How to beat the heat this summer: Smart energy-saving tips for your business.
When the temperatures rise, so can your energy bills — but they don’t have to. With a few smart upgrades and efficiency moves, your business can stay cool without overheating your budget. Here are some energy-saving tips to reduce business energy use.
1. Tune up your HVAC system.
Your HVAC system works harder in the summer, which means small issues can turn into big energy drains. Schedule a seasonal inspection to check refrigerant levels, clean coils and replace filters. It’s one of the easiest ways to boost performance and cut unnecessary costs. Or check out our HVAC incentives, which can help you replace aging units while improving comfort and efficiency year-round.
2. Upgrade to smart thermostats.
Smart or programmable thermostats help you avoid cooling empty spaces. Set temperature schedules based on work hours and occupancy zones to ensure you’re only using energy when and where you need it.
3. Switch to energy efficient lighting.
Still using outdated bulbs? LED lighting uses up to 75% less energy and generates less heat than traditional lighting. That means your cooling system doesn’t have to work as hard either — a win-win in the summer months.
Check out our LED lighting incentives to learn more.
4. Take advantage of TVA EnergyRight® incentives.
From high-efficiency HVAC systems to lighting retrofits, TVA EnergyRight offers incentives to help businesses make smart upgrades.
5. Seal air leaks and improve insulation.
Warm air creeping in and cool air leaking out can quietly drive up your summer energy bills. Inspect doors, windows and ductwork for leaks and add weather stripping or insulation where needed. Sealing up your space keeps cool air in, hot air out and your HVAC system from working overtime.
Source: sba.gov
Stay cool and stay ahead.
Getting your business ready for hot weather doesn’t have to be complicated or costly. With these energy-saving tips for businesses, you can reduce energy costs and keep your operations running efficiently all season long.
Not sure where to begin?
Connect with a TVA Energy Expert to get started.
Energy efficiency for business: the overlooked growth strategy you can’t afford to ignore.
When you think about growing your business, energy efficiency probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. But what if it should be?
Whether you’re running a boutique, a print shop, a restaurant or a commercial office space — every dollar counts. Energy efficiency isn’t just about cutting costs. It’s a smart strategy that frees up resources, improves your space and sets your business up for long-term success. Here’s how thinking differently about your energy use could fuel your next big move.
1. Every dollar saved is a dollar to reinvest.
Let’s start with the obvious: trimming energy waste cuts costs. But the real opportunity is what you can do with those savings.
Lower utility bills mean more budget flexibility to reinvest in things that drive growth, like marketing, staffing, equipment, or expanding your product line. And thanks to TVA EnergyRight®, those upgrades don’t have to wait. With cash incentives for things like LED lighting and HVAC improvements, your payback period gets even shorter.
For example, a retail shop that replaces outdated lighting with LEDs could reduce energy use by up to 75%. Combine that with TVA incentives, and those savings could help cover a new POS system, signage or digital advertising campaign.
Explore TVA lighting and HVAC incentives.
Source: energy.gov
2. Energy efficiency for business builds resilience.
The past few years have shown how quickly things can change—utility costs rise, supply chains strain and margins shrink.
Recent data from the report, “From Insight to Implementation: Business Perspectives on Energy Efficiency Investments,” shows that energy accounts for up to 24% of annual operating costs for many businesses, and the percentage is continuing to climb.
Businesses that run more efficiently are better positioned to weather those storms. Reducing your energy consumption now can help you maintain stability, even when operating costs or external factors become unpredictable. It’s one more way to future-proof your business.
Sources: energyefficiencymovement.com; entrepreneur.com
3. Customers care about sustainability.
Being energy-conscious isn’t just good for your bottom line—it’s good for your brand.
Today’s consumers are paying attention to how businesses operate. Whether you’re serving a socially conscious Gen Z audience or local clients who care about community impact, small shifts in sustainability, like switching to efficient lighting or optimizing HVAC, can set you apart.
You don’t have to be a certified green business to make a difference. Highlighting smart energy moves on your website or signage helps show customers that you’re thoughtful, forward-thinking and part of the solution.
Source: mckinsey.com
4. Comfortable spaces boost productivity.
Lighting and HVAC upgrades don’t just cut energy use—they make your space more enjoyable to work and shop in. Bright, natural-looking LEDs can enhance product displays and reduce eye strain. Efficient HVAC systems create more consistent temperatures and improve air quality. These improvements can boost employee productivity and create an atmosphere that encourages people to stay longer and spend more.
Switching to bright, natural-looking LEDs can significantly improve visibility, reduce eye strain, and create a more inviting environment for both customers and employees. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, LED lighting not only consumes up to 75% less energy than traditional bulbs but also improves visual clarity and color rendering — key for retail settings where product presentation matters.A well-functioning, energy-efficient HVAC system helps maintain consistent temperatures, reduces humidity, and improves indoor air quality. Poor indoor air quality is linked to headaches, fatigue, and reduced cognitive performance, which can impact employee productivity.
Sources: alconlighting.com; ansi.org; energy.gov; hsph.harvard.edu
5. TVA EnergyRight makes it easy.
Investing in comfort isn’t just a feel-good move—it’s a business strategy that pays off. With TVA EnergyRight incentives available for lighting and HVAC upgrades, creating a better environment is easier and more affordable than ever.
The best part? You don’t have to do it alone.
In partnership with your local power company, TVA EnergyRight offers a variety of programs and incentives to help businesses upgrade their lighting, HVAC systems, and overall energy use, often with no pre-approval required, that reduce your upfront costs.Not sure where to start? Talk to a TVA Energy Expert, so you can identify the biggest opportunities to save.
Reach out to your local power company representative or click the link below to connect with a TVA Energy Expert today.
Powering progress: Five key energy management takeaways from the TVA Industrial Summit 2025
The 2025 TVA Industrial Summit brought together hundreds of energy leaders, facility managers, engineers and sustainability professionals from across the seven-state region to explore the power of industrial energy management, incentives and strategic approaches. Here are five key takeaways you don’t want to miss.
1. Incentives are a game-changer for industrial energy management projects.
TVA EnergyRight’s energy incentive programs are helping turn “maybe someday” projects into fully funded energy upgrades. Case in point: Goodyear received over $845,000 in TVA incentives, cutting more than 11 million kWh in energy use. Incentives don’t just reduce upfront capital costs—they also accelerate payback periods, expand project scope and create competitive advantages by enabling facilities to operate more efficiently than their peers.
Pro tip: Not sure where to start? Incentive upgrades that don’t require pre-approval, such as New Construction LED Lighting and HVAC, are one of the easiest ways to begin.
2. Strategic Energy Management (SEM) is the new business advantage.
Energy isn’t just a line item — it’s a resource you can manage. SEM helps businesses build a culture of continuous improvement by integrating energy-saving practices into everyday operations. Facilities that implement SEM see, on average, a 5-15% energy cost savings, along with better asset utilization, reduced downtime and increased employee engagement.
Case study: A Tennessee-based food processor saved nearly $60,000 by reducing refrigeration discharge, upgrading lighting, fixing compressed air leaks and launching a “Shut It Off” campaign.
3. Demand response = revenue opportunity.
Industrial facilities aren’t just reducing costs—they’re earning credits by participating in TVA’s Demand Response programs. With load growth accelerating, programs like PowerFlex reward facilities for curtailing energy use during peak demand.
Facilities with 5 MW of interruptible load could earn up to $568,200 in annual capacity credits and $48,000 in energy credits*. That’s real money back in your budget.
*Using current pricing for E5+C30 enrollment option. These credits reflect enrollment in 96 hours of capacity per TVA fiscal year. All credits listed are estimates for illustrative purposes only. Actual credit values will vary according to enrollment options selected.
4. Energy assessments make it easy to get started.
If you don’t have a dedicated energy team or you’re unsure where your biggest savings lie, TVA offers free energy assessments to help identify lighting, HVAC, refrigeration, compressed air and process improvement opportunities. The best part? TVA’s Preferred Partners Network can handle the work, from installation to incentive applications.
“The TVA incentive program provides us the opportunity to reduce our overall energy costs and identify future opportunities to control consumption.”
-Pat Jodon, Goodyear Plant Manager
5. Partnerships drive long-term success.
Whether you’re working with a TVA EnergyRight Energy Expert or connecting through your local power company, collaboration is at the heart of the industrial energy efficiency transformation. Events like the TVA Industrial Summit give leaders space to share strategies, troubleshoot challenges, and build partnerships that lead to real results.
Facilities that have completed SEM initiatives report millions in kWh savings and hundreds of thousands in energy cost reductions. One [state-based] furniture manufacturer saved over $600,000 by identifying air leaks, installing a capacitor bank, upgrading to LED lighting and replacing CO2 lasers.
Ready to take the next step?
TVA EnergyRight is here to help you unlock savings and performance in your facility. Whether it starts with an energy assessment or a strategic partnership, the resources are ready, and the support is built for you. Reach out to your local power company representative or click the link below to connect with a TVA Energy Expert today.
How to get a free commercial energy audit.
When you’re running a large facility, energy efficiency can fall lower on the priority list — until your energy bill spikes. That’s where TVA EnergyRight® steps in with a no-cost opportunity that can deliver real value: a free, engineer-led energy assessment for industrial and commercial customers.
If your business has an electric demand of 1 MW or more (or your power bill hits around $25,000 or more per month), you’re likely eligible. Here’s how it works — and how it can help you uncover energy-saving upgrades, reduce operating costs and make your facility more productive.
1. It’s free and customized for your facility.
This isn’t a generic audit. One of our TVA energy experts will assess your specific operations, looking for inefficiencies, outdated equipment and opportunities to boost productivity through energy improvements.
You’ll walk away with energy efficiency tips that include:
- Recommendations tailored to your facility.
- Estimated savings.
- A custom list of potential upgrades.
Request a free energy assessment today.
2. You’ll get connected with vetted contractors.
We connect you directly with professionals in our Preferred Partners Network (PPN) to bring your project to life. These contractors are already trained in our incentive process and energy efficiency standards, helping streamline your upgrade process from assessment to installation. If you already have a contractor on board, we’re flexible. We can also work with your contractor.
3. You may qualify for incentives to help pay for upgrades.
Here’s where things really pay off: Many of the upgrades TVA recommends come with incentives, often worth up to $3 million annually per company.
These may include:
- Up to $0.15 per kWh saved for qualifying custom energy-saving projects.
- $80 to $250 per ton for high-efficiency HVAC upgrades.
- $0.13 per kWh saved for lighting retrofits or $0.10 per kWh for new builds.
Check out our current incentives and explore your possibilities.
4. You’ll identify new ways to hit sustainability goals.
Whether you’re working toward ESG targets or just trying to cut operational waste, the energy assessment provides data and direction. Many participants use the recommendations as a launchpad for achieving long-term sustainability outcomes.
5. It’s fast, easy and built for busy teams.
You don’t need to prep a bunch of documentation or shut down production to get free energy efficiency tips. TVA’s assessment process is designed to be low-disruption, with a clear next-step path once the evaluation is complete.
Ready to start? Here’s how.
Getting your free commercial energy audit is simple. Even if you’re not sure of your exact demand, TVA can help you figure it out. It could be your first step toward major cost savings—and a smarter, more efficient operation.