Winter = Higher Expenses?
Yes — most likely you will see a jump in business expenses this winter if efficiency upgrades aren’t made, especially in areas tied to energy use, maintenance, and operations.
Here’s a breakdown of what’s happening and why it matters for your business:
🔥 1. Energy and Utility Costs Will Climb
Without efficiency upgrades (like better insulation, modern HVAC, LED lighting, or smart thermostats), your heating costs will rise because:
Systems have to work harder and longer to maintain comfort.
Older equipment uses more fuel or electricity per unit of output.
Natural gas and electricity rates in the Midwest are expected to rise modestly this winter (due to higher demand and fuel prices).
➡️ Estimate: 10–25% increase in heating/energy bills for businesses that don’t upgrade efficiency.
⚙️ 2. Mechanical and Maintenance Costs Will Rise
Inefficient systems experience:
More wear and tear under winter strain.
Higher risk of emergency repairs, which are charged at premium rates.
Increased downtime affects productivity or customer comfort.
➡️ Result: You’ll likely see higher mechanical/maintenance bills (5–20% increase) versus last winter, and potential downtime losses if something breaks unexpectedly.
💡 3. Lost Productivity or Customer Impact
For customer-facing businesses (offices, retail, hospitality, etc.), older or inefficient systems can mean:
Uneven heating/cooling = reduced comfort and employee performance.
Equipment downtime = lost sales or disrupted operations.
Customers may notice — hurting brand experience.
➡️ These are indirect costs that add up, even if you’re not paying them as a bill.
📈 4. Insurance, Compliance, and Tax Factors
Older, inefficient systems can also:
Increase insurance risk (especially if HVAC, electrical, or plumbing systems are out of date).
Miss out on local rebates or tax deductions for energy-efficient improvements (Illinois still offers several for businesses through ComEd and Nicor).
➡️ You may end up paying more in operating costs and missing incentives that could’ve offset upgrades.
💰 5. The “Cost of Doing Nothing” Adds Up
If you skip efficiency upgrades:
Short term: You save on upfront costs.
Medium term: You pay more in utilities, maintenance, and emergency service.
Long term: You pay more to replace overstrained equipment earlier than expected.
➡️ On average, businesses that delay upgrades for even 1–2 years see total operating costs rise 15–30%, compared to those that make planned efficiency improvements.
✅ What You Can Do
If you want to avoid that winter cost jump, here are some quick wins:
Call RPM Mechanical!
Key SourcesAmeren Illinois – Business Energy Efficiency Incentives Offers financial incentives for businesses to upgrade equipment (LED lighting, HVAC controls, VFDs, weatherization, etc.). AMIL EE Sandbox+1 Example: “Lighting, Heating, Cooling & Ventilation … financial incentives are available for: HVAC equipment and controls; Demand-controlled ventilation; Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs); …” AMIL EE SandboxCommonwealth Edison (ComEd) – Energy Efficiency Program for Businesses Described in the DSIRE database: “The ComEd Standard Offering is a comprehensive energy efficiency program designed to help businesses reduce energy consumption and save money.” DSIRE+2Verde+2 Also includes details of small business and standard program offerings covering lighting, HVAC, etc. VerdeNicor Gas – Commercial Rebates for Efficiency Upgrades Offers rebates for space & water heating, boilers, steam traps, efficiency improvements, for commercial customers. Nicor GasState & Utility Level Info – Illinois The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency lists “Energy Efficiency Funding for Illinois Residents… Check with your electric or natural gas utility provider for rebate offerings.” Illinois EPA Also, the University of Illinois’ compilation of incentives for commercial buildings includes many of the utility programs in Illinois. EnergySense Resilience Center And the Small Business Multi-Family Loan Program for efficiency improvements: EFS Illinois
