Energy efficiency doesn’t always require new equipment or expensive upgrades. In fact, some of the most impactful savings start with the simplest shifts, changes your business can make today without touching your budget. Here are five no-cost habits you can weave into your workplace routines today to lower energy use and boost efficiency.

1. Turn off the lights

Empty rooms don’t have to stay lit. Make it standard practice to switch lights off in any unused spaces. Each kilowatt-hour avoided directly reduces costs, and you’ll also extend bulb life. Posting simple reminders or assigning responsibility helps reinforce the habit.

2. Unplug unused devices

Electronics continue to draw “phantom” power even when switched off. Chargers, monitors and other devices left plugged in add unnecessary load across your workplace. Unplugging at the end of the day — or during long idle periods — cuts wasted consumption that provides no business value. If you have power strips on hand, group devices so a single switch shuts everything off, making it easier to ensure electronics are fully powered down.

3. Adjust thermostats

Heating and cooling account for a major share of energy use. Shifting settings just a degree or two can deliver measurable savings. Also, program thermostats to match actual occupancy instead of running systems at full capacity in empty buildings. Revisit schedules regularly to align with current work patterns.

4. Prioritize natural light

Artificial lighting is a constant draw, but daylight is free. Open blinds and position work areas to capture sunlight, reducing the need for overhead fixtures. Where natural light isn’t sufficient, use task lighting instead of lighting entire rooms. As a bonus, natural light positively influences productivity, health and even job satisfaction.

5. Go paperless

Printers and copiers consume more power than most people realize, and a huge chunk of that effort is wasted, as nearly half of all printed paper ends up in the trash the same day it’s used. Switching to digital workflows reduces the energy load of these devices and avoids the need to maintain equipment running on standby. It also slashes supply costs and minimizes waste.

Small changes add up

These quick, no-cost actions may seem small on their own, but together they create measurable efficiency gains. Building energy awareness into daily routines drives down consumption, avoids waste and creates a leaner, more profitable operation without relying on upgrades or new technology.