Keeping your team comfortable shouldn't break the budget
HVAC running all day. Lights on from 8 to 6. Computers, servers, coffee makers—office electricity adds up. We find rates that fit your 9-to-5 reality.
Why office electricity is more than just lights
Modern offices are climate-controlled environments full of electronics. HVAC systems work constantly to keep employees comfortable, while computers, servers, and equipment create a steady base load throughout the day.
The challenge? Office hours align almost perfectly with peak electricity pricing. When everyone arrives at 8am, HVAC and lighting peak demand hits right when grid prices are highest. You're paying premium rates during your busiest hours.
We understand office load profiles—predictable patterns, morning startup spikes, weekend drops—and find rates that match how your building operates, not how the utility thinks you should.
Where your electricity dollars go
HVAC
40-50%Heating, cooling, and ventilation for employee comfort. This is your biggest cost driver and the most responsive to building automation and demand management strategies.
Lighting
25-35%Office lighting, common areas, parking structures, and exterior lighting. LED retrofits and occupancy sensors can cut this significantly without affecting work quality.
Office Equipment
15-25%Computers, monitors, printers, copiers, break room appliances, and telecommunications equipment. Server rooms and data closets can significantly increase this percentage.
Elevators & Other
5-15%Elevators, security systems, fire safety equipment, and common area loads. Usually a smaller percentage but consistent throughout operating hours.
How we reduce your electricity costs
- Analyze your load profile
We look at when your building uses power—morning ramp-up, afternoon peaks, weekend drops—to find rates that fit your actual patterns.
- Shop multiple suppliers
We get competing quotes tailored to office load profiles. Office buildings are attractive customers for suppliers—predictable, consistent, and easy to serve.
- Reduce morning demand spikes
Simple strategies—staggered floor startup, pre-cooling, programmed HVAC—can reduce demand charges by 15-20% without affecting occupant comfort.
- Multi-tenant solutions
For property managers, we structure master meter agreements, tenant allocation methods, and pass-through clauses that work for everyone.
Office types we serve
Get a Custom Quote
Free consultation, no obligation. We'll analyze your usage and find savings opportunities.
Office electricity questions
How much can offices typically save on electricity?
Office buildings typically see 12-22% savings on supply charges by switching from utility default rates. For an office spending $3,000/month on electricity, that's $360-660 in monthly savings. Buildings with data centers or server rooms often see higher savings potential due to their consistent base loads.
What uses the most electricity in an office building?
HVAC systems account for 40-50% of office electricity costs—heating, cooling, and ventilation for employee comfort. Lighting is next at 25-35%, followed by office equipment (computers, printers, servers) at 15-25%. Data-intensive offices may have higher equipment percentages.
Do office buildings have significant demand charges?
Yes, but they're usually more predictable than manufacturing. Morning startup—when HVAC and lighting come on simultaneously—creates the biggest demand spike. Staggering floor-by-floor startup and using building automation can reduce these peaks by 15-25%.
Should we consider time-of-use rates?
Office buildings often align poorly with time-of-use rates because peak usage (9am-5pm) coincides with grid peak pricing. However, buildings with flexibility—like those that can pre-cool overnight—can sometimes benefit. We model your specific situation against available rate structures.
What about multi-tenant buildings?
Multi-tenant buildings can either have individual tenant meters or master metering. Master metering lets you negotiate better rates but requires fair allocation to tenants. We can help structure either approach, including pass-through clauses and sub-metering strategies.
Related resources
Understanding Demand Charges
How morning startup affects office building costs.
Peak Demand Management
Strategies for reducing HVAC startup spikes.
Fixed vs Variable Rates
Which rate structure works best for budget predictability.
Business Energy Solutions
Full overview of our commercial electricity services.