When a report published by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) in 2006 announced that it was working with some of the biggest companies worldwide to cut energy waste, it was the wake-up call the business world needed. This industry-led coalition was to encourage architects to design newer, more energy efficient buildings, as well as ensure construction companies used greener materials and methods.

There are many reasons why the WBCSD has taken such a stance on reducing energy waste in commercial buildings. One statistic in particular makes for depressing reading - in the US alone, commercial and residential buildings account for 1/3 of all energy used, and 2/3 of the country's electricity use. Yet it's not just newer buildings that can make a difference - by taking stock of your current energy efficiency and improving where necessary, you can help cut costs and help reduce waste and stop energy drains at the same time.

Leaving Lights Turned On

One of the biggest culprits when it comes to energy loss is leaving lights turned on when not in use. This is bad enough in a home, but when you take into account the amount of lights in a school or factory, then you can see how this can add up. To give you a better idea, a single 40-watt light bulb uses 0.04kWh. If, for example, the cost of to use this energy is $0.10 per kWh, you'll save $0.04 per bulb per hour. A simple count of the bulbs in your building, and it's easy to see how your business energy costs can soar.

Clogged Vents and Fans

If your building is particularly old, one of the ways that you'll be losing out on your utility bill are probably your vents. Made to circulate air and heat, there's a good chance that these could be clogged - the same goes for older style fans. If you find that your heating or cooling bill is unusually high, there's a good chance this is down to clogged vents or fans. This is because the heat or cool air isn't getting through, meaning you have to use extra energy to raise or lower the temperature in affected rooms. This can save up to $50 per year for each vent or fan.

Poor HVAC Systems

Heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems (HVAC) account for at least 40% of all the energy costs in the US alone. Although a properly working one can offer you quite a bit in utility savings, a poorly installed HVAC or one that hasn't been maintained can cost you more than it saves. For example, if the filter isn't working properly, you can be wasting as much as $29 per year - and that's per filter, not per unit. Make sure your HVAC system is up-to-date.

Pipe Insulation

In any commercial building, there is a framework of pipes that feed water, and often heat, to the different parts of the building. However, these are running through empty walls and shells, and any heat coming through the pipe is immediately lost to this space. Considering the average hot water bill in a small business with well-insulated pipes is around $3,000 per year, it's easy to work out how much extra poor insulation can be costing your business.