Reduce energy use in operations

- Reducing energy costs can improve your bottom line, especially as prices fluctuate on natural gas, electricity, oil, water, and other energy resources. Whether through simple changes or large scale investments, every business operation could do something to save energy. Cutting back on energy not only impacts your bottom line, but can be of positive value when communicating about your brand to stake holders like customers, employees, investors, and regulators. For many businesses, the best way to begin saving energy is to contact your local utility and ask if they provide energy assessments. Many energy providers provide free or low cost evaluations for businesses that lead to cost-saving energy reductions. If your utility doesn't offer this service, there are reputable energy assessment professionals accessible through a local internet search. Either way, the assessment process involves an onsite visit to your business and an evaluation of your energy needs, usage, and ways you can begin saving. You can also start the process yourself by accessing energy saving tools that are available online. These online tools, such as the US Department of Energy's energy calculator, allow you to plug in information about your business and get specific suggestions for saving energy. These tools often provide an estimate of the upfront cost of implementing energy improving changes and how much money those changes could save you over time. Here are several energy saving actions you can take right now and over time to save money and improve your day to day operations. Replace all of your light bulbs with energy efficient fluorescent lamps, CFL's, or LED's. Install motion detectors that automatically shut off lights in lesser used areas of your business. Otherwise, turn off lights when you don't need them and place reminders about switches for a low cost alternative. Install sky lights and make better use of natural daylight from existing windows. Besides saving on lighting costs, providing natural light into employee work places has been proven to improve productivity and employee morale. Install a programmable thermostat. When it's time to replace old office equipment, specify energy star rated equipment. Even better, ask your self if that equipment is needed after all. Install water efficient appliances. The transportation and distribution of water is a major source of energy costs and carbon emissions. Buy a laptop next time you need a computer upgrade. They consume far less energy than a desktop. If you make deliveries or use vehicles frequently, combine trips to save on gas and use a GPS system and free services like Ways to find the shortest routes and avoid traffic congestion. Educate your employees about energy saving policies you'd like to implement in your business. Hold a meeting to discuss your expectations for reducing energy and waste, provide all employees with guidelines on how to help implement office energy policies, and invite employee ideas on how to further cut energy costs. You'll find most employees are more than happy to help. If you plan to expand a major new space or construct a new building, put energy conservation on your list of priorities. While these green technologies can be more expensive up front, new advancements in technology and increased demand have lowered cost significantly. In the past, it may have taken quite awhile to recoup your investment, today payback is much faster. There are also several financing options that may be available to help you purchase energy efficient equipment and improve energy use in your facilities. The small business administration has several loan programs and there are other federal, state, local, and regional programs that offer assistance around energy efficiency. Saving energy in your business can significantly reduce your operating costs and your impact on the environment. By understanding your energy use and taking steps to become more energy efficient, you cut carbon emissions, reduce costs, and enhance your image. The more energy you save in your business, the more profitable you can be.