PSO Pro Tip: 5 Ways to Take Control of Your Electric Bill
We’re certain no small business owner likes uncertainty. After all, you’ve got inventory to purchase, payroll to make, plus a host of other expenses your business needs to effectively run.
Variable costs - like your electric bill - often ebb and flow with the seasons. However, we Okies aren’t alone in sweating our energy use. According to ENERGY STAR®, small businesses around the nation spend more than $60 billion annually on energy.
Don’t wait until your bill arrives, we’ve rounded up five steps to help you proactively manage your bill and take control of your monthly expenses.
1.) Get huge rebates on energy efficient upgrades
We have a saying here: “If it uses electricity, PSO probably has a rebate for it.” We’re not kidding. You could write a book with all of the business rebates we offer. Lighting, electronics, appliances, heating, cooling, and ventilation...you name it, we’ve probably got a rebate for it. Not only do these rebates save you money at the time of purchase, but you’ll save over the long haul by lowering your energy use! Our business rebates are available for businesses of all sizes, but small businesses can save even more through our small business rebate program which covers up to 70% of the cost of lighting and refrigeration upgrades when you work with one of our dedicated small business energy consultants!
2.) Practice energy saving habits
Upgrading to energy-saving equipment will make the biggest dent in your electric bill, but to save even more we suggest following energy-smart habits. These are simple things you can do around the office and many of them won’t cost you a penny. Like turning off the lights when you leave the room; unplugging fully charged laptops; powering down electronics that aren’t in use; using the printer less and doing your work digitally. Good habits = big savings.
3.) Sign up for PSO Power Pay
Want a little more certainty? PSO has just the program for you: Power Pay™ lets you manage future electric bills on your terms. Sign up, choose how much you want to pre-fund your account, how often and what method you want to pay, and we'll deduct from your pre-funded account to pay for your usage, which is calculated daily. You can even get customized notifications to see where you stand. It’s a simple process that helps you control your budget better.
4.) Become a Peak Performer
Want to be a super saver? Sign up to become a PSO Peak Performer! When energy use across the grid is high, like during sweltering summer days, you’ll get a notification from us about a Peak Event. If you want to participate, just make easy, energy-saving changes around the office (see tip #2). At the end of the season, PSO will reward you with cash back based on how much you saved. You’ll add a bit more certainty to your bill, and get paid for it too!
5.) Schedule a Free Energy Audit
It never hurts to get some extra advice, so let our experts help make sure your small business is operating efficiently. Schedule a free energy audit and a consultant will come to your small business free of charge and assess your existing lighting or refrigeration equipment. If you decide to make energy-saving upgrades, you’ll work together to create a personalized plan, and select the upgrades that make the most sense for you. Awesome advice from an energy expert can be yours for free!
We can’t predict Oklahoma weather or what the business world will do, but we can always help you save! Follow these five tips and put some certainty into your energy bill!