high-efficiency system, or qualifying for our DX A/C Program, you can schedule a free Business Energy Evaluation.

*PIC search applies if you’re pursuing a unit 5 tons or smaller.

Craig Muccio runs FPL's Conservation Research & Development Program and crunches the numbers.

Question:
At work, we operate about 200 computers, and 90 percent of them have two monitors. If I change all of the monitors from LCD to LED, what will I save in a year?
– Hernan D., Miami

Answer:
Continual improvements in design and manufacturing have made the computer technology we use in our homes and offices much more energy-efficient.

Consumers are most likely to purchase a liquid crystal display (LCD) or a light emitting diode (LED) computer monitor, both of which demand a fraction of the CRT’s energy usage. When comparing the energy efficiency of LCD models to LED models, the most significant difference is the number of watts needed to power the monitor. An average LCD monitor requires about 28 watts, while an average LED monitor requires about half that amount, or 14 watts.

Assuming your office monitors are in use about eight hours and in sleep mode for 16 hours a day, five days a week, the LCD monitors require about $9 of electricity annually, and the LED monitors require about $4 annually. By switching, you have the potential to save about $5 per monitor, or about $1,000 a year.

Anne-Louise Seabury is FPL’s Electric Vehicles Program Manager. She attends numerous trade shows and community events as FPL’s ambassador for EVs.

Question:
Does FPL support electric vehicles?
- Steve W., Plantation, FL

Answer:
At FPL, our support of electric vehicles begins with our fleet, as a demonstration of our commitment to clean energy. However, we are also working to make electric vehicle (EV) adoption easier and more understandable for businesses interested in learning more about their options for more environmentally friendly transportation.

We’re investing in a cleaner future: FPL was an early adopter of EV technology and today operates the largest green fleet of any investor-owned utility in the country, with 1,700 biodiesel-powered vehicles and 471 plug-in or hybrid-electric vehicles – including hybrid and plug-in hybrid electric bucket trucks. At the 2009 Clinton Global Initiative, FPL committed to convert our entire fleet of more than 2,400 company cars and trucks to plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) by 2020. By December 2011, we had more than 40 EVs in our fleet, with plans to add more as they become commercially available.

The benefits of EV: Whether you're looking at converting company cars, a corporate fleet, buses, or even "off-road" vehicles – like forklifts, golf carts or tugs – to EVs, the benefits are clear for your bottom line, the environment and the safety of your employees:

• Cost savings: You can charge an EV for approximately 80 percent less than what you usually spend at the gas pump. Also, because our standard electric rates are below the national average, FPL customers can charge for even less. These savings have the potential to be substantial for business fleets.
• Emissions reduction: EVs powered by FPL’s electricity have 70 percent fewer emissions than gasoline-powered vehicles and are 37 percent cleaner than EVs powered by utilities in other parts of the U.S.
• Improved energy independence: The nation’s light-duty vehicle fleet accounts for roughly 45 percent of total U.S. oil consumption. Transitioning the fleet to EVs would reduce oil imports by more than three million barrels per day in 2030.
• Environmental responsibility: The environmental benefits of EVs – including emissions and oil reduction – can help companies brand themselves as sustainable and responsible.
• Health and safety: The Chevy Volt and Nissan Leaf are “Top Safety Picks” for the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).  And all EVs produced by major auto manufacturers are held to the same safety standards set by the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) as conventional vehicles. Additionally, electric vehicles, like forklifts in a factory setting, can contribute to quieter and cleaner work environments.
• Reliability: EVs are expected to be very reliable – they are simple and inexpensive to maintain, have far fewer moving parts and produce less heat than gas-powered vehicles – and therefore experience much less wear and tear. 

Supporting our customers: FPL’s EV Program will support customer adoption of EVs by:

• Addressing customer needs and expectations and serving as a source of information about electric vehicles and safe, affordable charging
• Ensuring the necessary infrastructure is in place to maintain high levels of service reliability, which is currently among the best in the country and 38 percent better than the national average
• Supporting the expansion of the EV market in numerous ways, including adding more EVs to our fleet and engaging community leaders, commercial customers and other stakeholders on EV-related initiatives.

Fuel Cost Comparison – Gas vs. Electric Vehicle

Assumptions:

• Conventional vehicle averages 25 mpg and $3.50 per gallon fuel
• Nissan Leaf averages 34 kwh per 100 miles and 8.508 cents per kwh
• Transit Connect Electric averages 54 kwh per 100 miles and 8.508 cents per kwh
• Transit Connect Gas averages 23 mpg and $3.50 per gallon fuel

Bruce Martinez, Director of FPL's Network Operations, manages power restoration and emergency preparedness for FPL.

Question:
I heard that when there are major outages after a hurricanes power is first restored to critical areas where there are hospitals, police and fire stations. How can I find out if I am on one of the first priority grids?
- Rom M, Fort Myers

Answer:
When FPL gets to work restoring power after a major outage, we follow a proven plan of action. Our top priority is to make sure that power plants, transmission lines and substations that provide electric service to large numbers of homes and businesses are operational.

We then restore power to the most critical community functions such as hospitals, police and fire stations, and 911 communication centers. We also focus on restoring power to major thoroughfares that host supermarkets, gas stations and other essential community services. If your business is located within one of these areas, you might find yourself restored and able to play an active role in the community you serve, helping everyone get back to normal after a storm. Our plan is to restore the greatest possible number of homes and businesses in the shortest time.

For security reasons, we do not give out specific information about grid structures, but I can tell you that FPL does not prioritize restoration based on when a customer reported an outage or the status of your account. We begin with the hardest-hit areas first and continue working until everyone's lights are back on.

Eliecer Viamontes, manager of FPL's Vegetation Management team, works to improve your reliability through our extensive line clearing program.

Question:
Your Systems Improvements Map implies that trees were cleared from my area, but I’m still seeing trees near the lines. Why is that?
-- Marc W., Margate

Answer:
We’re glad you’re using the Systems Improvements Map, Marc. You raise a good question, because the wires on our utility poles vary in their purpose and location. Having a better understanding of the lines in your area may help clarify FPL’s line clearing efforts:

Main power lines and neighborhood lines
As you may know, trees growing near power lines are a common cause of flickers and outages. To help ensure reliable electric service, FPL proactively clears vegetation growing near our main power lines every three years and our local neighborhood lines every six years, on average. In your area, we recently trimmed vegetation growing near the main power lines.

Power lines and communication wires
In other situations, lines you see with trees growing near them may not be power lines, but communication wires typically owned by phone and cable companies. These lines are the ones located closest to the ground on utility poles, while FPL power lines are usually positioned higher on the poles. FPL’s line clearing program focuses only on our electric lines.

Stay safe around all overhead lines

For your safety, it is important to stay away from all lines on utility poles, regardless of their purpose or location.

If you see a tree touching, or near, power lines or any wires that you think may be power lines, please contact FPL immediately at 1-800-4OUTAGE (1-800-468-8243) to report it. Never try to trim any vegetation growing near power lines. Hire only specially trained line clearing professionals to do that work.

Yannel Ortiz works in our Customer Care Center, making sure that when you call about a billing question we provide you with accurate information and excellent service.

Question:
I don't know what any of these taxes and fees are on my bill. If you could explain them to me, I would appreciate it.
-  Peter W., Port Orange

Answer:
I'm glad you brought this up. I know a lot of FPL customers wonder about these charges, and we want them to be as clear as possible.

Your electric bill includes a gross receipts tax and may include up to four other different taxes, paid to the state or local governments: a franchise fee, utility/municipal tax, Florida sales tax, and discretionary sales surtax. These taxes vary by area, with amounts not established by FPL. FPL collects these fees and taxes for distribution to the appropriate entities and does not profit from them.

• Gross receipts tax: A tax of about 2.56 percent on a customer's electric bill that is paid to the State of Florida.
• Franchise fee: FPL competes with municipalities and county governments for the right to serve customers. If a local government chooses, it can enter into a contract with FPL that enables the government to charge residents a contractual amount, the franchise fee, in exchange for its agreement not to form an electric utility for the term of the franchise.
• Utility/municipal tax: Tax levied by a municipality or county on a customer's electricity usage.
• Florida sales tax: A 7 percent tax levied by the State of Florida on the purchase of electricity.
• Discretionary sales surtax: A surtax that is charged by many Florida counties.

Your electric bill also includes the following components, all of which are regulated by Florida's Public Service Commission (PSC):

• Fuel charge: The cost of fuel required to provide each kilowatt-hour of electricity. FPL makes no profit on fuel costs, which are reviewed and approved by the PSC and adjusted at least once a year.
• Non-fuel charge: The expense, other than fuel, for making electricity and distributing it; for programs designed to reduce electric demand and consumption; for meeting environmental laws and regulations; and for purchasing electricity from non-FPL owned resources.
• Customer charge: A fixed monthly amount to cover the cost of providing service to your location. This charge includes the cost of the meter, billing and providing customer service. It is applicable whether or not electricity is used.
• Storm charge: Used to repay the bonds and taxes issued during the 2004 and 2005 hurricane restoration efforts and partially replenish a fund for future storms.

Kathy Schmitt is a member of FPL's Business Program Management team, overseeing the Business Lighting and Building Envelope programs.

Question:
I have heard of paint additives that reflect heat and/or hold in the cold. Do they work?
- Matthew B., Sarasota

Answer:
When choosing an insulation, the higher solar reflectance (SR) level, the better. While painted surfaces can reflect some heat from direct sunlight, we believe that paints are simply too thin to provide a meaningful level of insulation. A 2007 national laboratory study estimated that a 25 percent increase in the SR value of exterior wall paint would only reduce cooling and heating costs by 1 to 6 percent. That being said, we believe a reflective roof coating is a more viable solution as it has a higher solar reflectance, resulting in a savings of up to 15 to 20 percent.

However, you bring up a good point. All businesses should think about insulation. With more efficient roofs, ceilings and windows you can reduce your air-conditioning costs and create a more comfortable environment for employees and patrons, all while preserving your business equipment and surroundings.

For example, if you install roof or ceiling insulation, you can expect a 5-10 percent reduction in air-conditioning costs every year. You can also reduce cooling costs by as much as 15 percent when you install a light-colored metal roof, a rubber-like (thermoplastic) reflective membrane or coating on your existing roof.

A 33,000-square foot self-storage facility in Pompano Beach is a great example of how insulation upgrades can yield energy savings. This business increased the roof's R-value from virtually nothing to R-19 for 25,535 square feet of the facility's air-conditioned space and painted a reflective roof coating over the spray polyurethane foam roof system. The result was a drop in energy use of about 6,000 kWh in the first month, or nearly 20 percent of the monthly energy consumption. They also received an FPL incentive of $1,276 (5 cents per square foot) for increasing the roof's R-value and an additional $11,490 (45 cents per square foot) for the reflective roof coating.

Learn more about insulation and how you can receive an incentive for your upgrades through FPL's Building Envelope program.

Energy Answers for your Business is designed especially for businesses like yours. Submit your question on any energy-related topic.

Kathy Schmitt is a member of FPL's Business Program Management team, overseeing the Business Lighting and Building Envelope programs.

Question:
I'm planning to change out lighting at my facility. Can you compare various technologies, specifically 42 watt CFLs to 70 watt HP Sodium wall packs?
- John B., New Smyrna Beach

Answer:
Choosing the best lighting for your facility can often be a challenge. Color quality, cost and life of the lamp are among many of the factors that you should consider when choosing a lighting technology that's right for your business.

In the chart below, we compare a 70-watt high pressure sodium (HPS) wall pack to a 42-watt compact fluorescent lamp (CFL). We've also included a 70-watt ceramic metal halide and 57-watt CFL in our calculations; however we'll be focusing on the first two options for this response.

A 42-watt CFL will provide less light output but better color quality. The life of the lamp is significantly less, requiring it to be replaced twice as often as a 70-watt HPS. We recommend that you check the foot candle rating requirements (the necessary intensity of light falling on an object) for your fixture location to check if the 42-watt CFL can deliver the necessary lumens.

The 42-watt CFL would result in an annual savings of approximately $15 for each fixture over the 70-watt HPS, assuming a usage of 12 hours per night at 10 cents/kWh.

Learn how FPL incentives can help you pay for your new lighting.