Putting Energy Into Profits:
ENERGY STAR® Guide for Small Business
LEARN MORE AT
energystar.gov
ENERGY STAR®, a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
program helps us all save money and protect our environment
through energy efficient products and practices. For more
information, visit www.energystar.gov.
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Getting Started 1
Getting Started: Identifying Projects 1
Getting Started: Finding Funds 2
Getting Started: Selecting Contractors 3
Getting Started: Prioritizing Projects 4
Getting Started: Managing Projects 4
Sure Energy Savers 5
Larger Opportunities 8
Larger Opportunities: Building Shell 8
Larger Opportunities: Lighting 11
Larger Opportunities: Commercial Food Service Equipment 18
Larger Opportunities: Heating, Cooling & Ventilating 19
Larger Opportunities: Office Equipment & Appliances 21
Larger Opportunities: Refrigeration 22
Leading Small Business Facility Types 24
Leading Small Business Facility Types: Auto Dealers 24
Leading Small Business Facility Types: Educational Facilities 25
Leading Small Business Facility Types: Food Service/Restaurant 26
Leading Small Business Facility Types: Grocery/Convenience Store 26
Leading Small Business Facility Types: Health Care 27
Leading Small Business Facility Types: Lodging 27
Leading Small Business Facility Types: Office 28
Leading Small Business Facility Types: Retail 28
Calculate Your Savings 29
Calculate Your Savings: Financial Analysis 30
Calculate Your Savings: Saving With ENERGY STAR 31
Calculate Your Savings: Indirect Benefits 31
Green Your Business 32
Green Your Business: Renewable Energy and Green Power 32
Green Your Business: Air Pollution 33
Green Your Business: New Building Design & Construction Projects 34
Green Your Business: Paper 34
Green Your Business: Recycling 35
Green Your Business: Water 36
Green Your Business: Small Business Trends 37
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LEARN MORE AT
ENERGY STAR®, a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
program helps us all save money and protect our environment
through energy efficient products and practices. For more
information, visit www.energystar.gov
GETTING STARTED
Virtually any small business can improve its energy efficiency easily and cost-effectively, using the numerous
resources that are available both from ENERGY STAR, as well as a wide variety of other organizations. These
resources are available to help you through the process of completing an upgrade. This process can be broken
into major activities that are involved in carrying out an energy improvement project.
Major activities
Identifying Projects
Finding Funds
Selecting Contractors
Prioritizing Projects
Managing Projects
GETTING STARTED: IDENTIFYING PROJECTS
As the saying goes, "time is money" and that can be particularly true for small
businesses. However, not taking time (to save energy) can mean big money - lost.
Reduction in daily energy costs and monthly utility bills for the lifetime of your business
can make it well worth the time needed to pursue effective-efficiency upgrades. Here are
some strategies to jump-start your energy savings:
Ask your utility if they offer free or inexpensive energy audits and/or rebates for energy-efficiency upgrades.
A good place to start is the Energy Crossroads Web site (EXIT>) - a consolidated listing, by state, of many
of the utility energy-efficiency programs available for small businesses. Small manufacturers who are
interested in a facility audit may also want to check out the following:
DOE's Industrial Assessment Centers (IAC) (EXIT>)
Department of Commerce's National Institute of Standards and Technology's (MIST) (EXIT>)
Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) (EXIT>)
Invite contractors to your facility to suggest upgrades and provide free estimates.
Contract with an energy professional to coordinate and manage your project.
Leverage your time by drawing on the expertise of ENERGY STAR by visiting its Small Business Web site.
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GETTING STARTED: FINDING FUNDS
Access to capital for an energy-efficiency upgrade need not be an issue. Some
upgrades require little funding. For those that do require investment, don't worry;
there are many traditional and non-traditional financial resources available. A well-
designed upgrade can provide your business a positive cash flow from energy
savings while paying off the capital investment for new equipment.
For small, inexpensive projects, you may want to use your own internal
funds to pay for the upgrade in order to keep your payback period low
and return on investment high. For larger jobs, financing might be the
only way to pay for the upgrade. Fortunately, a variety of sources and
mechanisms exist for small businesses to finance energy-efficiency
improvement projects.
Did You Know?
Energy-efficient upgrades typically save
you money that can be used to pay for the
cost of projects.
It's your business decision to weigh your competing needs for capital versus continuing increases in operating
costs for energy. Remember- even a longer return-on-investment on energy efficiency results in affordable
comfort, and new, more reliable equipment that will pay for itself with energy savings. Strategic energy efficiency
investments are your hedge against the certainty of higher utility bills that you cannot control.
The following resources can help you find funding information and opportunities for your upgrade:
To help you locate special offers and rebates in your area, ENERGY STAR provides an online zip code driven
tool.
The Office of Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) (EXIT>) is affiliated with the U.S. Small Business
Administration (SBA), and has offices in all states offering free services to help small firms develop conventional
loan applications for loans backed by the SBA. SBA loan programs include business start-up, expansion,
property and major equipment purchases, and disaster recovery. For SBA loan information please visit
http://www.sba.qov/financinq/index.html (EXIT>)
ENERGY STAR'S Resources: Finance, Products & Services Web page
ENERGY STAR'S Directory of Energy Efficiency Programs (DEEP)
EPA's Small Business Gateway
ENERGY STAR'S Buildings Upgrade Manual - Financing Section (PDF)
Energy Crossroads (EXIT>)
Small Business Administration's Financing Your Business (EXIT>)
DOE's Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy's Financing Solutions & Incentives (EXIT>)
National Association of State Energy Officials' "State and Territory Energy Offices" Web paqe(EXIT>)
Alliance to Save Energy's Financing Energy Efficiency Web page (EXIT>)
Local Government Commission's Funding Opportunities (EXIT>)
Another aspect of funding energy-efficiency is group purchasing with business association members, other
franchisees, etc. to achieve lower unit prices on efficient equipment with volume purchases. Read more about
this strategy in ENERGY STAR Small Business' Group Purchasing Fact Sheet (PDF)
The Small Business Association of Michigan operates a group purchasing Web site at www.sbam.org
(EXIT>) that is open to all small businesses throughout the United States.
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GETTING STARTED: SELECTING CONTRACTORS
The selection of experienced, competent contractors and other energy professionals is critical to the success of
your energy-efficiency project(s). Here are some guidelines to aid you in choosing a contractor:
> Ask for multiple current references that you can contact about work the contractor performed.
> Ask the contractor to provide a cost-estimate in writing for ,
Did You Know?
Many contractor associations offer valuable information
and advice on selecting a contractor, and a directory of
listings. For example, visit the Air Conditioning Contractors
of America (EXIT >) Web site.
any work they will do.
> Make sure they are licensed and insured contractor.
> The contractor should certify that their work conforms to state
and local regulations and codes.
> Verify that the contractor carries workers' compensation
insurance.
> Make sure the contractor has experience and will use energy-efficient equipment.
Visit ENERGY STAR'S online "Service and Product Provider Directory" and search for contractors and energy
professionals in your area to help you with your upgrade(s).
Check the following sources for additional tips on selecting a contractor:
ENERGY STAR'S 10 Tips for Hiring a Heating and Cooling Contractor
California Energy Commission's How To Hire An Energy Services Company Handbook (PDF) (EXIT>)
California Energy Commission's How To Hire An Energy Auditor To Identify Energy Efficiency Projects
Handbook (PDF) (EXIT>)
State of Oregon Construction Contractors Board Consumer Help (EXIT>)
If you have a home-based business, you may also find the following resources useful:
ENERGY STAR'S Recommendations for Finding a Contractor
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory's Home Energy Saver (EXIT>)
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GETTING STARTED: PRIORITIZING PROJECTS
You may wonder, "Where should I start?" Do I replace one piece of equipment or
system at a time? Or, should I do a comprehensive upgrade of my entire facility? The
answer will vary depending on each individual business' situation. The age of your
current equipment and facility systems, your type of business, your local utility rates,
your hours of operation, and your access to capital are all key factors in what level of
upgrade makes business sense. One place to start is with low-cost and no-cost
changes such as those listed in the Sure Energy Savers section of this guide.
If cash flow is an issue, you may want to wait until a piece of equipment or system fails or is a certain number of
years old before replacing it with an energy-efficient model. However, if you are building a new facility or doing a
major remodel, you should incorporate energy-efficient upgrades into your design due to the lower incremental
cost of "doing it right the first time." For an existing facility, it may come down to what is financially feasible for
your business at a particular time. Ask your contractor if they can assist you in prioritizing your energy-efficiency
projects.
In addition, the following resources may be helpful to you:
ENERGY STAR'S Cash Flow Opportunity (CFO) Calculator
ENERGY STAR'S Building Upgrade Manual's Business Analysis Section (PDF)
Rebuild America's Project Planning Tools (EXIT>)
DOE's Building Technologies Program's Planning and Financing Your Project (EXIT>)
GETTING STARTED: MANAGING PROJECTS
The size and complexity of the energy-efficiency project your business undertakes will most likely be the main
factor in deciding who will manage the project. For something as simple as replacing HVAC filters or replacing
incandescent lamps (light bulbs) with ENERGY STAR compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), you or your staff
could do it yourselves. Depending on the skills on your staff, installing caulking and weather-stripping, ceiling
fans, occupancy sensors for lights, LED exit signs, and programmable thermostats may be "do-it-yourself
projects not requiring outside help.
A more complex project, such as designing and replacing your facility's entire
lighting system, will require the help of someone who has experience managing
that type of project. Here are some resources to assist you in the process of
managing your energy-efficiency projects:
ENERGY STAR'S Create Action Plan
ENERGY STAR'S New Building Design
Rebuild America's Solution Center Services (EXIT>)
California Energy Commission's How to Hire a Construction Manager For Your Energy Efficiency Projects
Handbook (PDF) (EXIT>)
As your business implements energy-efficient projects it is good practice to continuously assess energy
performance to ensure that savings are being achieved. ENERGY STAR offers tools to help you understand
and assess your facility's energy performance.
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SURE ENERGY SAVERS
It's easy to get started improving the energy efficiency of your facility with little expertise or money. There are
many reliable, low-risk, high-return actions that you can do, and are relatively simple! If resources permit,
undertaking a comprehensive energy efficiency program, with the assistance of a professional if needed, would
yield even greater savings. However, while you are considering a comprehensive program at least implement as
many of the actions from the following list that you can to start saving now! Further information on these topics
can be found in the Larger Opportunities section of this guide.
Don't let this discourage you, or delay your taking simpler actions for sure savings. There are many reliable, low-
risk, high-return upgrades that you can implement with limited or no technical support. So, if you don't do
anything else, at least implement as many actions from the following list as you can. More detailed information
on these topics can be found elsewhere in this guide.
Lighting
Turn off lights (and other equipment) when not in use. High utility costs often include
paying for energy that is completely wasted by equipment left "on" for long periods
while not in use.
Replace incandescent light bulbs with ENERGY STAR qualified compact fluorescent
lamps (CFLs), wherever appropriate. CFLs cost about 75% less to operate, and last
about 10 times longer. Their prices are dramatically lower now than when first
introduced.
> Install switch plate occupancy sensors in proper locations to automatically turn lighting off when no one is
present, and back on when people return. Even good equipment can be installed wrong, so don't install the
sensor behind a coat rack, door, bookcase, etc. It must be able to "see" an approaching person's motion to
turn on the light before, or as they enter an unlit area.
> Adjust lighting to your actual needs; use free "daylighting."
> To prevent glare, eyestrain, and headaches, do not "over-light." Too much light can be as bad for visual
quality as too little light - and it costs a lot more.
> Install ENERGY STAR qualified exit signs. These exit signs can dramatically
reduce maintenance by eliminating lamp replacement and can save $10 dollars per
sign annually in electricity costs while preventing greenhouse gas emissions.
> Consider upgrading from older T12 (1.5" diameter) tubes with magnetic ballasts to
more efficient T8 (1" diameter) fluorescent lamp tubes with solid-state electronic
ballasts.
Heating and Air Conditioning
> "Tune-up" your heating, ventilating and air-conditioning (HVAC) system with an
annual maintenance contract. Even better, have your HVAC serviced prior to both
heating and cooling seasons. Even a new ENERGY STAR qualified HVAC system,
like a new car, will decline in performance without regular maintenance. A contract
automatically ensures that your HVAC contractor will provide "pre-season" tune-
ups before each cooling and heating season. You save energy and money, and
your system may last years longer with reasonably priced yearly maintenance
fees. Your chances of an emergency HVAC break-down also become very remote
with regular maintenance.
Regularly change (or clean if reusable) HVAC filters every month during peak cooling or heating season.
New filters usually only cost a few dollars. Dirty filters cost more to use, overwork the equipment, and result
in lower indoor air quality.
Install an ENERGY STAR qualified programmable thermostat to automate your HVAC system. This solid-
state, electronic device optimizes HVAC operation"24/7" based on your schedule, and can be "overridden"
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as needed for unscheduled events. So consumers and staff always enter a comfortable facility, this "smart
thermostat" can turn on the HVAC one hour before arrival instead of heating or cooling unoccupied space.
Control direct sun through windows depending on the season and local climate. During cooling season,
block direct heat gain from the sun shining through glass on the east and especially west sides of the
facility. Depending on your facility, options such as "solar screens," "solar films," awnings, and vegetation
can help. Over time, trees can attractively shade the facility, and help clean the air. Interior curtains or
drapes can help, but it's best to prevent the summer heat from getting past the glass and inside. During
heating season, with the sun low in the South, unobstructed southern windows can contribute solar heat
gain during the day.
Keep exterior doors closed while running your HVAC. It sounds simple but it will help to avoid wasteful loss
of heated or cooled air.
Use fans. Comfort is a function of temperature, humidity, and air movement. Moving air can make a
somewhat higher temperature and/or humidity feel comfortable. Fans can help delay or reduce the need for
air conditioning, and a temperature setting of as much as 3 to 5 degrees higher can feel just as comfortable
with fans, and each degree of higher temperature can save about 3% on cooling costs. When the
temperature outside is more comfortable than inside, a "box fan" in the window, or large "whole facility" fan
in the attic, can push air out of the facility and pull in comfortable outside air. Fans can improve comfort and
save energy year round.
Plug leaks with weather stripping and caulking. This will help prevent the escape of heated or cooled air
from your facility. Caulking and weather stripping also let you manage your ventilation, which is the
deliberate controlled exchange of stuffy inside air for fresher outdoor air. To learn more about indoor air
quality in your facility visit EPA's "Indoor Air Quality" Web page.
Office Equipment
> Always buy ENERGY STAR qualified products for your business. The ENERGY
STAR mark indicates the most efficient computers, printers, copiers, televisions,
windows, thermostats, ceiling fans, and other appliances and equipment.
Water-Hot and Cold
> Fix leaks. Small leaks add up to many gallons of water and dollars wasted each
month. Water conservation saves energy and money, especially when it is hot water.
> Use water-saving faucets, (EXIT>) showerheads, (EXIT>), toilets and urinals (EXIT>)
to save water.
> Install an insulation blanket on water heaters seven years of age or older, and insulate
the first 3 feet of the heated water "out" pipe on both old and new units.
> If buying a new water heater, always buy the most efficient model possible. In areas of infrequent water use,
consider "tankless" water heaters to reduce "standby" storage costs and waste.
> Set water temperature only as hot as needed (110-120 degrees) to prevent scalds and save energy (check
local codes for specific temperatures for your business type).
> When landscaping, practice green landscaping (greenscaping orxeriscaping) to
preserve natural resources and prevent waste and pollution by using plants native
to your climate that require minimal watering and possess better pest resistance.
If local code allows, consider diverting "gray water" (PDF) for irrigation rather than
using fresh water.
Kitchen and Food Service Equipment
> Purchase ENERGY STAR qualified kitchen and commercial food service equipment. For example, qualified
refrigerators and freezers can save over 45% of the energy used by conventional models, which equals as
much as $140 annually for refrigerators and $100 for freezers; deep fryers can save between $60 and $180
per year; hot food holding cabinets can save up to $280 per year; and steam cookers can save between
$450 and $820 per year depending on fuel.
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> For existing refrigerators, clean refrigerator coils twice a year and replace door gaskets if a dollar bill easily
slips out when closed between the door's seals.
> Have large and walk-in refrigeration systems serviced at least annually. This includes cleaning, refrigerant
top off, lubrication of moving parts, and adjustment of belts. This will help ensure efficient operation and
longer equipment life.
> Consider retrofitting existing refrigerators and display cases with anti-sweat door heater controls, and
variable speed evaporator fan motors and controls.
Funding
> Check the various government entities in your area for tax incentives the may apply to energy-efficiency
upgrades you perform in your facility.
> Contact your local utilities to inquire about rebate programs they have that may apply to energy-efficiency
upgrades to your facility.
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LARGER OPPORTUNITIES
LARGER OPPORTUNITIES: BUILDING SHELL
Building shell improvements are one of the first places you should focus on when upgrading your existing
facility. Start with the low cost/ no cost opportunities. Like the lighting system, these factors are key to properly
sizing the heating and cooling system during new construction or major upgrades.
These elements of the building are a major investment that should be purchased on a "life-cycle costing" or
return-on-investment basis, rather than lowest initial cost. Over the life of the building, the operating savings in
energy alone will far outweigh the initial cost of these items. Plus, in the case of new construction, it will be less
costly to "do it right the first time," than to make even more costly upgrades to insulation, windows, walls or
roofing material later.
The sections below will help you learn how to make your facility
more energy efficient through improvements to your building
shell. For additional information that may be applicable to your
small commercial facility please
visit the ENERGY STAR Home Sealing Web page.
> Insulation
Roofing
> Walls
> Windows
> Slabs and Foundations
> Tightening An Existing Building
> Passive Solar Design and Orientation
Insulation
Insulation is a critical component of every facility, helping to keep you
cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Always insulate your new
facility to model building codes, which are discussed in the "New Building
Design" section of this Guide. For retrofits, use these codes as guidelines
to ensure that you get the amount of insulation that will save you energy
and be cost effective.
Project Suggestion
To determine the correct amount of insulation
for your project consult the following:
• Local energy codes and officials
t State energy offices
t Model energy codes such as the
International Energy Conservation Code
and those published by ASHRAE.
DOE's Insulation Fact Sheet (EXIT>)
Flex Your Power's Commercial Product Guide - Insulation (EXIT>)
National Insulation Association (EXIT>)
American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) (EXIT>)
Roofing
Energy-savings opportunities can be achieved by carefully choosing roofing materials and by purchasing
ENERGY STAR qualified roof products when possible. Some areas that should be considered when upgrading
your roof include:
> Insulation: When specifying or replacing a roof, insulation can be placed under the roof.
> Radiant Barriers: In addition to traditional insulation, radiant barriers save energy both in the summer and
winter by re-directing radiant energy in the facility.
> Cool Roofing: These systems lower heat gain for facilities by reflecting the sun's radiant energy, saving
energy on air-conditioning. Consult your roofing and HVAC professionals to learn if cool roofing is an option
for your facility.
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To learn more about energy-efficiency opportunities for roofing visit:
ENERGY STAR'S Qualified Roof Products
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory's Cool Roofing Materials Database (EXIT>)
Walls
Exterior walls (and those connected to unconditioned spaces) should be insulated. When exterior walls are
being constructed or are bare during a renovation, consider a quality building wrap. These materials have a low
cost per square foot of material and can help drastically reduce air and moisture infiltration into the conditioned
space.
To learn more about building wraps visit DOE EERE's Consumer's Guide Combination Air Barriers/Vapor
Diffusion Retarders Web page. (EXIT>)
Windows
A single-paned window has an R-value (measure
of the ability to prevent heat flow) of 1, making it
little more than a hole in the wall. Fortunately, in
recent years, double-paned windows, along with
other energy-efficient features, have become more
standard. Older facilities can likely benefit from
improvements to windows. Improvements you
should consider when upgrading your windows
and frames include:
Multiple nlazinns
Low-E coaling
* Purchase ENERGY STAR qualified windows,
which feature a combination of new
technologies that save you energy and money
> Double or triple-paned glass
> Inert gas (e.g., krypton, argon, or nitrogen) fill
*> Low-emissivity, advertised as Low-E,
glass/film or other advanced coatings/films
> Window tinting appropriate for your region and
facility orientation
> Insulated frames, low-conductivity materials
Many vendors are now promoting the advantages
of window films - ranging from simple tints that
block incoming light, to films that provide
performance similar to Low-E glass, and
advanced coatings that block specific wavelengths
of light.
To learn more about windows visit:
ENERGY STAR'S Qualified Residential Windows, Doors, and Skylights
DOE EERE's Consumer's Guide Windows Web page (EXIT>)
Advanced Buildings Technologies & Practices' Spectrally-selective Glazings (EXIT>)
Advanced Buildings Technologies & Practices' Low-conductivity Window Frames (EXIT>)
Advanced Buildings Technologies & Practices' Inert Gas Window Fills (EXIT>)
Slabs and Foundations
Slabs and foundations are frequently overlooked areas where energy savings can be realized. Just like walls
and roofs, there are insulation opportunities for these areas that will save you money. For new facilities, you
should consider a vapor retarder between the foundation and the slab or earth. Vapor retarders reduce the
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amount of moisture, and other potentially harmful vapors, that can pass through slabs and foundations and add
to discomfort and indoor air-quality issues in your facility.
Learn more about vapor barriers by DOE EERE's Consumer's Guide Combination Air Barriers/Vapor Diffusion
Retarders Web page (EXIT>)
Tightening An Existing Building
There are many low-cost/do-it-yourself actions you can take to help your facility reduce air leakage and costs.
These actions include:
> Filling gaps around doors and window frames with caulk, spray foam, and insulative batting.
> Checking window and door weather stripping. If weather stripping is missing, hard, or cracked, it should be
replaced.
> For exterior doors with a gap underneath, (e.g., if you can see daylight) install door sweeps.
Passive Solar Design and Orientation
The orientation of a facility can affect energy consumption, particularly the energy used for heating and cooling.
For a new facility, consider passive solar design, or the practice of positioning a facility to take advantage of the
sun's natural heating and light energy, and to shade a facility from the sun where desirable.
You can learn more by visiting the Advanced Buildings Technologies & Practices' Passive Solar Heating Web
page. (EXIT>)
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LARGER OPPORTUNITIES: LIGHTING
Lighting is a critical component of every small business. Employees
must be able to see to perform their jobs, and objects and spaces
must be aesthetically pleasing to encourage sales.
Depending on the type of business you operate, lighting accounts for
20% to 50% of electricity consumption. This means that significant
cost savings can be achieved with energy-efficiency improvements,
and due to continually improving equipment, lighting usually provides
the highest return-on-investment of major upgrades.
The Formula for Lighting Energy Efficiency
Did You Know?
Upgraded lighting can save money through reduced
energy use, and result in increased occupant
comfort and sales.
Additional Lighting Links and Information
Technology
Effective
Design
Performance
and Energy
Savings
Lighting Technology
Make the decision early in your project to select energy-efficient
lighting technology. The following pages discuss lighting
technologies, their efficiency, and what might be right for your
facility.
> Incandescent Lighting Technology
> Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs)
> Improved Halogen Systems
> Fluorescent Lighting
> High-Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting Systems
> Exit Signs
> Fixtures
> Lighting controls
> Daylighting
> Future Lighting System Technologies
Incandescent Lighting Technology
Thomas Edison invented the first
commercialized electric lighting technology in
1879, the incandescent lamp. This simple, yet
inefficient, technology has dominated lighting
applications ever since. Incandescent lamps come in two common
type varieties:
Lighting Design
High-quality lighting design includes the coordinated selection of
lighting, fixtures, fixture placement, and room finishes (e.g., high-
reflectivity paint) to result in improved lighting quality. To achieve
the best quality and efficiency from any new lighting system you
install, consult a lighting professional with experience in energy
efficiency.
> Efficient Lighting Technology Selection Design Guide
Did You Know?
An incandescent lamp is a better heater than a
light, with nearly 90% of the input energy being
converted and lost in waste heat rather than light.
Standard Incandescent Lamps: Inefficient lamps used in many applications throughout a facility.
Halogen Lamps: Halogen Lamps are a more advanced incandescent lamp technology commonly used to
highlight merchandise and architectural features due to their white light and "sparkle". To learn more about
incandescent lamps visit:
DOE's Building Technologies Program's Building Toolbox- Incandescent Lamps (EXIT>)
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Where can you find incandescent lamps in your facility?
> Recessed "can" fixtures
> Wall sconces
> Suspended fixtures
> Lamps and task lighting
Accent lighting and "track" lighting
Illuminated exit signs
Exterior lighting
Did You Know?
Compact fluorescent lamps come in a wide variety
of shapes and sizes to accommodate most
applications, even models that resemble
incandescent lamps.
Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs)
CFLs are fluorescent lamps that have been
specifically made in a compact form to replace
incandescent lamps in traditional screw-in
fixtures. These energy-efficient lamps come in a
variety of styles and sizes and are suitable for a
variety of applications. ENERGY STAR qualified
CFLs use 75% less energy than a standard incandescent bulb
and last up to 10 times longer. Replacing a 100-watt incandescent with a 32-watt CFL can save approximately
$30 in energy costs over the life of the bulb.
The long life of CFLs makes them ideal to use in hard-to-reach places due to their reduced
need to be replaced as often. In addition, CFLs are cool to the touch, making them safer than
incandescent and halogen lamps. To learn more about CFLs visit:
ENERGY STAR Qualified Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs
DOE EERE's Consumer's Guide Compact Fluorescent Lamps (EXIT>)
National Lighting Product Information Program's Screwbase Compact Fluorescent Lamp
Products Report (PDF) (EXIT>)
Improved Halogen Systems
Many incandescent lamps can be replaced with halogen lamps for a gain in efficiency and
service life. Many standard halogens (aside from some specialty applications) can be
replaced with high performance "Infrared" (IR) halogen lamps. These lamps work by
increasing the operating temperature of the halogen lamp, increasing efficiency. Though
more efficient than other incandescent and halogen lamps, these lamps are still inferior in
efficiency to fluorescent and HID lighting systems.
Fluorescent Lighting
Fluorescent lighting is the "standard" technology for lighting spaces such as offices and
classrooms, and is up to four times more efficient than the incandescent lamp. However,
older, obsolete fluorescent lighting systems can result in poor light quality and flicker.
Advancements in fluorescent lighting systems have resulted in the introduction of new
systems that provide improved energy efficiency, lighting quality, and design flexibility.
The primary components of standard fluorescent lighting systems are the ballast, which modifies incoming
voltage and controls electrical current, and the lamp (bulb or tube), the source of artificial light.
Traditional Systems:
^~
> T12 Fluorescent Lamps: One of the most common, but least
efficient fluorescent systems. T12 lamps can be identified by
their 1.5-inch diameter.
Did You Know?
Magnetic ballast fluorescent lighting systems are
vintage technology dating back to 1939.
Magnetic Ballasts: Magnetic ballasts are common and still
used extensively today due to their low initial cost. However, these ballasts are considerably less efficient
than new electronic ballast designs and are prone to flicker and humming (particularly as they age).
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Standard fluorescent lamps are commonly used in a variety of places in a facility. Some common applications
include:
Suspended and recessed "troffer" fixtures
Recessed "can" fixtures
Wall sconces
Suspended fixtures
Lamps and task lighting
Accent lighting and "track" lighting
Illuminated exit signs
Exterior and facade
What energy-efficient technologies can replace T12 fluorescent lighting system?
Energy-Efficient Fluorescent Lighting Systems: These systems, using T8 (1" in diameter) and T5 (5/8" in
diameter) lamps, offer improved efficiency, higher intensity, and potentially longer life due to reduced
degradation in light output overtime. T8 and T5 lighting systems are constantly increasing in flexibility and are
now applicable to a variety of task and accent lighting applications, as well as general lighting of larger spaces.
To learn more about T8 and T5 lamps visit:
ENERGY STAR Qualified Products
National Lighting Product Information Program's Lighting Answers: T8 Fluorescent Lamps Fact Sheet (PDF)
(EXIT>)
National Lighting Product Information Program's Lighting Answers: T5 Fluorescent Systems (EXIT>)
Project Suggestion
You may be able to "de-lamp" or remove some of
the lamps in your system and still have acceptable
light levels, especially in concert with a T8 retrofit.
Consult your lighting professional to see if this is an
option for your facility.
Energy-Efficient Electronic Ballasts: When specifying a
fluorescent lighting system, always specify electronic ballasts.
These ballasts provide near flicker-free operation while using up to
30% less energy than magnetic ballasts.
To learn more about electronic ballasts visit:
ENERGY STAR Qualified Products
National Lighting Product Information Program's Electronic
Ballasts Fact Sheet (PDF) (EXIT>)
National Lighting Product Information Program's Guide to Specifying High-Frequency Electronic Ballasts (PDF)
(EXIT>)
High-Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting Systems
Due to their intensity, HID lighting systems are useful for lighting large areas from high
ceilings, and range from 50 to 2,000 watts each. Older HID installations are often mercury
vapor lamps, an extremely inefficient design. Like fluorescent lamps, HID systems have
ballasts, and systems built before 1978 may contain potentially harmful substances such
as PCBs (Polychlorinated biphenyls).
HID lamps are commonly used in the following applications:
> Garages >
> Warehouses >
> Areas with high ceilings
Exterior safety and security lighting
Accent lighting
What HID technologies are most efficient for my facility?
For high-ceiling and exterior applications, specify metal halide or high-
pressure sodium vapor lamps. In areas you wish to highlight, or accent
particular merchandise, use small metal halide spotlights. To learn
about HID lighting systems:
Advanced Buildings Technologies & Practices' HID Electronic Ballasts & Lamps (EXIT>)
Project Suggestion
Consult your lighting professional about
specifying more energy efficient T5 lighting
systems instead of HID lighting systems.
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National Lighting Product Information Program's Lighting Answers: Mid-Wattage Metal Halide Lamps (EXIT>)
National Lighting Product Information System's HID Accent Lighting Systems Report (PDF) (EXIT>)
In some cases, you may be able to reduce the wattage of your already installed HID lamps by purchasing and
installing specially designed reduced wattage metal halide lamps. For example, a special 360-watt metal halide
can replace a 400-watt metal halide. Consult your lighting professional for more information.
Exit Signs
Did You Know?
ENERGY STAR qualified exit signs use 3 to 8
times less energy than incandescent and
fluorescent illuminated exit signs, and reduce
maintenance. LED exit signs are also easier to see
through smoke and in other emergency situations.
Exit signs are an excellent, low-cost, low-labor
opportunity to increase the energy efficiency
and safety of your facility. Replacing
incandescent exit signs that operate at about
40 watts per sign, or fluorescent exit signs that
operate between 12 and 20 watts per sign,
with an ENERGY STAR qualified exit sign can
increase the energy efficiency of your exit signs by 3 to 8 times!
Many ENERGY STAR qualified exit signs are based on light-emitting diode (LED) technology, while others are
based on photoluminescent and electroluminescent technology. You may also be able to retrofit your exit sign
with LED technology while retaining the housing. To learn more about ENERGY STAR qualified and other
energy-efficient exit sign technologies please visit:
ENERGY STAR Qualified Exit Signs
ENERGY STAR Small Business's LED Exit Sign Fact Sheet (PDF)
National Lighting Product Information Program's Exit Signs Report (PDF) (EXIT>)
Fixtures
Specifying an energy-efficient lighting technology, such as T8 orT5 fluorescent lamps and
electronic ballasts, is a critical step to improving the energy efficiency of your facility and
saving money. However, lighting is a system and depends on the quality of the fixture (the
apparatus that contain the lamp), combined with the lamp, ballast and placement (the
position of fixtures in a room, which affects the amount of usable light that is supplied).
Fixtures come in a wide variety of applications. Fixture selection may be guided by:
Efficient technology
Ceiling height
Spacing
Amount of glare
Distribution of light
Task plane height
Desired light level
Appearance
For the best energy efficiency and light quality consult a lighting professional or designer when selecting
fixtures. To learn more about lighting fixtures and their impact on efficiency visit ENERGY STAR Qualified
Products' Lighting Web page.
Lighting Controls
Controls are a key part of any lighting system. Specify controls that
maximize the flexibility of your system while eliminating light usage,
often automatically. Common controls include:
> Bi-level Switching: Control of a lighting system in groups of
Did You Know?
The most efficient light is the light not used. Many
control technologies are available to save money
and add convenience to your lighting system.
fixtures or lamps, for example bi-level switching allows you to turn-half of the lights in a room off when full
illumination is not required. Bi-level switching is commonly used in offices, conference rooms, and
classrooms.
Dimmers: Dimming lighting systems allow you to control the amount of light and save energy. Dimmers are
available for fluorescent and incandescent systems. Daylight dimmers are special sensors that automatically
dim room lights based on the amount of free and natural daylight available. Dimmers are commonly used in
conference rooms, classrooms, restaurants, and libraries.
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Energy-Savings Potential With
Occupancy Sensors
Application
Energy Savings
> Occupancy Sensors: These sensors detect
the motion of room occupants, turning off lights
in unoccupied areas and turning them back on
when movement is detected. Occupancy
sensors are commonly used in restrooms,
classrooms, and warehouses.
> Daylight Sensor (Photocells): A common
inefficiency of exterior lighting systems is a
tendency to "dayburn." This is when lights are
on during the day, wasting energy and money.
This problem can be prevented by installing
light-sensitive controls that turn the lights on
and off automatically based on daylight, thus
producing convenient energy savings. Timers
can be used, but do not react to changing
daylight conditions.
To learn more about lighting controls systems visit:
DOE's Building Technologies Program's Building
Toolbox Lighting Controls (EXIT>)
National Lighting Product Information Program's
Occupancy Sensors Report (PDF) (EXIT>)
National Lighting Product Information Program's
Photosensors Report (PDF) (EXIT>)
Lighting Controls Association (EXIT>)
Energy Design Resources' Design Brief: Lighting Controls Fact Sheet (PDF) (EXIT>)
Offices (private)
Offices (open spaces)
Rest rooms
Corridors
Storage areas
Meeting rooms
Conference rooms
Warehouses
25-50%
20-25%
30-75%
30^(0%
45-65%
45-65%
45-65%
50-75%
Note: Figures listed represent maximum energy-savings potential under
optimum circumstances, Figures are based on manufacturer estimates,
Actual savings may vary
Source: California Energy CommissioiV'U.S. Department of Energy/
Eleccric Power Research Institute
Daylighting
Save money by harvesting the free light of the sun! Daylight can be
harvested by simply not blocking windows, and by dimming/turning
off the lights based on available daylight throughout your facility.
Common daylighting strategies include:
> Controlling window light through blinds
Did You Know?
Research has shown that daylighting not only saves
money but also improves employee productivity and
product sales.
> Sky lights and "sun tubes"
> Light shelves
> Daytime dimming systems
To learn more about daylighting visit:
Daylighting Collaborative (EXIT>)
DOE's Building Technologies Program's Building Toolbox Daylighting (EXIT>)
Energy Design Resources' Design Guidelines: Daylighting Guidelines (EXIT>)
Future Lighting System Technologies
LED Lighting
In the last 20 years, light-emitting diode (LED) lamps have advanced from being indicators on consumer
electronics, to an increasingly versatile and efficient lighting source. LED lighting has the potential to provide
high efficiency, durability, and extremely long life. Currently, LED lighting is largely restricted to specialty uses
such as accent lighting, LCD monitor backlighting, exit signs as well as use in traffic signals, vehicle brake lights,
and strings of colored holiday lights. However, as the technology becomes more accepted in the market, its
uses will expand and costs will become more competitive. A specific kind of LED, the organic light-emitting
diode (OLED) promises to make energy efficient and designable light panels that can be used in a wide variety
of architectural applications. To learn more about LED technology please visit:
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Lighting Research Center's Solid-State Lighting Web page (EXIT>)
LED Center (EXIT>)
DOE's Building Technologies Program's Solid-State Lighting Web page (EXIT>)
Induction or Electrodeless Fluorescent Lamps
An induction lamp is a fluorescent lamp design that eliminates the most failure prone component of the system,
the electrode, and produces light by exciting the lamp's gas fill with radio frequencies. The result is improved
efficiency over conventional fluorescent designs and extremely long life (upwards of 50,000 hours). Several
induction designs are already on the market, but these lamps are best used for applications where extremely
long lamp life is desired due to maintenance issues. To learn more about induction lamps visit GE's Consumer
& Industrial Lighting web page on Induction Lamps. (EXIT>)
Efficient Lighting Technology Selection Design Guide
Many simple upgrades can be made with good results to existing
systems and standard specifications. Examples of these include:
Substituting T8 fluorescent lamps and electronic ballasts for
T12 lamps and magnetic ballasts.
Replacing incandescent lamps with compact fluorescent
lamps.
Installing fluorescent lighting systems in place of incandescent lighting systems.
Installing metal halide or high-pressure sodium vapor lamps in place of mercury vapor lamps.
Project Suggestion
When selecting a lighting consultant/designer consider
selecting one who is certified "LC" by the National
Council on Qualifications for the Lighting Professions or
"CLC" by the American Lighting Association.
Offices, conference rooms
classrooms
Not
Applicable
Low-Efficiency
in Application
Medium-Low
Efficiency in
Application
O
Medium
Efficiency in
Application
Medium-High
Efficiency in
Application
O
High
Efficiency
in
Application
Note: This table is for informational purposes only, always consult your lighting professional before specifying a
technology for your facility.
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To learn more about lighting design visit:
ENERGY STAR'S ProiectKalc
New Buildings Institute Lighting Guide (EXIT>)
DesignLights Consortium (EXIT>)
International Association of Lighting Designers (EXIT>)
Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance's Lighting Design Lab (EXIT>)
Lithonia Lighting Visual Web page (EXIT>)
Project Suggestion
For new construction and major retrofits
consider having computer models of your
lighting system developed by a qualified
professional to ensure that the design meets the
criteria for your facility.
Additional Lighting Links and Information
ENERGY STAR Qualified Products' Change A Light, Change The World
ENERGY STAR Buildings Upgrade Manual's Lighting Chapter (PDF)
Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (EXIT>)
National Council on Qualifications for the Lighting Professionals (EXIT>)
New Buildings Institute's Lighting Web page (EXIT>)
International Association for Energy-Efficient Lighting (EXIT>)
American Lighting Association (EXIT>)
Rensselear Polytechnic Institute's Lighting Research Center (EXIT>)
DOE's EERE's Consumer's Guide Lighting and Daylighting (EXIT>)
Energy Design Resources' Energy Efficient Technologies: Lighting Design (EXIT>)
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LARGER OPPORTUNITIES: COMMERCIAL FOOD SERVICE EQUIPMENT
When you think of commercial food service equipment (CFSE), you probably think of restaurants, however
CFSE is present in a variety of other facilities as well.
Facilities where CFSE may be found include:
> Restaurants
> Grocery stores
i> Convenience stores
> Community centers
> Public assembly, sports and entertainment facilities
fc Schools
> Congregations
If you operate a facility that serves food, there may be opportunities for saving energy and money from efficient
CFSE equipment. CFSE is often the source of considerable energy and water consumption in a facility.
ENERGY STAR has developed qualifications that identify some of the most efficient commercial food service
equipment. ENERGY STAR qualified CFSE includes gas and electric deep fryers, hot food holding cabinets,
gas and electric steam cookers, and commercial solid door refrigerators and freezers.
ENERGY STAR has developed a Commercial Food Service Equipment Incentive Finder. This tool provides
information about rebates for ENERGY STAR qualified CFSE that are available from utilities and other energy-
efficiency program sponsors.
To learn about CFSE and other product energy-efficiency opportunities visit
ENERGY STAR Small Business's Restaurants Web page.
For detailed information on specific commercial food service equipment visit the
following:
ENERGY STAR Qualified Products' Commercial Fryers
ENERGY STAR Qualified Products' Commercial Steam Cookers
ENERGY STAR Qualified Products' Commercial Hot Food Holding Cabinets
ENERGY STAR Qualified Products' Commercial Solid Door Refrigerators &
Freezers
Consortium For Energy Efficiency's Commercial Programs: Commercial Refrigerators and Freezers (EXIT>)
Consortium For Energy Efficiency's Commercial Programs: Commercial Ice-makers (EXIT>)
Food Service Technology Center's Commercial Kitchen Appliance Technology Assessment Web page (EXIT>)
Food Service Technology Center's Design Guides (EXIT>)
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LARGER OPPORTUNITIES: HEATING, COOLING & VENTILATING
Proper heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (known in the trade as HVAC) are key to maintaining a
comfortable, healthy and productive work environment. Collectively, these systems account for approximately
40 % of the electricity used in commercial buildings. Improved heating and cooling performance along with
substantial energy savings can be achieved by implementing energy-efficiency measures.
Whether you wish to improve the efficiency of your existing heating and cooling systems or are considering
upgrading to a new system, the information on this page will help you to make informed decisions!
> Cooling and Heating Load Reduction
> Heating and Cooling Systems
> Control Systems
> Maintenance
Cooling and Heating Load Reduction
One of the first steps you should consider in your facility before upgrading your heating and cooling system is to
reduce your load (i.e. how much heating and cooling you actually use). Reducing your facility's load allows
existing systems to operate less frequently and newer systems to be designed smaller, thereby lowering
operating costs. Common load reduction strategies include:
> "Tightening" your building shell and adding additional insulation (EXIT>)) to reduce leakage.
> Installing energy-efficient windows (EXIT>) such as ENERGY STAR qualified windows.
> Upgrading lighting systems, energy-efficient lighting systems emit less heat into conditioned space than
older inefficient technology.
> Reducing solar gain (e.g., cool roofing and window tints) in cooling dominated climates, and in cold climates
taking steps to increase solar gain.
> Selecting efficient office equipment and consumer electronics to reduce heat output.
> Controlling ventilation to improve occupant comfort and save energy.
Once you have addressed these areas, you can then make the most of your heating and cooling equipment
dollars.
Heating and Cooling Systems
conditioner is only 10
more efficient model.
Heating and cooling systems are critical to most businesses, but also represent a
large component of many facilities' utility expenses. Cooling systems, in particular, are
typically very energy intensive and are almost always fueled by electricity. Their
operation typically coincides with periods that are subject to peak and time of use
charges.
Heating and cooling systems have advanced significantly in design and efficiency. For
example, today's air conditioners use 30% to 50% less energy to produce the same
amount of cooling as air conditioners made in the mid 1970s. Even if your air
years old, you may save 20% on your cooling energy costs by replacing it with a newer,
Heating and Cooling System Tips:
> Consider implementing efforts to reduce heating and cooling
load before selecting equipment.
> NEVER OVERSIZE! Avoid over sizing equipment at all costs.
Over sizing equipment increases the capital cost at the time
of the installation and the costs of operation of the
equipment. Request that your HVAC professional conduct an
Project Suggestion
For commercial facilities, request an ACCA Manual
N, and for home businesses request a Manual J,
evaluation of your facility's heating and cooling
loads before purchasing any major heating or
cooling system. By following these guidelines you
will receive a system that is sized appropriately for
your facility.
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Air Conditioning Contractors of America's (ACCA) (EXIT>) Manual N Commercial Load Calculation to
ensure proper sizing.
> When selecting a new cooling system, have your HVAC professional provide you a quote and specifications
fora standard-efficiency and high-efficiency unit including lifecycle costs. If the lifecycle cost is less on the
high-efficiency unit, purchase it.
> When purchasing Room Air Conditioners, or Light Commercial heating and cooling units select those units
that are ENERGY STAR qualified.
> Consider energy recovery ventilation systems (EXIT>) to reclaim waste energy from the exhaust air stream
and use it to condition the incoming fresh air.
> In humid climates, consult your HVAC professional about supplemental dehumidification. By controlling
humidity at your facility, you can increase occupant comfort and allow for further downsizing of equipment.
> Consider specifying economizers. Often available at a low incremental cost, these units draw in fresh air
from the outside when the temperature outside is lower than the temperature inside.
> Install programmable thermostats and use automated settings to achieve savings.
> At a minimum, specify National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA (EXIT>)) premium motors on
HVAC equipment, and consider specifying variable speed drives (VSD) on condenser and evaporator fans.
> In dry climates, consider evaporative coolers. These coolers use the evaporation of water to cool spaces,
eliminating the need for energy intensive compressors.
> For facilities that have heat-generating processes such as cooking, or onsite distributed generation
equipment, consider heat recovery as a way to capture free waste heat and use it to offset facility heating
and cooling costs.
> For areas such as warehouses and garages, consider installing radiant heating (EXIT>). Radiant heating
warms objects instead of the air, and requires less fuel. Radiant heat is also useful for warming exterior
areas that require heating, such as patios and waiting areas.
> Many buildings are impacted by what goes on inside the building just as much as (and sometimes even
more than) the weather conditions outside. That is why it is important to properly size equipment and
consider the use of a demand controlled ventilation system (EXIT>) coupled with economizers to meet the
internal loads of the building, e.g., commercial kitchens, computer data centers, etc.
Heating and Cooling System Energy-Efficiency Resources
ENERGY STAR Qualified Products' Heating & Cooling Efficiently Web page
EPA's Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Resources
DOE EERE's Consumer's Guide Space Heating and Cooling Web page (EXIT>)
American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) (EXIT>)
Air Conditioning Contractors of America Resources (EXIT>)
FEMP's Energy-Efficient Products: How to Buy an Energy-Efficient Commercial Unitary Air Conditioner (EXIT>)
Consortium for Energy Efficiency's High-Efficiency Commercial Air Conditioning & Heat Pumps (EXIT>)
Flex Your Power's Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Systems (EXIT>)
Control Systems
A great way to improve the efficiency of heating and cooling systems is to incorporate
control strategies that ensure systems are used only when necessary. Common
control strategies include ENERGY STAR qualified programmable thermostats,
multiple zones, and CO2 demand sensors. These strategies can be specified on new
heating and cooling systems and retrofitted to older systems as well.
ENERGY STAR Qualified Programmable Thermostats: These simple, easy to
install thermostats allow convenient night/weekend setback to save you money.
Models range from $50 to $200 depending on the desired features and usually
include manual overrides to ensure comfort for late night workers.
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> Multiple Zones: By dividing your facility up into multiple heating and cooling zones, your system can deliver
more efficient heating and cooling by eliminating inaccuracies from a central sensor point. In addition,
building occupants in different areas can adjust the temperature to meet their actual needs. If your facility
has many rooms or floors, multiple zones are recommended.
> Demand or CO2 Sensors: Most heating and cooling systems draw in ventilation air by assumed
occupancy, however modern technology has sidestepped this by designing systems that actually can
regulate the air quality of your facility by measuring the amount of CO2 present. The result is more energy-
efficient operation and better air-quality.
Maintenance
Just like your automobile, your facility's heating and cooling systems need maintenance to operate efficiently. To
improve efficiency and help ensure reliability and long life, consider the following tips.
> Engage a qualified HVAC firm in a maintenance contract with seasonal tune-ups. During these tune-ups, a
technician should check combustion efficiency, refrigerant charge, and belt tension as applicable.
> Replace air filters regularly. Accumulated dirt and dust make your fans work harder and reduce airflow.
Clean or replace filters as recommended by your system's manufacturer.
> Clean the evaporator and condenser coils on your heat pump, air-conditioner, or chiller. Dirty coils inhibit
heat transfer; by keeping them clean, you save energy.
> Inspect ducts and piping for leakage or damaged insulation. Leaky ductwork is one of the biggest
contributors to cooling loss in buildings. Apply duct sealer, tape, and insulation as needed.
> Repair old valves and steam traps. These can waste hundreds of dollars and are low cost parts.
To learn more about maintaining your heating and cooling system visit ENERGY STAR'S Heating & Cooling
"Maintenance Checklist" and "Duct Sealing" information and the Air Conditioning Contractors of America's
Preventive Maintenance = Savings (EXIT>) Web page.
LARGER OPPORTUNITIES: OFFICE EQUIPMENT & APPLIANCES
Did You Know?
Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) monitors use less
than 1/3 of the energy of conventional
Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) monitors.
When facility operators think of energy
consumption, they naturally focus on
building operations (such as lighting and
air-conditioning) and its shell components,
but not necessarily on the energy
consuming office equipment and I
appliances contained within.
^m
Office Equipment
As the nation transitions to a more service focused economy, a large portion of which
are small businesses, the amount of energy consuming office equipment will also
increase. Inefficient office equipment not only draws power, but also emits heat that
can contribute to higher cooling bills. Fortunately, to address this issue there are a
variety of ENERGY STAR qualified products that can help you save money and
energy. If you are replacing or purchasing equipment such as computers, monitors,
and copiers always consider ENERGY STAR qualified products.
Other office equipment savings opportunities include:
> Turning office equipment off at night.
> Checking to see if your computer already has power management software installed. If so, activate it.
> Printing double sided per page; much more energy is used in the manufacturing and distributing of paper
than the actual printing at your office.
Find out more information about ENERGY STAR qualified office equipment.
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To download FREE Power Management Software for your non-ENERGY STAR qualified_computer visit
ENERGY STAR'S Power Management Software.
To learn more about office equipment energy efficiency visit:
Pacific Energy Center's "Energy-Efficient Office Equipment" Fact Sheet (PDF)
Advanced Buildings Technologies & Practices' Energy Efficient Office Equipment (EXIT>)
Appliances
Many small businesses, for example offices, have a variety of appliances such as
refrigerators and dishwashers. These appliances, just like the ones in your home, can be
purchased in models that are more energy efficient. ENERGY STAR qualified appliances
incorporate advanced technologies that use 10% to 50% less energy and water than
standard models.
In addition, there are many energy-efficiency opportunities to help you reduce the energy
consumption of these appliances.
For refrigerators, water coolers, and freezers maintain an air-gap of at least 3 inches between the back of
the appliance and the wall. Also, try cleaning condenser coils (or the back of the appliance) regularly.
Check door seals for signs of cracking or hardening, if you can easily pull a dollar bill out from between the
seal and frame on a closed door replace the seal.
Use dishwashers only when full to conserve energy, water, and detergent.
Use timers to ensure that coffee maker heating elements are not operating in off hours.
To learn more about appliance energy efficiency visit:
ENERGY STAR Qualified Appliances
Consortium for Energy Efficiency (EXIT>)
Federal Trade Commission's How to Buy an Energy-Efficient Home Appliance Fact Sheet (EXIT>)
California Energy Commission's Database of Energy Efficient Appliances (EXIT>)
LARGER OPPORTUNITIES: REFRIGERATION
Refrigeration equipment for businesses such as grocery stores, convenience stores, and restaurants typically
account for 25% to 60% of electricity consumption. Fortunately, there have been many advances in commercial
refrigeration technology - many of which are extremely cost ^^^^^^^^^^^_^^^^^^^^^^_
effective with improved product quality.
Your facility's size and type, and the needs of your business may
determine the type of refrigeration system used.
Central refrigeration systems consist of refrigerated spaces
connected to a remote condenser. These systems have the
advantage of emitting waste heat outside of the conditioned
space through the condenser.
Stand-alone refrigeration systems, often called merchandisers,
usually have the case, evaporator and condenser packaged in a
single unit, similar to your home refrigerator. These stand-alone
units are commonly used in smaller facilities where a central
refrigeration system is not justified.
Did You Know?
Technology options can save considerably on
electricity used for refrigeration.
Save:
• 10% with energy-efficient case lighting
• 3% to 10% with floating head pressure
controls
* 5% to 13% with energy-efficient fan motors
* 1 % to 6% with defrost controls
• 3% to 9% with evaporative condensers
Source: "Focus on Energy" (EXIT >)
There are many other efficiency opportunities in refrigeration. When working with a contractor or service
provider, ask them to review and specify additional efficiency measures, such as:
> ENERGY STAR qualified commercial solid door refrigerators and freezers.
> Premium insulation packages where available for walk-in coolers.
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> National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) (EXIT>) premium motors and/or variable speed
drives on evaporator and condenser fans.
> Oversized condensers to supercool refrigerant.
> Humidistat controlled anti-sweat heaters, instead of timers, for large display systems.
> Evaporative condensers.
> Defrost controls, instead of timers, that measure frost accumulation and humidity.
> Floating head pressure systems and/or liquid pressure amplifier pumps.
> Efficient T8, T5, or compact fluorescent lighting with electronic ballasts.
> Glass door cases (instead of open door cases).
> Heat recovery from compressors and condensers to provide hot water.
> Automatic door closers (with appropriate interior safety releases).
To learn more about refrigeration energy efficiency visit:
ENERGY STAR Qualified Products Commercial Solid Door Refrigerators and Freezers
Focus on Energy Business Programs' Energy Efficient Refrigeration for Grocery Stores, Convenience Stores
and Restaurants Fact Sheet (PDF) (EXIT>)
PG&E's A Guide to Help You Minimize Your Refrigeration System Energy Use Fact Sheet (PDF) (EXIT>)
FEMP's Technology Installation Review: Energy Savings in Refrigerated Walk-in Boxes Fact Sheet (PDF)
(EXIT>)
Maintenance Tips
> Engage a qualified heating, cooling, and ventilation (HVAC) contractor in a maintenance contract with
seasonal tune-ups. During these tune-ups, a technician should check combustion efficiency, refrigerant
level, and belt tension as applicable.
> Properly load the unit. Overloaded refrigeration units result in disrupted airflow while under loaded units are
using more energy than needed.
> Clean cooling coils regularly to ensure proper airflow and heat transfer.
> Whenever considering any modification to an existing refrigeration system that involves changing
refrigerants, consult your refrigeration professional.
To learn more about refrigerants visit EPA's Stationary Air Conditioning Web page.
For information on stand alone commercial solid and glass door refrigerators and freezers please visit the
"Commercial Food Service Equipment" section of the Small Business Guide.
In addition, the "Office Equipment & Appliances" section of the Guide has information on residential stand-alone
refrigerators and freezers.
vvEPA
September 2007
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LEADING SMALL BUSINESS FACILITY TYPES
The kind of energy-efficiency upgrades that are available and/or are applicable vary by type of small business.
Find information on energy-efficiency opportunities, technologies and practices specifically designed for your
facility type using the links below.
> Auto Dealers
> Educational Facilities
> Food Service/Restaurant
> Grocery/Convenience Store
> Lodging
> Office
> Retail
LEADING SMALL BUSINESS FACILITY TYPES: AUTO DEALERS
For information on energy-efficiency opportunities in automobile dealer facilities visit:
ENERGY STAR for Auto Dealers
A Dealer Guide to ENERGY STAR® Putting Energy into Profits (PDF)
National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA), Energy Stewardship Initiative (EXIT>)
Learn more about the following technologies and practices that are applicable in
automobile dealer store facilities.
Building Shell
Heating, Cooling & Ventilating
Lighting
Office Eguipment & Appliances
vvEPA
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LEADING SMALL BUSINESS FACILITY TYPES: EDUCATIONAL
FACILITIES
For information on energy-efficiency opportunities in education facilities visit:
ENERGY STAR for K-12 School Districts
ENERGY STAR for Higher Education
DOE's Energy Solutions for Your Building - School Buildings (EXIT>)
DOE's Energy Solutions for Your Building - University Buildings (EXIT>)
DOE's Rebuild America's EnergySmart Schools (EXIT>)
DOE's Rebuild America's Collages and Universities (EXIT>)
Pacific Gas and Electric Company's Energy Reduction Action Plan For Schools
(EXIT>)
Energy Design Resources' Building Types: Schools (EXIT>)
Council of Educational Facility Planners International's (CEFPI) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Web
Page (EXIT>)
Learn more about the following technologies and practices that are applicable in education facilities.
Building Shell
Commercial Food Service Eguipment
Heating, Cooling & Ventilating
Lighting
Office Eguipment & Appliances
Refrigeration
Resources for students and teachers:
EPA's Environmental Kids Club
EPA Clean School Bus USA
DOE's "For Students and Kids" (EXIT>)
DOE's Office of Science: Office of Workforce Development for Teachers and
Scientists (EXIT>)
vvEPA
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LEADING SMALL BUSINESS FACILITY TYPES: FOOD SERVICE/RESTAURANT
For information on energy-efficiency opportunities in food service/
restaurant facilities visit:
ENERGY STAR Small Business' Restaurants Web page
Green Restaurant Association (EXIT>)
National Restaurant Association (EXIT>)
Pacific Gas and Electric Company's Energy Reduction Action Plan for
Restaurants (EXIT>)
San Diego Gas & Electric's Energy-Saving Solutions for Restaurants
Guide (PDF) (EXIT>)
North American Association of Food Eguipment Manufacturers (EXIT>)
Fisher Nickel's Food Service Technology Center (EXIT>)
Learn more about the following technologies and practices that are applicable in food service/restaurant
facilities.
Building Shell
Commercial Food Service Eguipment
Heating, Cooling & Ventilating
Lighting
Office Eguipment & Appliances
Refrigeration
LEADING SMALL BUSINESS FACILITY TYPES: GROCERY/CONVENIENCE STORE
For information on energy-efficiency opportunities in grocery/convenience store
facilities visit:
ENERGY STAR Small Business Grocery & Convenience Stores Web page
EnergvSmart Grocer (EXIT>)
Focus On Energy's Grocery and Convenience Stores Web page (EXIT>)
National Grid's Managing Energy Costs in Grocery Stores Fact Sheet (PDF)
(EXIT>)
Learn more about the following technologies and practices that are
applicable in grocery/convenience store facilities.
Building Shell
Commercial Food Service Eguipment
Heating, Cooling & Ventilating
Lighting
Office Eguipment & Appliances
Refrigeration
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LEADING SMALL BUSINESS FACILITY TYPES: HEALTH CARE
For information on energy-efficiency opportunities in health care facilities visit:
ENERGY STAR for Healthcare
DOE's Energy Solutions for Your Building - Health Care Buildings (EXIT>)
DOE's Rebuild America's Commercial Buildings (EXIT>)
Hospitals for a Healthy Environment (EXIT>)
EPA & DOE's Labs For The 21- Century (EXIT>)
NYSERDA's Hospital/Institutions Web page (EXIT>)
Whole Building Design Guide's Health Care Facilities (EXIT>)
Energy Design Resources' Building Types: Hospitals & Labs (EXIT>)
Learn more about the following technologies and practices that are applicable in health
care facilities.
Building Shell
Commercial Food Service Eguipment
Heating, Cooling & Ventilating
Lighting
Office Eguipment & Appliances
Refrigeration
m
LEADING SMALL BUSINESS FACILITY TYPES: LODGING
For information on energy-efficiency opportunities in lodging facilities visit:
ENERGY STAR Small Business' Lodging Web page
ENERGY STAR for Hospitality
DOE's Energy Solutions for Your Building - Lodgings (EXIT>)
DOE's Rebuild America's Commercial Buildings (EXIT>)
Global Steward's Environmental Tips For Green Hotels (EXIT>)
Green Hotels Association (EXIT>)
Learn more about the following technologies and practices that are applicable in lodging facilities.
Building Shell
Commercial Food Service Eguipment
Heating, Cooling & Ventilating
Lighting
Office Eguipment & Appliances
Refrigeration
vvEPA
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LEADING SMALL BUSINESS FACILITY TYPES: OFFICE
For information on energy-efficiency opportunities in office facilities visit:
ENERGY STAR Small Business' Office Web page
ENERGY STAR for Commercial Real Estate
DOE's Energy Solutions for Your Building - Office Buildings (EXIT>)
DOE's Rebuild America's Commercial Buildings (EXIT>)
Pacific Gas and Electric Company's Energy Reduction Action Plan For Office
Buildings (EXIT>)
Energy Design Resources' Building Types: Offices (EXIT>)
Flex Your Power's Small Retailers and Offices (EXIT>)
Learn more about the following technologies and practices that are applicable in office facilities
Building Shell
Heating, Cooling & Ventilating
Lighting
^^ Office Eguipment & Appliances
^
LEADING SMALL BUSINESS FACILITY TYPES: RETAIL
For information on energy-efficiency opportunities in retail facilities visit:
ENERGY STAR Small Business' Retail Web page
DOE's Energy Solutions for Your Building - Retail Buildings
DOE's Rebuild America's Commercial Buildings (EXIT>)
Energy Design Resources' Building Types: Retail Stores (EXIT>)
Flex Your Power's Small Retailers and Offices (EXIT>)
Learn more about the following technologies and practices that are applicable in retail facilities.
Building Shell
Heating, Cooling & Ventilating
Lighting
Office Eguipment & Appliances
vvEPA
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CALCULATE YOUR SAVINGS
Assess Your Savings Potential!
You can't see energy, so it can be difficult to visualize
the potential savings lying undiscovered in your facility.
However, you can see and easily understand those
utility bills you receive each month. Visualize your
energy bill being lower by 25 to 30 percent, or even
more. Visualize your potential energy savings as an
appreciable pile of cash that could go to your bottom
line instead of to your local utility.
Midnight
Noon
Midnight
Clearly managing energy use makes good business sense, but remember, "you can't manage what you can't
measure." Your facility's energy use for lighting, heating, cooling, office equipment and other systems can be
easily identified, measured and analyzed. The result is a new and interesting look at your facility - where simple
identification and measurement techniques provide the first steps toward eliminating waste and saving money.
You can begin the process today by pulling out your utility bill file and looking at what you are paying each
month and each year for energy with the knowledge that you can reduce energy waste and reclaim much of the
money you are paying out for energy. Then use the following resources to:
Identify how your energy use compares to that of similar
type facilities.
ENERGY STAR'S Energy-Intensive Calculator
ENERGY STAR'S Portfolio Manager
Lawrence Berkley National Laboratories' ARCH: A Building
Energy Reference Tool (EXIT>)
DOE's Building Technologies Program's Building Energy
Software Tools Directory (EXIT>)
Did You Know?
Your peak electricity use usually occurs during a time
of day when rates are at their highest. If you are
charged a "demand rate" on your electric bill, you pay a
fee based on your peak amount of electricity
consumption. Lowering your peak rate of usage can
save big!
Assess your facility and discover energy-efficient upgrade opportunities.
DOE's Energy-Efficiency Products: Energy Cost Calculators (EXIT>)
Alliant Energy's Energy Efficiency Calculators (EXIT>)
ENERGYguide's Online Analysis Tools (EXIT>)
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September 2007
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CALCULATE YOUR SAVINGS: FINANCIAL ANALYSIS
Turning Energy Into Cash
It always pays to do your homework before investing in energy-efficient equipment such as ENERGY STAR
qualified products. What products and equipment really work? How much will it cost to install? Where do you
find the money? How quickly will you recover your investment? There are many resources to help you get the
answers that will work for your business.
Analysis - Tools and Resources
ENERGY STAR'S Resources: Finance, Products & Services
EPA's Small Business Gateway
Small Business Administration's Financing Your Business (EXIT>)
Did You Know?
Bill comparison provides you with a
technique to quantify your savings after
implementation of energy-efficient measures.
Incentives, Rebates and Other Resources
National Association of State Energy Officials' "State and Territory Energy Offices" Web page (EXIT>)
Alliance to Save Energy's Financing Energy Efficiency (EXIT>)
Local Government Commission's Funding Opportunities(EXIT>)
Another consideration in funding energy-efficiency upgrades is the price of the equipment. Why pay more than
you must for efficient products and equipment? Perhaps your Chamber of Commerce, trade or professional
business association would sponsor a group purchase in which you and other small businesses pool your
buying power for volume discounts. Read more about this strategy to stretch your investment capital in
ENERGY STAR Small Business's Group Purchasing Fact Sheet (PDF) (EXIT>)
The two most common financial evaluation tools are simple
payback and internal rate of return (IRR).
> Simple Payback: The number of years it takes to
recover the cost of the upgrade from the savings.
> Internal Rate of Return: Compares the financial results
of an upgrade against other investments.
Learn more about financial indicators in ENERGY STAR'S
Buildings Upgrade Manual's Financing Section. (PDF)
Cooling Lighting Heating
Old Cost
Estimated New Cost
vvEPA
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CALCULATE YOUR SAVINGS: SAVING WITH ENERGY STAR
ENERGY STAR qualified products are equal to or better than standard products of the same type, but the good
news is they use less energy! And since they use less energy, ENERGY STAR qualified products save you
money on your utility bills while helping to protect the environment by causing fewer harmful greenhouse gas
emissions. The following link provides access to calculators of various types of ENERGY STAR qualified
products. These calculators estimate the annual dollar and energy savings you can expect by installing an
ENERGY STAR qualified version.
Energy Star Savings Calculators
CALCULATE YOUR SAVINGS: INDIRECT BENEFITS
Saving More Than You Know
When you invest in energy efficiency, the benefits
go far beyond saving energy and money, and
protecting the environment by helping prevent
pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
> Potential to Improve Employee
Productivity: Enhanced comfort and
improved lighting conditions may contribute to
improvements in staff productivity.
> Reduced Operations and Maintenance
Costs: Many energy-efficient technologies
significantly decrease your operations and
maintenance requirements, saving not only
money but also staff time.
> Increased Customer Comfort: Building
upgrades will improve your facility's
appearance, present your products or services
Make a Good Building Even Better!
High -|
Energy Performance Rating
in a comfortable, well-lit environment, and help your customers enjoy their visit. This can increase sales and
encourage repeat business.
> Increased Asset Value: Efficient business properties have higher market values than those with higher
operating costs.
> Enhanced Public Image: Your contribution to environmental protection very positively differentiates your
business from your competitors.
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GREEN YOUR BUSINESS
GREEN YOUR BUSINESS: RENEWABLE ENERGY AND GREEN POWER
After addressing energy-efficiency opportunities available in your facility, you
may also want to consider renewable energy and green power. Renewable
energy refers to electricity supplied from energy sources, such as wind, solar,
geothermal, hydro, and biomass. These energy sources are considered
renewable sources because they are continuously replenished.
Electricity that is generated from renewable energy sources is often referred to
as "green power." Green power products can include electricity generated
exclusively from renewable resources or, more frequently, electricity produced from a combination of fossil and
renewable resources.
If interested in installing renewable energy equipment in your facility, incentives
may be available in your state to "buy down" the cost. To learn more about
incentives visit the "Finding Funds" section of this guide.
Of course, not every small business can install renewable energy technology at
their facility. Fortunately you can buy green power for your facility directly from
many utilities at a slightly higher cost than regular electricity. If your utility does
not offer green power options you can still participate by purchasing renewable
energy certificates. Renewable energy certificates (or green tags) document the
purchase of renewable energy.
Check out the following links for additional information on renewable energy and green power:
EPA's Clean Energy Web site
EPA's Green Power Partnership
DOE's Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) Office (EXIT>)
Renewable Energy Policy Project (REPP) (EXIT>)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory's (NREL) Renewable Energy for Small Business Owners (EXIT>)
Interstate Renewable Energy Council's Small Wind Energy (EXIT>)
DOE's EERE's The Green Power Network (EXIT>)
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GREEN YOUR BUSINESS: AIR POLLUTION
Pollution Prevented Through Energy Savings
Employing energy-efficient technology such as ENERGY STAR qualified products can
help reduce emissions (air pollution') from power plants that produce energy. Carbon
dioxide emission is a primary cause of global climate change, sulfur dioxide is a key
component of acid rain, and nitrogen oxide is responsible for smog.
Making your business more energy efficient means
you will use less energy and save money, while
helping the environment at the same time! Since
utilities will not need to generate as much electricity,
they won't burn as much fossil fuel, which means
they are releasing less pollution into the
atmosphere. To find out more about estimating how
much money you can save by reducing your
facility's energy use, please visit the "Calculate"
section of this guide.
Did You Know?
For each kilowatt-hour (kWhj of electricity
that you save through the application of
energy-efficient technologies, you are
reducing the emissions of carbon dioxide,
sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides.
Air Pollution links:
EPA's Air Pollution Web Page
AIRNow (EXIT>)
DOE's Clean Air, Soil, & Water Web Page (EXIT>)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Air Pollution & Respiratory Health (EXIT>)
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NEW BUILDING DESIGN
GREEN YOUR BUSINESS: NEW BUILDING DESIGN &
CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS
The intent of energy-efficient design for new construction and/or remodeling is to utilize efficient equipment while
optimizing the use of natural energy sources. The ultimate goal is to provide increased comfort with reductions
in energy costs and greenhouse gas pollution.
Energy-efficient design and construction does not need to cost any more than standard design - so get started
and realize significant energy and cost savings for your business. Let ENERGY STAR'S Building Design
Guidance help you manage the design and construction process right from the start!
Get energy code advice from DOE's Building Energy Codes Program. (EXIT>)
Energy-Efficiency Design and Construction Resources
Whole Building Design Guide's Building Types (EXIT>)
DOE's Design, Construct & Renovate (EXIT>)
ENVIRON Design Collaborative's Solar & Energy Efficient Design (EXIT>)
Sustainable and Green Building Guidance
EPA's Green Buildings
Building Green's Making the Case for Green Building (EXIT>)
California Integrated Waste Management Board's (EXIT>)
Green Building Design and Construction (EXIT>)
Sustainable Buildings Industry Council (EXIT>)
GREEN YOUR BUSINESS: PAPER
You may not think of your business' paper use as an area to
Paper manufacturers in the U.S. consume a significant amount of energy each year in
the production of paper- not to mention the energy spent harvesting and shipping
trees, and shipping paper products to your business. There are some simple steps you
can follow to optimize your use of this valuable resource that will save money, reduce
waste, protect our nation's forests and reduce energy consumption!
> Use double-sided printing and copying.
» Distribute documents electronically instead of in hard copy
when feasible.
> Select paper products with a high recycled content.
> Recycle as much of the paper products you use as
possible.
Check out the following links for additional information:
EPA's WasteWise
Paper Industry Association Council paperrecycles.org's Recycling: in the workplace (EXIT>)
vvEPA
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GREEN YOUR BUSINESS: RECYCLING
It does not matter what type of business you have or what type of facility you run - there is
some amount of material you use that can be recycled. From aluminum cans, and glass and
plastic bottles, to used oil and printer toner cartridges, recycling reduces the amount of waste
materials that are put in landfills or incinerated while decreasing greenhouse gas emissions
and deforestation. That's good for everybody! Ask your building management or waste
handler about recycling opportunities.
Check out the following links for additional information:
EPA's "Recycling" Web page
EPA's "Recycling/Pollution Prevention" Web page
EPA's "WasteWise" Web site
Technology Specific Recycling
During your upgrade projects, and normal maintenance, you will likely have to deal with lighting and electronic
waste. The disposal of some of this waste may be regulated, since both electronic and lighting waste may
contain potentially harmful substances, and these products may need to be separated from your other garbage.
The best way to dispose of this waste is to recycle it.
To learn more about the recycling and disposal of lighting and electronic waste visit:
EPA's Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA) Disposal Requirements for Fluorescent Light Ballasts Fact Sheet
(PDF)
EPA's Electronics: A New Opportunity for Waste Prevention, Reuse, and Recycling Fact Sheet (PDF)
National Park Service's Envirofacts: Lighting Waste Management Fact Sheet (PDF) (EXIT>)
National Electrical Manufacturers Association's Lamp Recycle.org Web site (EXIT>)
vvEPA
September 2007
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GREEN YOUR BUSINESS: WATER
You may wonder what water use and saving energy have to do with each other?
In most cases, electricity or gas are used to heat water, and this costs you
money. In addition, your water company uses energy to purify and pump water to
your business as well as in the treatment of your sewage. So part of your water
and sewage bill is really an energy bill. The more water your business consumes,
the more you will benefit from optimizing water use. Some ways to save related to
the water you use are:
> Repair leaking pipes, fixtures and seals.
> Install water-efficient appliances where applicable.
Install efficient showerheads (EXIT>) and faucets. (EXIT>)
Install controls that turn faucets off automatically.
Put in high-efficiency toilets and urinals. (EXIT>)
Depending on your type of business, use horizontal axis washing
machines.
Did You Know?
Repairing a seal that is leaking water can
save money and hundreds of gallons of
water per year - and if it's a hot water leak,
you can save even more money!
Practice green landscaping (greenscaping orxeriscaping) to
preserve natural resources and prevent waste and pollution.
Install an insulation blanket on water heaters seven years of age or older, and insulate the first 3 feet of the
heated water "out" pipe from your water heater.
Install an energy-efficient electric (EXIT>) or gas (EXIT>) water heater.
In areas of infrequent water use, consider "tankless" water heaters to reduce "standby" storage costs and
waste.
Check out the following links for additional information:
EPA's "WaterSense: Efficiency Made Easy" Web page
EPA's Water- Glossary
"Water Wiser- The Water Efficiency Clearinghouse" Web site (EXIT>)
"Water Efficiency Manual for Commercial, Industrial, and Institutional Facilities" (PDF) (EXIT>)
Colorado Springs Utilities' "Xeriscape" Web page (EXIT>)
vvEPA
September 2007
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Putting Energy Into Profits: ENERGY STAR® Small Business Online Guide
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GREEN YOUR BUSINESS: SMALL BUSINESS TRENDS
Small Business, Big impact!
One thing is for sure, as a small business owner you are not alone! There are
millions of small businesses across the United States traveling the same road as
^ you each and every day. Although your business operates in its own unique
fashion, the cumulative impact of the small business sector is enormous.
Small business is BIG!
The 23 million small businesses in America account for 54% of all U.S. sales.
Small businesses provide 55% of all jobs and 66% of all net new jobs since
the1970's.
> The 600,000 plus franchised small
M^ \ • businesses in the U.S. account for
*f+f 40% of all retail sales and provide
^^^ jobs for some 8 million people.
> The small business sector in America occupies 30-50% of all
commercial space, an estimated 20-34 billion square feet.
Did You Know?
Small business drives the U.S. economy by
providing jobs for over half of the private
workforce.
Furthermore, the small business sector is growing rapidly. While corporate America has
been "downsizing", the rate of small business "start-ups" has grown, and the rate for
small business failures has declined.
> The number of small businesses in the United States has increased 49 % since
1982.
> Since 1990, as big business eliminated 4 million jobs, small businesses added 8
million new jobs.
For more interesting facts about the Small Businesses community visit:
U.S. Census Bureau's Statistics of U.S. Businesses (EXIT>)
U.S. Small Business Association (EXIT>)
SBA Office of Advocacy's Firm Size Data (EXIT>)
DOE's Energy Information Administration (EXIT>)
National Small Business Association (EXIT>)
vvEPA
September 2007
United States
Environmental Protection
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