It might not surprise you to learn that one of the largest operational expenses for most businesses is energy use. The power used to heat, cool, and light an office of any size can be a significant cost, particularly when it comes to powering the various technology pieces in use. While switching to LED lighting and going paperless can help reduce costs, focusing on the energy used by technology can help impact a company’s carbon footprint. One way to reduce energy usage is through virtualization.
Using Virtualization to Reduce Energy Use
We’ve talked about virtualization in this space before, particularly as it relates to business continuity. Warding off disaster or maintaining business activities in the wake of disruption are important considerations when discussing business continuity, but there are also other benefits to virtualization, including:
- Fewer machines
- Easier maintenance
- Better security
- Improved scalability
- Reduced downtime
- Reduced energy costs
That last item on the list might seem like a feel-good cherry on top, but reducing your energy costs can produce significant savings for your operational budget. Virtualization reduces the number of physical servers, which in turn reduces electrical consumption. Not only do you save in the actual operation of in-house equipment, you also reduce the load on your HVAC system for keeping your server room at optimal temperatures.
You save on equipment, maintenance, and power costs – all important parts of your budget.
Energy Company Incentives
If the idea of lowering operating costs through virtualization is attractive to you, here’s a little something to sweeten the deal: energy companies all over the country offer incentives for reducing your energy consumption.
It might seem strange to consider that utility companies want their customers to use less energy. After all, they are in the business of selling energy, and selling less would seem to affect their profitability. However, utility companies are heavily regulated and must, by law, assist their customers in finding ways to save power. Reduced demand for power also aids in increasing electric grid resilience, making it better able to handle service interruptions and times of higher demand. Additionally, by reducing demand for energy, utilities can defer or avoid building new power plants and substations.
Incentives are available for both residential and commercial customers – all you have to do is a little research to find out what’s available to you. A comprehensive list of these kinds of programs, both residential and commercial, can be found in the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE).
If you’re interested in exploring virtualization as a means of operating more efficiently, contact us here at Lieberman Technologies. We can assess your IT environment and make recommendations for a more efficient use of technology. Lower your company’s energy consumption, reduce your carbon footprint, and improve business security through virtualization!