It's no secret that improving energy efficiency in offices and facilities is a no-brainer in a company's sustainability strategy. While it's easy to set a goal; it's harder to figure out how to achieve it.

Here are some tips, courtesy of Greenbiz.com, on how to improve your energy efficiency:

1. Determine how much energy you really do need, and decide where energy waste is occurring in your facility. Create a baseline of energy use, and see if there is any low-hanging fruit that could result in easy energy savings.
2. Retro-commission your building. The commissioning process can be applied to existing buildings that have never been commissioned to restore them to optimal performance. Retro-commissioning is a systematic, documented process that identifies low-cost operational and maintenance improvements in existing buildings and brings the buildings up to the design intentions of its current usage.
3. Find and fill the gaps that releasing energy out of your building.You can make this process easy by scheduling an energy audit.
4. Research energy efficiency financing programs in your community.
5. Take advantage of free energy--the sun.. Clear up windowsills and light the sunshine in.
6. Get tech-savvy. Controls for heating, air conditioning, and lighting are highly advanced these days. Install occupancy sensor light switches and heating sensors.
7. Retrofit windows. You can apply tint films on windows to prevent heat rejection, replace single glazing with insulated panels. It's less expensive than installing new windows, but achieves similar cost savings. Enact an employee engagement program. Get your employees to change their behaviors to improve energy efficiency through a green team and education.