Business owners don’t have to build a giant windmill outside of their offices to participate in the green revolution. Little steps can make a big difference. For example, if every person replaced a regular light bulb with a compact fluorescent light bulb this week, collectively more than $3 billion in electricity bills would be saved and 50 billion fewer tons of coal would be used.
During the last 10 years, some of the country’s top companies have enacted green initiatives. Scores of Fortune 500 companies saved billions of dollars with creative methods for reducing their carbon footprints. The common thread in each company was turning good ideas into action, with steps as simple as remembering to turn off the lights or as complex as engineering a green roof to combat a building’s heat island effect. The important thing to remember is that all employers, regardless of size, can take action.
Set Up an Energy Audit First, business owners should call their local electric utility company and request an energy audit. Most electric utility companies offer energy auditing services in which a trained professional systematically evaluates the company’s energy usage and offers suggestions on how to cut costs and increase efficiency. Among the areas evaluated are lighting, HVAC, refrigeration, water and motor systems.
Additionally, be on the lookout for incentives the utility company might provide to make hiring an energy auditor more attractive. Some utility companies offer a rebate on audit costs for companies that implement one of the auditor’s recommendations. Contractors purchasing energy-efficient equipment also may qualify for additional rebates under the local utility company’s incentives.
Utilize Free Government Resources
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides numerous free resources for companies trying to reduce their environmental impact. The EPA’s EnergyStar program, for example, helps entities meet their green goals. Visit www.energystar.gov for step-by-step instructions on assessing corporate energy management. The website also offers a checklist for green building designs, tips for reducing energy consumption and extensive training materials.
In addition, business owners should pay attention to products with an EnergyStar logo when making a purchasing decision. This logo indicates the product:
- reduces energy use by 10 percent to 75 percent without compromising quality;
- produces fewer greenhouse gas emissions, reducing fossil fuel consumption;
- yields a significant return on investment; and
- has an extended product life requiring less maintenance.
EnergyStar certifies windows, roofing products, commercial HVAC systems, vending machines, computers, fax machines, copiers, printers, refrigerators, and many other common business purchases.
Avoid Wasting Electricity
One of the easiest ways a contractor can decrease energy consumption is by eliminating wasteful electricity use. When buying products such as appliances or office equipment, ensure they have power-saving features. Use power strips to control equipment that is plugged in, but not being used. Replace incandescent light bulbs with fluorescent bulbs. Install motion sensors and timers on lights.
Also, consider purchasing electricity from energy companies that use renewable sources such as wind, solar or biomass. (Visit www.epa.gov/greenbuilding for a listing of participating energy companies.)