5 common mistakes that are driving up your energy consumption and how to fix them

Galanés
February 26, 2025

Energy efficiency is a key challenge for hotels, offices, schools and large buildings. High energy bill costs, inefficient use of resources and operational overload can affect your profitability and limit your investment in other strategic areas. However, most of these problems stem from common mistakes that are driving up your energy consumption that, with the right technology, can be easily corrected.

In this blog, we will analyze the main failures in energy consumption and explore how automation and intelligent control can make a difference.

1. Unnecessary lighting in unoccupied spaces

One of the common mistakes that are driving up your energy consumption is keeping lights on in empty spaces. This happens frequently in offices and schools, where students or staff can easily forget to turn off the lights.

This bad practice not only increases energy consumption, but also shortens the useful life of lighting equipment and increases maintenance costs. In addition to the environmental impact generated, since the excessive use of artificial lighting increases the carbon footprint of the facilities.

2. Uncontrolled air conditioning

In commercial buildings in hot cities such as those on Colombia's Caribbean coast, air conditioning accounts for an average of 45% of total electricity consumption. This makes it a key factor in energy expenditure and, when not properly managed, can drive up operating costs.

One of the frequent mistakes is to leave air conditioners on in empty areas. Additionally, we are unaware that when we regulate or maintain an ideal temperature, we will not only achieve a comfortable and healthy environment, but we will also achieve a significant impact on energy consumption. It is therefore important to implement systems that optimize the use of air conditioning systems.

3. Electronic equipment in standby mode

Leaving electronic equipment such as computers, printers and other devices in standby mode is a common practice that contributes to unnecessary energy consumption. Although these devices appear to be off, they continue to consume power, which translates into additional costs over time.

This “phantom” consumption can represent a significant portion of the total energy bill. Raising staff awareness of the importance of turning off equipment completely and using power strips with circuit breakers to shut off power can help reduce this type of consumption.

4. Lack of monitoring and analysis

Many hotels, schools and organizations do not know how, where and at what times most of their energy consumption is generated. The lack of accurate data prevents them from detecting inefficient usage patterns and correcting problems before they impact billing.

In addition, without clear measurements, it is difficult to make strategic decisions to improve operational efficiency. Also, problems such as faulty equipment or systems that consume more than expected can go unnoticed, generating unnecessary costs that could be avoided with constant monitoring.

5. Inadequate maintenance of electrical systems

Poor maintenance of electrical systems and equipment is another factor that increases energy consumption without many companies realizing it. Loose connections, old electrical systems and deteriorated equipment consume more electricity than is necessary to function properly.

In many commercial buildings, HVAC systems, lighting and electronic equipment work less efficiently due to a lack of regular checks and adjustments. As a result, the infrastructure consumes more energy to perform its normal functions, leading to an unnecessary increase in operating costs.

In addition, poor maintenance can lead to unexpected failures, which not only increases repair costs, but can also affect business operations and generate service interruptions.

Horus: a smart solution to optimize energy consumption

Each sector has different energy needs, but all organizations share the same challenge: to reduce operating costs without affecting their performance. At Horus, we tailor our solutions for educational institutions, hotels, offices and large buildings, helping them to optimize their energy consumption through automation technology.

Savings in energy consumption

Horus occupancy sensors detect in real time the presence of people in a space and automatically adjust lighting and climate control. Thus, the devices only operate when it is really necessary, eliminating energy waste in unoccupied rooms or areas.

Optimize the energy consumption not only reduces electricity bills, but also improves operational profitability. With lower energy costs, companies can redirect resources to other strategic areas, improve their competitiveness and operate more sustainably.

An example of this is the Colegio San José de Barranquilla, which implemented the solutions of Horus to automate energy management in its classrooms. As a result, its annual consumption was reduced by 12%, from 1.505.999 kWh to 1.325.831 kWh, which represented a savings of $108 million in its operating costs.

Real-time monitoring

The Horus platform provides real-time data on energy consumption, allowing administrators to identify inefficient usage patterns and make informed decisions to optimize consumption. This visibility facilitates the implementation of savings strategies and early detection of potential problems.

Simple installation and wireless management

Our wireless technology allows automation systems to be implemented without affecting the existing infrastructure. This facilitates installation without major modifications or disruptions to daily operations.

It is also important to highlight the role of energy meters, since these devices allow us to know consumption in real time and thus identify opportunities for improvement before receiving the electricity bill. Thanks to the precise information they provide, it is possible to adjust usage habits, establish more appropriate schedules and even select more efficient technologies in order to reduce costs and promote more sustainable operations.

Make your operation more efficient and sustainable

Reducing energy consumption not only optimizes your budget, but also has a positive impact on the environment. By reducing unnecessary electricity use, you reduce greenhouse gas emissions and your organization's carbon footprint, contributing to sustainability.

Implementing energy efficiency solutions also strengthens your company's commitment to responsible practices, aligning with environmental regulations and global trends. In addition, optimizing consumption allows you to make better use of resources without compromising operations or the experience of customers or employees.

Ready to start saving?

Contact us and find out how Horus can help you eliminate the common mistakes that are driving up your energy consumption and make your operation more sustainable.