• Home
  • Energy
  • Sustainability
  • Climate Change
    • Eco Editorial
  • Environment
    • Environmental Issues
      • Environmental Pollution
      • Global Warming
      • Population Explosion
      • Renewable Energy
      • Species Extinction
      • Sustainable Management of Resources
    • Animals
    • Pollution
    • Environmental Policy
  • Green Technology
    • Green Tips
  • Contact Us
  • Home
  • Energy
  • Sustainability
  • Climate Change
    • Eco Editorial
  • Environment
    • Environmental Issues
      • Environmental Pollution
      • Global Warming
      • Population Explosion
      • Renewable Energy
      • Species Extinction
      • Sustainable Management of Resources
    • Animals
    • Pollution
    • Environmental Policy
  • Green Technology
    • Green Tips
  • Contact Us
Sustainability Best Practices for Businesses
January 23, 2019

Energy costs are input into a business onthe cost side, dragging on profitability, efficiency, and opportunities forexpansion.  We are in a fortunateenvironment with lots of ways to reduce energy usage in business, withtransformative methods on the horizon. However, without looking too far out – there are lots of sustainabilityinitiatives that are cash flow positive within just a few years. When it comesto being sustainable, quick changes are within reach to improve your business’sbottom line.

energy_savings

LED Lighting
LED lighting is the first step – those conversions typically have a 1-2 year return on investment (lower if there are utility incentives available). If you look up and see T12 fluorescents still in use, it’s best to get those swapped out to LEDs to see immediate savings. Look beyond your indoor lighting as parking lots can be home to inefficient metal halides. Daylight control sensors can add a bit of upfront cost to these upgrades, but they pay dividends down the road with lower usage and lower replacement costs (a light not used is a light not replaced). 

Smart Thermostats

Smart thermostats are a must – both for reducing heating and cooling costs, They also give a business owner a lot of control over their facility, an added benefit. With a programable schedule, a smart thermostat can sense building usage patterns and adapt to your operational needs. When it comes to managing multiple properties, having the ability to compare energy use and set schedules is also handy, using included software viewable offsite through your phone or your computer. When it comes to your roof top units, HVAC upgrades are not a low ROI when replacing good working units but purchasing high efficiency at your next scheduled replacement is a must.  Again, when combined with utility incentives, this can be very cost effective. 

Economizers on HVAC Units

Economizers on HVAC units are great options for businesses with high occupancy or commercial cooking equipment, as they bring in fresh air to offset cooling demands on equipment (saving lifetime on units and energy). Many of these changes not only reduce your business’s energy consumption but have the added benefit of improving working conditions for employees and comfort levels for customers.

Recycling& Composting

Recycling and composting are a must for a modern office, and while not always cost-effective, they’re an important part of engaging younger workers. While composting doesn’t always seem attractive in an office or work setting, it’s mandated in some cities around the country and in doing so, reduces garbage that would otherwise end up in a landfill by a third. When done correctly, or by utilizing a composting service, you will not even notice a compost bin added to your employee break room or kitchen.

Employee transportation

Both large and small businesses should consider how their employees commute to work every day, and the distance to which they travel. Reducing vehicle congestion is one way to help make a city more sustainable, but also offering this as a benefit boosts employee health and moral. Offering employees a transportation benefit can also be at no cost to the company, and can be a payroll tax deduction. Making options for public transit and walking or biking to work is also essential and are often no cost to the business.

Solar Power

Finally, Solar Power on our businessroofs is on the horizon – your timeline for payback is the only limitingfactor.  Most businesses that own theirbuilding and have a good roof can finance a solar array over 20 years, creatinga cash flow positive situation.  Inaddition, there are so many tax benefits to a business for upgrading to solarin 2019, that you can actually create a cash infusion with the tax saving alongwith lowering your monthly energy costs. You might see a commontheme among a majority of the sustainable investments – they lead to bothenergy savings and a reduced maintenance burden on the business.  These are attitudes in leadership that builda healthy and sustainable business.  Ioften think about businesses that do not invest in trends in sustainability.There are hundreds and thousands of examples of businesses that do not investin the current trends and are still around today.  However, as a generalization, those that donot invest in current sustainability trends also do not invest in theirbusiness overall, and likely won’t be around tomorrow.

Article Contributed by: 

Jamie founded Verde Energy Efficiency Experts in 2010 with the mission to find and implement energy efficiency savings for customers in unexpected places within their business. Verde continues to grow its diverse offerings to businesses in order to provide solutions to lower operating costs and improve their triple bottom line.

Share

Energy

Jamie

Leave a reply


Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

  • Recent Posts

    • The Environmental Impact Of Biomedical Waste And How To Reduce It
    • What Are the Most Eco-Friendly Types of Water Filters?
    • The Top 7 Eco-Friendly Kitchen Cabinet Picks For 2023
    • How To Sustain A Carbon-Neutral Lifestyle
    • Sustainable Fishing Methods to Fish More Responsibly
  • Categories

    • Animals
    • Climate Change
    • Eco Editorial
    • Energy
    • Environment
    • Environmental Policy
    • Green Food
    • Green Technology
    • Green Tips
    • Green Travel
    • Infographics
    • Other Stories
    • Pollution
    • Recycle
    • Sustainability
    • Toxics
    • Uncategorized
  • Archives

    • March 2023
    • February 2023
    • January 2023
    • December 2022
    • November 2022
    • October 2022
    • September 2022
    • August 2022
    • July 2022
    • June 2022
    • May 2022
    • April 2022
    • March 2022
    • February 2022
    • January 2022
    • December 2021
    • November 2021
    • October 2021
    • September 2021
    • August 2021
    • July 2021
    • June 2021
    • May 2021
    • April 2021
    • March 2021
    • February 2021
    • January 2021
    • December 2020
    • November 2020
    • October 2020
    • September 2020
    • August 2020
    • July 2020
    • June 2020
    • May 2020
    • April 2020
    • March 2020
    • February 2020
    • January 2020
    • December 2019
    • November 2019
    • October 2019
    • September 2019
    • August 2019
    • July 2019
    • June 2019
    • May 2019
    • April 2019
    • March 2019
    • February 2019
    • January 2019
    • December 2018
    • November 2018
    • October 2018
    • September 2018
    • August 2018
    • July 2018
    • June 2018
    • May 2018
    • April 2018
    • March 2018
    • February 2018
    • January 2018
    • December 2017
    • November 2017
    • October 2017
    • September 2017
    • August 2017
    • July 2017
    • June 2017
    • May 2017
    • April 2017
    • March 2017
    • February 2017
    • January 2017
    • December 2016
    • November 2016
    • October 2016
    • September 2016
    • August 2016
    • July 2016
    • June 2016
    • May 2014
    • March 2014
    • February 2014
    • January 2014
    • December 2013
    • November 2013
    • October 2013
    • September 2013
    • August 2013
    • July 2013
    • June 2013
    • May 2011



Home | About | Advertise With Us | Bike The Netherlands | Current Environmental Issues | Eco Editorial | Contact