“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” rings true for businesses’ energy efficiency, too.

Connecticut-based Direct Energy, a provider of retail energy services, offers advice to companies on how to save energy costs.

An independent study found that a 20 percent reduction in energy usage by a business can have the same financial impact as a 5 percent increase in sales. With general operating costs rising much faster than the bottom line, some businesses may struggle with managing energy consumption against increased usage during the summer months. Businesses can work to control the expected increase in energy cost and consumption this summer by implementing energy cost-saving solutions.

The old “ounce of prevention” saying also rings true for businesses’ energy equipment. Lighting, heating, ventilation and cooling have the biggest impact on businesses’ energy usage, but also are the easiest avenues to manage energy costs. For example:

. Cleaning dirty refrigeration coils can save up to 25 percent in operation costs and help prevent early compressor failure.

. Raising the thermostat setting during the summer by just one degree can save up to 5 percent on cooling costs.

. Reduce cooling and heating loads during unoccupied hours to potentially save up to 10 to 15 percent on annual costs.