ENERGY STAR
ENERGY STAR® Action Workbook
for Small Business
April 2015
bascm&i/
. m
A PQA United States
'SiftrT\fl5,;'«J™"""IPro,",™r' ENERGY STAR®, is a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency program helping organizations and individuals
fight climate change through superior energy efficiency. Learn more at energystar.gov/buildings.
-------
S7"l7>
&
pRcrte-0ing your ZIP
Code. Data referenced in this document is provided by the U.S. EPA.
i
-------
ENERGY STAR® Action Workbook for Small Business
Table of Contents
Introduction 1
Step 1. Make a Commitment 3
1.1 Why Energy Efficiency is Key to Your Business Goals 3
1.2 Form a Dedicated Energy Team 4
1.3 Institute an Energy Policy 6
1.4 Review - Make a Commitment 6
Step 2. Assess Performance 7
2.1 Baseline, Benchmark, and Start Saving NOW 7
2.2 Gather and Track Data (Baseline) 7
2.3 Analyze Data (Benchmark) 8
2.4 Conduct a Technical Walkthrough and Implement Sure Energy Savers 9
2.5 Consider an Audit 14
2.6 Review - Assess Performance 15
Step 3. Set Goals 16
3.1 Determine the Scope of Your Goals 16
3.2 Set Goals 17
3.3 Prioritize Your Goals 17
3.4 Review - Set Goals 18
Step 4. Create an Action Plan 19
4.1 Define Projects and Timelines for Implementation 19
4.2 Determine Roles and Responsibilities 20
4.3 Determine Resources and Find Funds 20
4.4 Review - Create an Action Plan 21
Step 5. Implement the Action Plan 22
5.1 Create a Communication Plan 22
5.2 Raise Awareness of the Action Plan 23
5.3 Manage the Plan—Implement Energy Efficiency Projects 23
5.4 Review - Implement the Action Plan 24
Step 6. Evaluate Progress 25
ii
-------
ENERGY STAR® Action Workbook for Small Business
6.1 Continue to Track Progress 25
6.2 Measure Results and Verify Savings 25
6.3 Review the Action Plan 26
6.4 Review - Evaluate Progress 27
Step 7. Recognize Achievements 28
7.1 Provide Internal Recognition 28
7.2 Receive External Recognition 29
7.3 Review - Recognize Achievements 31
Next Steps 32
-------
ENERGY STAR" Action Workbook for Small Business
Introduction
Energy efficiency is the fastest, least expensive, and largest single solution for simultaneously saving
energy and money, and preventing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Through the market-based,
voluntary, ENERGY STAR program, the EPA is helping businesses and individuals save money and protect
our climate through superior energy efficiency. These efforts have helped create jobs, lower utility bills,
and contribute to cleaner air and the protection of human health. Small businesses play a key role in in
the national energy economy, as over 50% of the working population in the U.S. works in a small
business1. You and your community have a lot to gain when you improve your energy efficiency.
Energy is a controllable cost and every business has some
degree of energy waste. Thousands of American building
owners and operators use ENERGY STAR tools and
resources to realize significant energy and dollar savings,
while reducing GHG emissions. To help companies like
yours, EPA developed this free, online "ENERGY STAR
Action Workbook for Small Business". Following the
guidelines and suggestions in the Workbook will not only
help you save money, but will also enable you to
showcase an environmental commitment to staff and
customers. If your businesses' percentage of operating
costs for energy is greater your businesses' operating
profit, anything you save in operating costs equals more
profit for you. Energy savings are dollars that you would
have to pay your utility. Why not save them for your
business priorities?
Small businesses come in a variety of sizes represented
among America's industries. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), 52% of small
businesses are home-based. Others own or rent commercial building space. Whether you own your
building, are a tenant, or work from home, you need lighting, heating, air conditioning, power for
equipment, and other energy services. Small business owners are awakening to the potential savings
from energy management. A recent poll conducted by the National Small Business Association (NSBA)
showed that 82% of small businesses surveyed have already taken one or more steps to reduce energy
use.
No matter how far along you are in managing energy for your small business, the easy, simple ENERGY
STAR approach can help you do more with your limited resources. To get on the path to savings, start by
building your own energy plan. Use the seven steps of the ENERGY STAR Guidelines for Energy
1 The National Small Business Association 2011 Energy Survey;
http://www.nsba.biz/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/2011 energy survev.pdf
Make Commitment
Assess Performance
& Set Goals
Create
Action Plan
Recognize Implement
Achievements Action Plan
Evaluate
Progress
Figure 1. ENERGY STAR
Guidelines for Energy Management
1
-------
ENERGY STAR® Action Workbook for Small Business
Management (Figure 1) in this action workbook to provide a strategic approach to improving your
property's energy performance. The Guidelines are widely used and can help you build the most cost-
effective and practical energy management system for a small enterprise. They have been proven
effective by thousands of partners. In effect, the Guidelines are an "energy management system."
Many small business owners do not have a lot of extra time and money for complex projects. This
workbook includes actions that will provide the greatest return on your time and expense investments.
In fact, many require little or no investment at all. It is often the simple operation and maintenance
improvements or behavioral changes that achieve some of the most significant savings.
This workbook also includes information on improving your property's water efficiency. Energy and
water efficiency are closely tied together; efficient hot water use will decrease energy cost, as well as
water cost. As you move through this workbook, you may want to consider water efficiency
opportunities along with energy efficiency.
Accompanying appendices in a separate document are referenced throughout—they include more in-
depth information on specific topics, such as lighting and water, as well as resources to help you look at
energy savings opportunities throughout your property. They also contain sector-specific guidance for
automobile dealerships, home-based businesses, offices (including tenants), restaurants, grocery and
convenience stores, small and medium manufacturers, and hotels/motels. All of this information can get
you on your way to improving the energy efficiency of your business. The full list of appendices includes:
1. Appendix A - Benchmarking your Property with Portfolio Manager®
2. Appendix B - Sure Energy Savers
1. Lighting
2. Building Envelope
3. Office Equipment
4. Kitchen and Food Service Equipment
5. Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC)
6. Water and the EPA WaterSense Program
3. Appendix C - Energy Audits and Professional Assistance
4. Appendix D - Project Financing
5. Appendix E - Working with Contractors
6. Appendix F - Restaurant/Food Service
7. Appendix G-Auto dealers
8. Appendix H - Lodging: Hotels, Motels, and Inns
9. Appendix I - Office Buildings for Owners and Tenants
10. Appendix J - Grocery/Convenience Stores
11. Appendix K - Small and Medium Manufacturers
12. Appendix L- Home-based Businesses
13. Appendix M - The US Small Business Administration (SBA)
14. Appendix N - EPA GreenPower Partnership
15. Appendix O - EPA Office of Small Business Programs
2
-------
ENERGY STAR® Action Workbook for Small Business
Step 1. Make a Commitment
Did you know that 87% of small businesses believe the impacts
of climate change could hurt their business2? While the
prospect of increasing the energy efficiency of your business
may seem daunting at first, your energy program can insulate
your business against higher energy costs. This Small Business
Action Workbook will help you create an energy management
program with simple, manageable steps your business can
implement incrementally. No matter the size or type of
business, the first step of successful energy management is to
make a commitment to saving. Begin your own energy
management journey by joining the ENERGY STAR Small
Business Network; visit ENERGY STAR to sign up at
www.energystar.gov/ioinbuildings. The ENERGY STAR logo is
recognized by more than 85 percent of the American public—
you can use it to show your customers and clients that you are
committed to saving energy, and to being an environmental
leader.
Businesses seeing the financial returns from superior energy
management continuously strive to improve performance.
Their success is based on regularly assessing energy
performance and implementing steps to save money. This section will explain:
• Why energy efficiency is key to your business goals
• How to form a dedicated energy team
• How to implement an energy policy
1.1 Why Energy Efficiency is Key to Your Business Goals
"Energy efficiency? I don't have the time!" you may think. But, did you know that small businesses can
typically save as much money and prevent as much pollution, per square foot of their property, as large
corporations? The savings you achieve through efficiency measures may very well "pay you back" for
time invested. "But I don't even own my building. What changes can I make and what impact will they
have?" This workbook has information for tenants throughout, and Appendix I includes information to
help tenants identify efficiencies in office facilities. Whether your business owns its own property or is a
tenant, you can assess savings associated with perspective upgrades by using ENERGY STAR tools and
calculators.
2 American Sustainable Business Council's Small Business Owners' Views on Climate & Energy Policy Reform poll
report, 2014; http://asbcouncil.org/sites/default/files/asbcpollreportclimateenergvpolicvreform final.pdf
ENERGY STAR
"Small businesses are the engine
of the American economy, and
they play a substantial role in
safeguarding the integrity of our
Earth. The Action Workbook
proves that adopting green
business practices is profitable,
responsible, and sustainable.
The SBA is ready to provide
necessary incentives to steer our
businesses into embracing
environmental stewardship."
- SBA Administrator Maria
Contreras-Sweet. For more
information on SBA programs
see Appendix M or go to
www.SBA.gov
3
-------
ENERGY STAR® Action Workbook for Small Business
Money and Your Small Business
Energy management and the purchase of ENERGY STAR
certified products can reduce energy costs without
compromising customer satisfaction. The money saved on your
utility bills can be redirected to other business initiatives. Also
consider costs that can be avoided by extending the useful life
of your property (or properties) and equipment.
The People: Employee and Customer Satisfaction
Sixty-eight percent of adults like to do business with
companies that are environmentally responsible and more
than 80 percent of workers are attracted by an employer with
an environmental reputation3. In fact, about half of workers
said they would forgo higher pay or a promotion to work for an
organization with a good environmental reputation4. The
bottom line? Both your employees and customers appreciate
your business' environmental responsibility. As you will learn
in this workbook, you can demonstrate environmental
responsibility through energy and water management while
simultaneously improving the overall comfort and appearance
of your business. Your business can be a model of energy efficiency in your community!
The Environment
ENERGY STAR certified buildings are responsible for 35% fewer greenhouse gas emissions than their
peers. You can help reduce energy related pollution, as you save money. Even if your property has
minimal square footage, you can still make a difference.
1.2 Form a Dedicated Energy Team
Your energy efficiency program should be tailored to your business' culture and resources. It is
important to make the program your own by taking advantage of existing resources or individuals who
may already be implementing efficiency efforts. Behind most successful programs lies a core team of
dedicated individuals. For most small businesses, two to three people may be the core of the team,
while for larger businesses it could be five to ten people. Keep in mind that a small group can reach
consensus and start working quickly.
Good Earth Market, Billings, Mont:
Efficiency on a Tight Budget
When the Good Earth Market, a
local and organic foods
cooperative, renovated their
building (a former auto body shop),
they utilized the existing space as
much as possible. They spent
money available on new
mechanical, electrical, and
plumbing systems to make the
space as efficient as possible, but
salvaged shelves and cases from a
derelict grocery store. As they find
financing, the store is incrementally
improving the building envelope
and replacing the few remaining
single pane windows with ENERGY
STAR certified ones. Learn more at
www, eneravstar. gov/smallbiz
3 ENERGY STAR Report, Does Green Pay Off?, 2008;
http://www.energvstar.gov/buildings/tools-and-resources/does-green-pav
4 ENERGY STAR, Summary of the financial benefits of ENERGY STAR labeled office buildings, 2006;
http://www.energystar.gov/ia/partners/publications/pubdocs/Summarv of the Financial Benefits 23June06 FINAL.pdf
4
-------
ENERGY STAR® Action Workbook for Small Business
A single individual may be the full "team" for a small, home-based business, and you may simply need to
take advantage of those skills. If you are a "one person shop", think about ways to make ENERGY STAR a
part of your team by using free ENERGY STAR technical trainings, materials, and resources.
Appoint an Energy Team Leader
Appointing an Energy Team Leader is a critical component
of successful energy programs. The Energy Team Leader
helps an organization achieve its goals by establishing
energy performance as a core value. Specifically, the
Energy Team Leader helps set goals, tracks progress, and
promotes the energy management program.
The Energy Team Leader is not always an expert in energy,
water, or technical systems. However, this person should
understand (or be willing to learn) how energy
management helps the organization achieve its financial
and environmental goals and objectives. Depending on the
size of your business, this role can be a full-time position or
an addition to other responsibilities. The Leader's key
duties often include:
• Coordinating and directing the overall energy program
• Acting as the point of contact for senior management
• Increasing the visibility of energy management within
the organization
• Drafting an Energy Policy
• Assessing the potential value of improved energy
management
• Creating and leading the Energy Team
• Securing sufficient resources to implement strategic energy management
• Assuring accountability and commitment from core parts of the organization
• Identifying opportunities for improvement and ensuring implementation (including staff training)
• Measuring, tracking, evaluating, and communicating results
• Obtaining recognition for achievements.
Establish an Energy Team
People make decisions every day that affect energy use. The Energy Team executes energy management
activities across different parts of your business, and ensures integration with your business operations.
In addition to planning and implementing specific projects, the team measures and tracks energy
performance and communicates with management, employees, and other stakeholders.
AutoFair Companies, Manchester,
N.H.:A Comprehensive Energy
Program
AutoFair Companies, an
automobile dealership group with
four dealerships in New
Hampshire, took the ENERGY
STAR Challenge to reduce energy
usage by ten percent annually.
Their energy-efficiency program
has continued to evolve and is
overseen by the company's Green
Committee which consists of
representatives from each facility
as well as the corporate CEO and
CFO. Monthly meetings include
project discussions, research
review, vendor presentations, and
review of cost-benefit analysis for
all suggested projects. The result is
a steady flow of projects that meet
criteria for sustainable operation as
well as for affordability and return-
on-investment. All employees are
invited to participate in the Green
Committee's suggestion process.
Learn more at
www, eneravstar. gov/smallbiz
5
-------
ENERGY STAR® Action Workbook for Small Business
Depending on the size of your business, consider including a representative from each operational area
that significantly affects energy use or that highlights your business, such as Engineering, Information
Technology (IT), Purchasing, Operations and Maintenance, Building/Facilities Management,
Environmental Health and Safety, Construction Management, Contractors and Suppliers, and Marketing
and Publicity.
1.3 Institute an Energy Policy
An Energy Policy provides the foundation for a successful program by setting performance goals and
integrating energy management. It formalizes management support and articulates the organization's
commitment to energy efficiency for employees, the community, and other stakeholders. Your Energy
Policy should include:
• An objective. State a clear and measurable objective that reflects your business' commitment,
culture, and priorities.
• A chain-of-command. Establish accountability and define roles in the organization; this will provide
the authority for personnel to implement the energy management plan.
• Provisions for evaluating and updating the policy. Ensure continuous improvement and reflect
changing needs and priorities.
• Performance goals. Provide a context for setting goals by linking energy goals to overall financial
and environmental goals of the organization.
1.4 Review - Make a Commitment
Step 1 gave you the tools you need to begin your energy efficiency program. You learned how this
program will benefit your business; you learned how to create an energy team; and you learned how to
institute an energy policy. Now it's time for you to turn your knowledge into action. Use the review
steps below to measure your progress towards completing Step 1.
1. Join the ENERGY STAR Small Business Network at www.energystar.gov/ioinbuildings. This simple
action takes a few minutes and sets you on your way, with no obligation or cost. ENERGY STAR Small
Business Network participants are plugged into the latest information on energy efficiency and have
access to free technical support, case studies, tools, and public recognition of success.
2. Form your energy team: To establish your energy program, form a dedicated energy team that
includes an Energy Team Leader; if you are a one person team then identify a planned time period
each month to work on efficiency upgrades.
3. Institute an energy policy: Involve key people in policy development to formalize management
support and articulate your business' commitment to energy efficiency that is understandable to
employees and public alike.
6
-------
ENERGY STAR® Action Workbook for Small Business
Step 2. Assess Performance
2.1 Baseline, Benchmark, and Start Saving NOW
According to the Census Bureau, the smaller a company is, the more it pays per employee in utility costs.
Understanding how your property is currently using energy will help determine where to focus your
team's efforts. Think about your property. Do you know the last time routine maintenance was
performed on your Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system? Do employees always turn
off lights and equipment that are not in use? The answers to questions such as these should start to give
you an idea of places where energy consumption can be reduced.
You have to begin somewhere. Your starting point is called a "baseline" of energy performance—a point
from which to calculate improvements in your company's operations. Once you have established this
baseline, you can "benchmark" your facility; put simply, benchmarking is the process of comparing your
energy performance to something similar. "Something similar" might be internal, such as energy
performance at the same time last year. Or it might be external, such as performance compared to
similar facilities elsewhere. You can use the free ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager® tool at
www.energystar.gov/benchmark to baseline energy and water consumption, as well as GHG emissions.
You can also use it to benchmark the performance of one property or a whole portfolio of properties, all
in a secure online environment. Step 2 will show you:
• How to create your energy performance baseline through ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager
• Why "benchmarking" is important
• The benefits of a technical walkthrough
• When to consider an energy audit.
2.2 Gather and Track Data (Baseline)
Your baseline provides a starting point from which your core team can plan, manage, and track
improvement projects toward success. If you take one message from this section, remember: You can't
manage what you don't measure.
Using Portfolio Manager, you can not only
calculate your property's baseline energy
consumption, you can also track your
property's energy and water use over
time, and set goals for the future. Armed with this information, you will be able to help your business
make informed decisions on energy-efficient investments and track your progress.
By entering details about the property and consumption data for energy and water you can:
ENERGYSTAR
ENERGY STAR
i®
®
PortfolioManager
7
-------
ENERGY STAR® Action Workbook for Small Business
• Assess whole building energy performance
• Track changes in energy, water, GHG emissions, and energy
costs over time
• Track green power purchases
• Create custom project reports
• Share data with others.
Using Portfolio Manager
The following two steps show you how to set up your Portfolio
Manager account. Refer to Appendix A: Benchmarking your
Property in Portfolio Manager, for basic instructions on how to
create an account and enter your data. For more detailed
information, you can attend online Portfolio Manager training.
Visit www.energystar.gov/buildings/training to sign up. As a
new feature, ENERGY STAR has Express Videos which show
users how to create a property, add meter data, share building
data, and generate reports in five minute animated
demonstrations. Access the videos at
http://www.energystar.gov/buildings/training/express-videos.
Step 1 - Gather Data about Your Property
In order to create your baseline, you will need to gather information about your property and its energy
and water consumption. A years' worth of utility data will constitute your "baseline." A data collection
worksheet to walk you through entering your property information into Portfolio Manager is provided in
Appendix A: Benchmarking your Property in Portfolio Manager. A completed data collection worksheet
will ensure that you have all your information at hand when you set up your Portfolio Manager account.
It is a good idea to be clear about who will take the lead in setting up and managing the Portfolio
Manager account and the associated data entry.
Step 2 - Set Up your Portfolio Manager Account
Appendix A: Benchmarking your Property in Portfolio Manager, provides step-by-step instructions to
create a Portfolio Manager account. Once you have established an account and entered the information
from your data collection worksheet, you will be able to generate custom reports, charts, and data sets
that will help you analyze your property's energy and water consumption.
2.3 Analyze Data (Benchmark)
Analyzing data to determine energy and water use trends can help you gain a better understanding of
the factors that affect energy and water performance, as well as identify steps you can take for reducing
consumption. Meter data in your Portfolio Manager account can be updated every month; maintaining
that data regularly ensures that progress reports remain current and relevant. Additionally, you can view
your property performance results, including annual energy use, environmental performance, financial
Helping to Benchmark and Offer
Support: BartiettArea Chamber of
Commerce TGZ, Bart/eft, Tenn.
What is TGZ? Team Green Zone
(TGZ) is a project of the Bartiett
Area Chamber of Commerce. TGZ
helps local businesses become
more energy efficient working with
them to create an energy baseline
through entering their data into
Portfolio Manager. Once a property
has a baseline, TGZ sets goals
and implements measures to
decrease operational costs and
increase energy efficiency. TGZ
works with each client to create an
action plan and helps them choose
a contractor to perform the
upgrades, if necessary. Learn
more at
www, eneravstar. gov/smallbiz.
8
-------
ENERGY STAR® Action Workbook for Small Business
performance, GHG emissions, and water use (if you have included your water utility data). You can also
compare performance during two different time periods.
To benchmark your property, Portfolio Manager: 1)
performs calculations with your utility data; 2) adjusts for
the weather in your zip code; and 3) includes specifics
about the property systems, equipment, size, and use. In
addition to displaying your property's performance results
online, Portfolio Manager can adapt the data from your
portfolio into a ready-made or custom report. These
reports will be useful for presenting project results to your
staff and customers, demonstrating the business' history of
sustainability to potential lenders, or sharing your success
with the community. These reports can also help prepare
you for setting program and savings goals in Step 3.
Depending on your property type, you may be eligible to
receive an ENERGY STAR score—and those properties that
score at least a 75 on the 1 - 100 ENERGY STAR score are
eligible for ENERGY STAR Certification; read more at
www.energystar.gov/buildingcertification. The ENERGY STAR score generated by Portfolio Manager
shows you the energy efficiency of your property compared to your peers nationwide. You can then use
this score to set goals for your property's energy efficiency, and work toward receiving recognition for
improvements by qualifying for ENERGY STAR certification. Earning the ENERGY STAR indicates that your
property is among the most efficient of its type in the U.S.
However, even if your property type is not eligible at this time to receive the ENERGY STAR, you can
realize and accurately track significant savings using Portfolio Manager. For example, just achieving a
20% improvement can provide substantial savings. EPA prepared the DataTrends series to examine
energy and water benchmarking trends for the thousands of buildings in Portfolio Manager. The results
of this diverse sample of buildings offer insights into the key drivers of energy use and the savings
potential of benchmarking. In particular, EPA found that buildings that consistently benchmark energy
use save an average of 2.4 percent per year.
The DataTrends Series includes a broad overview of energy use benchmarking in Portfolio Manager,
highlighting general trends observed in the data, as well as more detailed looks into the benchmarking
data for several types of buildings.
2.4 Conduct a Technical Walkthrough and Implement Sure Energy
Savers
Now that you have a better understanding of your energy use, it's time to walk through your property.
There are many reliable, low-risk actions that your team and employees can take (Sure Energy Savers),
most of which are low- and no-cost. You may be concerned that new, energy efficient technologies
Cormack Construction Management
(CCM), N.H.: Big Savings with Small
Changes
When CCM Environmental Coordinator
Colleen Cormack analyzed CCM's
space for energy efficiency
opportunities, she found an obvious
first step-lighting. The lights were
turned on in all areas of the wood shop
when the first employee arrived and left
on until the last employee left for the
day. CCM management upgraded light
bulbs and changed lighting use by
installing CFLs and reducing demand;
this simple step yielded great results: a
44% reduction in electrical usage at the
wood shop. Learn more at
www, eneravstar. gov/smallbiz
9
-------
ENERGY STAR® Action Workbook for Small Business
won't work as well as old ones, or that they will affect customer satisfaction. There may be competing
priorities, such as investing in costly high-profile improvements before low-cost/no-cost improvements.
The appropriate sizing (and therefore the cost) of heating/air-conditioning or the payback on new
windows, are all highly dependent on the baseline level of efficiency. This section includes the following
subsections that describe the types of Sure Energy Savers you may consider for your property:
Lighting
Windows and Walls (Building Envelope)
Office Equipment
Kitchen and Food Service Equipment
HVAC
Water
Although most of the recommendations presented in in this section are low- or no-cost, some may
require additional analysis to determine if they make financial sense for your business. You may
consider obtaining a professional energy audit to identify further areas that can be improved.
The type of business you run will dictate what equipment and appliances you use most and how much
energy you use. Figure 2, below, illustrates the differing energy demands of small businesses. This chart
is based on Energy Use Intensity (EUI) of some common small business types. As you can see, the EUI is
highest for those properties that rely on equipment for food service.
1200
1000
(N
£
3
800
00
5
600
£¦ x
o>
Property Type
148
&
130
114
vj
.cr
Figure 2. The Different Energy Demands of Small Business Types; Data from Commercial Building Energy Use
Survey (CBECS 2013) at:
https://portfoliomanaqer. enerqystar. gov/ pelf/reference/US%20National%20Median%20Table.Ddf?cf85-6206
10
-------
ENERGY STAR® Action Workbook for Small Business
Sure Energy Savers: Lighting
Some small businesses—such as retail stores and offices—rely
heavily on lighting, which may be your business' largest energy
expenditure. In today's market, new energy-efficient, long-life
bulbs offer a large number of features at affordable prices. This
diversity provides multiple options for currently installed
lighting equipment; replacement of outdated bulbs represents
energy saving opportunities. You can achieve energy savings in
your lighting system through two main pathways—installing
more efficient equipment (bulbs and/or fixtures), and changing
the way you operate lighting. Appendix B.l: Lighting, provides
more information on specific activities. Basic guidelines to
follow include:
• Turn off lights (and other equipment) when not in use
• Ensure that appropriate lighting levels are maintained. Too
much light can be as bad as too little
• Replace incandescent bulbs with ENERGY STAR certified
CFLs or LEDs
• Upgrade older T12 fluorescent bulbs with magnetic ballasts
to more efficient T8 or T5 fluorescent bulbs with solid-state
electronic ballasts
• Install LED exit signs
• Install occupancy/vacancy sensors
• Install daylight-responsive lighting controls.
Sure Energy Savers: Windows and Walls (Building Envelope)
Your property's building "envelope" or "shell" includes windows, walls, roof, and insulation. Addressing
leaks that allow unwanted air infiltration into the building envelope can often eliminate a major energy
drain. Outside air can enter a building through a variety of places, most commonly the windows, doors
(for example, for automobile dealerships, air infiltration through open bay doors is a large concern; see
Appendix G for more information), walls, and roof. At the same time, cooled or heated air will be lost.
Outside fresh air can be good, but only as controlled ventilation, not as accidental infiltration.
Investigate the following options to improve your building envelope then see Appendix B.2: Building
Envelope Assessment Guidance, for more information.
• Plug air leaks
• Replace windows and window shadings
• Minimize unconditioned air flow through doors and windows.
Full Spectrum Solan Madison,
Wis.: Using energy efficient and
solar technology to create a zero-
energy-cost facility
In addition to operating a zero-
energy-cost facility through the use
of soiar panels, Full Spectrum
Solar, a contracting office and
warehouse, achieved an ENERGY
STAR score of 100 by reducing
their energy use through building
envelope redesign, updating all the
mechanical systems in the
building, and careful use of energy
throughout. The building
incorporates daylighting to reduce
the need for artificial lights; during
the extensive renovations they
constructed well-insulated walls
and ceilings, installed LED lighting,
and high efficiency heating,
ventilation, and air conditioning
equipment-including a boiler for
heating. Learn more at
www, eneravstar. gov/smallbiz
11
-------
ENERGY STAR® Action Workbook for Small Business
Sure Energy Savers: Office Equipment
Office equipment presents an often-overlooked opportunity for significant
energy and cost savings. This includes computers, printers, copiers, televisions,
and even small appliances such as coffee makers. Evaluating your office
equipment use will help your business realize energy and monetary savings.
More information can be found in Appendix B.3: Office Equipment Guidance
and Appendix I: Offices.
ENERGY STAR
• Always buy ENERGY STAR products for your business when new equipment is needed
• Set computer power settings to save energy when not in use
• Replace cathode ray tube (CRT) computer monitors with LED monitors
• Utilize "Smart Power Strips".
Sure Energy Savers: Kitchen and Food Service Equipment
Restaurants use five to seven times more energy per square foot compared to other commercial
buildings, such as office buildings and retail stores. High-volume quick-service restaurants may even use
up to ten times more energy per square foot than other commercial buildings, so efficient food service
equipment and good management practice are crucial to savings. Many other types of small businesses
have kitchen areas where staff can prepare coffee, lunch, snacks, or dinner. Microwave ovens, coffee
machines, stoves, and refrigerators are common in these areas and are important to consider when
looking at overall energy use. See Appendix B.4: Kitchen and Food Service Equipment, for more
information on general food service equipment, and Appendix Ffor equipment specific to restaurants.
• Purchase ENERGY STAR certified commercial food service
equipment
• Check refrigerators for leaks and to see if a newer, more
efficient model is available
• Have walk-in refrigeration systems serviced at least annually
• Use multiple refrigerators only when necessary
• Always buy ENERGY STAR certified vending machines and
water coolers
• Turn off appliances (such as the coffee maker) when not in
use.
Sure Energy Savers: HVAC
HVAC systems represent a significant portion of the utility bills
for small businesses; in fact, small- and medium-sized businesses
(depending on the type) typically spend the bulk of their energy
budget on HVAC. It is important to control and monitor your
energy use in order to reach optimal energy efficiency, and
Chariestown Wine and Spirits,
Chariestown, R.I.: internal and
External Efficiencies
Chariestown Wine and Spirits has a
building envelope made of Climate-
Block expanded polystyrene panels
that eliminate thermal bridging and
installed a geothermal system to
heat and cooi the store-including
beer coolers-by using the earth as
its principle energy source. In
addition to the building innovations,
they ha ve included non-in vasive
native landscaping, permeable
paving stones, and dark-sky
compliant lighting to contribute to
low-impact development outdoors
at their property. Learn more at
www, eneravstar. gov/smallbiz
12
-------
ENERGY STAR® Action Workbook for Small Business
therefore maximum savings. Review the following items to consider each HVAC suggestion as it may
apply to your property, then see Appendix B.5: Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC), for
more information.
• Keep windows and exterior doors closed while running the HVAC
• Install a programmable thermostat to control the HVAC system
• Check the accuracy of the thermostats
• Change the filters monthly during "high use" seasons
• Clean heating and cooling coils twice a year
• Clear any clutter that is blocking vents or air intakes
• Use fans when a room/area is occupied
• Tune-up the HVAC system with an annual maintenance contract.
Sure Energy Savers: Water—Hot and Cold
Recall that energy and water efficiency are closely tied
together. In most cases, electricity or natural gas is used to
heat water, and this costs money. The more hot water your
business consumes, the more it will save from optimizing
water use. Additionally, treating and pumping water and
wastewater may well be the number one use of electricity by
your municipality. You can save water, energy, and money
with the EPA's WaterSense program. The EPA created WaterSense to help American consumers and
businesses use water more efficiently. Reducing water use lowers the costs associated with operating
and maintaining equipment, as well as the energy needed to heat, treat, store, and deliver water
throughout the property. WaterSense promotes water-efficient products and practices to help
commercial and institutional facilities save water, energy, and operating costs. More information on the
recommended actions below is available at http://www.epa.gov/watersense and in Appendix B.6:
WaterSense and Water Guidance.
• Conduct a water assessment to identify major water uses within the property
• Find and fix leaks
• Insulate water heaters
• Purchase WaterSense certified products when replacing fixtures such as faucets, showerheads,
toilets, and urinals
• Purchase an ENERGY STAR certified water heater when buying a new water heater
• Set water temperature only as hot as needed
• Optimize the amount of water used in heating and cooling systems
• Practice water-efficient landscaping.
EPA
Water Sense
13
-------
ENERGY STAR® Action Workbook for Small Business
2.5 Consider an Audit
After you and your team have gone through the Sure Energy Savers described in Section 2.4, an energy
(and water) audit can help identify additional specific areas for improvement. An audit is basically a
survey of your property's energy use and is typically conducted by a professional. It takes into account
specific energy consuming items, rates of energy consumption, and energy costs. For more information
on energy audits, including the types of audits available, how to decide when one may be needed, and
information on managing the process, see Appendix C: Energy Audits and Professional Assistance.
There are different types of audits that can highlight energy use at your property in different levels of
detail, from "walkthrough" to "investment grade". Depending on your business' expertise and the level
of detail you would like to have done, your current staff or a member of your core energy team could
perform an audit. In other cases, your business may need to hire a professional auditor. Usually
professional audits make sense for larger properties with longer operating hours and more complex
systems. For larger or more complex properties, an audit can identify ways to enhance the energy
efficiency of current equipment, in addition to technically viable and cost effective investment projects
that will reduce property energy use and operating costs.
Ask your utility and your state energy office if they offer free or low cost energy audits, financial
incentives, or other technical support. See if there is an ENERGY STAR Service and Product Provider (SPP)
in your area by visiting the ENERGY STAR SPP Directory at www.energystar.gov/sppmostactive. If your
business belongs to a professional organization, contact them as well to see if they have a
recommended list of auditors who have expertise with your property type. You may also have skilled or
professional members of your business who can help with the audit, and may be willing to do it free of
charge. Some things to consider when looking at an audit include:
• Sometimes the full cost of a professional investment grade audit will be free if you agree to
implement the auditor's recommendations
• Another variation is called shared savings, in which there is no initial cost with the new equipment
paid at a pre-agreed rate from monthly savings
• If affordable professional services are not available, you can still achieve big savings with free
ENERGY STAR tools, training, and technical support.
14
-------
ENERGY STAR® Action Workbook for Small Business
2.6 Review - Assess Performance
Step 2 gave you the tools and ideas you need to assess your property's energy performance. You
learned how to benchmark your property's energy and water consumption using the ENERGY STAR
Portfolio Manager tool, and walk through your property to identify Sure Energy Savers. You can use the
review list below to measure your progress towards completing Step 2.
1. Gather and track data: Use Portfolio Manager to baseline your business' energy and water
consumption by entering a year's worth of utility data. Get started at
www.energystar.gov/benchmark
2. Analyze your data: Accurately assess your property's current energy and water use, track it over
time, and compare your energy consumption to that of like facilities with Portfolio Manager.
3. Conduct a walk through survey: Walk through your property to identify and implement Sure Energy
Savers.
4. Consider an audit: Determine whether or not a professional audit would be beneficial, and if so,
choose the type of audit you'd like and find funding to cover its expense.
15
-------
ENERGY STAR® Action Workbook for Small Business
Step 3. Set Goals
By this point you've created an energy team, become more familiar with your property's energy
consumption, and established an energy benchmark using Portfolio Manager. Now it's time to evaluate
your priorities and set goals. For a small business, performance goals are critical for understanding
intended results, developing effective strategies, and reaping financial gains.
When setting goals, it is important to start by identifying the scope of the goal, especially to determine if
it is organization-wide or specific to one aspect of the property. Your team should look at short and long
term goals to see what work is most feasible at different time periods. Communicating and posting goals
can also motivate the efforts of staff throughout your business.
Step 3 will walk you through:
• How to identify the scope of your energy program goals
• The steps of setting goals
• How to prioritize goals.
3.1 Determine the Scope of Your Goals
Determining the scope of your business' goals should take into account the size of your organization—as
well as the various time periods necessary for the completion of each goal. For most small businesses,
the goals will focus on a single property; you can even set goals for a section of the property if that
provides a better fit. What is most important is that the goals you set match your needs.
Some helpful methods to determine the savings potential associated with a particular goal may include:
• Benchmarking. Benchmark the energy use of your property to provide a yard stick for evaluating
opportunity when enough data is available to show trends in energy use—this can be of use for both
short-term and longer-term goals. The Portfolio Manager tool includes sections specifically for
planning and goal setting to help.
• Evaluating past projects and best practices. Evaluate your business' past projects and best practices
over time to see what works for your property and organizational culture.
• Reviewing technical assessments and audits (if applicable). Identify the opportunities to reduce
energy use identified during walkthroughs and audits of your property to serve as a basis for
potential improvement.
• Comparing goals of similar small businesses. Review performance goals of other businesses. This
can help to guide and inform you of the potential for your own business. If you have colleagues who
are undertaking similar work, see if they will share their goals and any lessons learned from their
own projects. Your utility may be able to provide you with case studies as well.
16
-------
ENERGY STAR® Action Workbook for Small Business
• Ask your peers. Reach out to your colleagues at the Chamber of Commerce, business franchisees, or
at business and professional meetings to see if they have experience to share.
3.2 Set Goals
Once your energy team has set the scope of your goals and estimated the potential for improvement,
you can put them into writing. Some examples of specific energy efficiency goals include:
• Defined energy use reduction. Goals are presented in terms of a specific quantity or percentage
decrease in energy use, such as a 10 percent reduction as measured by Portfolio Manager.
• Cost reduction. A savings of a certain percentage on utility bills. Note that this goal is easier to
measure on an annual basis due to changing energy use over the course of the year. Portfolio
Manager uses weather-normalized data which ensures accurate reports.
• Increased staff and customer awareness of energy efficiency. This can be through educational
campaigns within your business or marketing to your customers.
3.3 Prioritize Your Goals
Once your team has set its goals, you will need to prioritize them. You should include the managers and
staff at your business throughout this process to evaluate how well the proposed project aligns with
your business' priorities, and how far it moves the team toward accomplishing its goals. Prioritizing your
energy efficiency goals can also help your team determine what may be feasibly accomplished in a
specific time period—such as over the next year versus over the next five years.
Another important thing to consider when setting goals is cost. ENERGY STAR can help guide your
financial decisions about energy efficiency, calculate the cost of delay, and meet your energy
performance goals through the Cash Flow Opportunity (CFO) Calculator at
www.energystar.gov/cashflow. ENERGY STAR also has online savings calculators for ENERGY STAR
certified products at www.energystar.gov/purchasing.
17
-------
ENERGY STAR® Action Workbook for Small Business
3.4 Review - Set Goals
Step 3 walked you through the process of setting goals for your program prior to creating an action plan.
These goals will be overall markers for achievement and by setting an action plan in the next step, you
can choose specific projects to support these goals. You can use the review list below to measure your
progress towards completing Step 3.
1. Determine scope: Your energy team can consider the scope of overall program goals you would like
to set. It is important for your team to sit down with other decision makers and evaluate how well
the goals align with your business' priorities.
2. Set goals: Work within your business to determine which goals will best meet its energy efficiency
needs in the near term.
3. Prioritize project goals: Rank which goals are most important for initial implementation compared
to potentially longer term goals.
4. Think big: Consider an "aspirational goal" such as being able to communicate a message to
customers a year from now: Doing our part for environmental protection through 25% energy
reductions and emissions savings.
18
-------
ENERGY STAR® Action Workbook for Small Business
Step 4. Create an Action Plan
Once your team has assessed the current energy use of your property by benchmarking in Portfolio
Manager, walked through the building and implemented Sure Energy Savers, and has set longer term
goals for improved efficiency, it is time to create an action plan to help you meet your program goals.
This plan should outline selected projects and activities ready for implementation. Be sure to update
your action plan regularly to highlight achievements, changes to the property, and/or shifting priorities
and goals.
Include the different sectors of your business when creating this plan to take all perspectives into
account. This will help with employee buy-in and most likely improve the implementation process if your
staff has played a role in plan development. If you have a home-based business with no employees,
focus on the technical and resource aspects of plan creation rather than the roles and responsibilities.
Alternatively, projects at larger businesses may require a clear definition of roles and responsibilities
across different business groups.
Step 4 defines the three key activities in creating an action plan:
• How to define projects
• What to consider when you determine roles and resources
• How to find funding for planned work
4.1 Define Projects and Timelines for Implementation
Based on the work accomplished in Steps 1-3, you should have a fairly clear picture of the energy use
and requirements of your property. You know which systems or appliances are in good condition and
which may need replacement soon. Choosing projects and defining the steps to accomplish them will
help you put into writing what needs to be done. First, look at reports from Portfolio Manager or any
audits and see how your energy baseline compares with the goals you have set for your property. Based
on the gaps between your goals and your current situation, you can then identify what you need to do
to meet your goals. This may be as easy as switching from incandescent light bulbs to CFLs or LEDs, or a
more complex project like replacing your heating system.
Once the steps for each project have been defined, you can now set timelines for project
implementation. Creating concrete timelines (sometimes referred to as targets) allows you to have a
clear idea of when you have accomplished a specific section of the action plan. The timelines should
include specific milestones so it is clear when certain projects need to be complete. Establishing a
tracking system to monitor the progress of your projects helps you meet your targets in a transparent
manner.
19
-------
ENERGY STAR® Action Workbook for Small Business
4.2 Determine Roles and Responsibilities
For larger teams, you'll want to ensure that everyone is clear on what aspects of the action plan they
should focus on and at what level. Depending on the size and structure of your business, your action
plan may involve the Facility/Operations Manager, the Maintenance Department, Human Resources, IT,
Purchasing, the Marketing/Communications Manager and/or the landlord, to ensure all sectors of your
property and business are covered. For example, the Maintenance Department can provide information
on the physical structure and appliances, while the Communications Manager can assist with a roll-out
plan to inform your customers and staff of the work you are doing.
If you have a smaller business, your action plan implementation team may be just you and one other
employee, or you alone. It is important to identify which steps of the action plan you implement
internally and for which you will need external help—such as contractors, consultants, utility
representative, etc.
4.3 Determine Resources and Find Funds
After you and your energy team determine which projects to
undertake in the action plan and the order in which to
implement them, you can estimate the cost for each item
(both in terms of capital outlay as well as human resources),
and then look at how best to fund those projects. This is a key
component of any energy action plan. Knowing what funding
is currently on hand, what could be raised quickly, and what
could potentially be found elsewhere is important when
deciding which projects are feasible and when to do them. It
is a good practice to look at how funding availability fits into
your business' overall property management plan.
If your team is focusing on smaller scale energy efficiency
upgrades, you may be able to use funding from the general
operations and maintenance budget, from funds already
saved through efficiency, or from small fundraising projects.
For projects that may require a larger investment, there are
many traditional and nontraditional financial resources
available. It is important for your team's financial
representative to look closely at the best investments for your
business over time. For more information on the different
ways to finance upgrades, see Appendix D: Project Financing.
Winneshiek Energy District, Iowa:
Providing Audits and Cost Sharing
for Improvement in Energy Use
The Winneshiek Energy District in
NE iowa was formed to create a
locally-led energy delivery system
that helps and inspires people to
make easy, cost-effective
behavioral changes. The aim of the
District is to reduce greenhouse
gases, improve local economies,
and create sustainable energy
societies.
Founded in 2010, the Winneshiek
Energy District provides in-depth
audits to businesses and homes
and then performs extensive follow-
through and cost-share for making
energy improvements. They also
use ENERGY STAR tools such as
Portfolio Manager to track energy
use and publications to educate
constituents. Learn more at
www, eneravstar. gov/smallbiz
20
-------
ENERGY STAR® Action Workbook for Small Business
4.4 Review - Create an Action Plan
Step 4 gave you information to help you complete the tasks below—use this list to measure your
progress towards completing Step 4.
1. Define technical steps and targets: Based on your energy assessments, select projects to meet
program goals and set targets for completion.
2. Determine roles and responsibilities: Once your targets are set, identify who is responsible for
implementation for those projects.
3. Determine if projects require funding and how best to secure it: Cost-effective funding is key to a
good return-on-investment. Savings from Sure Energy Savers may fund some projects, while others
may require more significant capital investment.
21
-------
ENERGY STAR® Action Workbook for Small Business
Step 5. Implement the Action Plan
Having a regularly updated plan in place to manage your projects and track their progress will help your
team stay organized. In your tracking system, you should record not only the human, financial, and
physical resources committed to projects that are currently being implemented, but also routine
maintenance activities for existing infrastructure. Keeping track of what's happening with both new and
existing infrastructure and equipment will ensure that your business gets the most value out of the
resources you have invested in your property.
The size and complexity of the energy efficiency projects your business undertakes will most likely be
the main factor in deciding who will manage the project implementation. For something as simple as
replacing HVAC filters or replacing incandescent lamps with CFLs or LEDs, members of your team could
complete the work. Depending on the skills of your team members, 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, however, such as designing and replacing your property's entire lighting
system, will most likely require the help of someone who has experience managing that type of project,
such as an energy services company (ESCO) or a private energy contractor. In these cases, your team
should keep a record of the contractor's progress, and periodically review how their progress compares
to the tentative schedule in the contract. For more information on working with contractors, see
Appendix E.
Step 5 will explain:
• How to create a communications plan
• Why you should raise awareness of your Action Plan
• How to effectively manage projects and keep them on time and on budget.
5.1 Create a Communication Plan
Although your team may be all set to move forward with project implementation, it is important to
create awareness, educate, and motivate your staff regarding energy efficiency and the benefits of the
proposed projects. This will help them understand the goals of each project and give them advance
notice of possible changes to the property. The communications plan does not need to be complex—it
could even be a one page plan—but should keep everyone in your business up to date on what the team
has done, where projects currently stand, and what still needs to be accomplished. It is helpful to
provide timelines and other visual highlights of project milestones, planned deliverables, and progress.
ENERGY STAR has a Communications Toolkit at www.energystar.gov/communicate with many resources
that can help you create and implement a communication plan. Ultimately you will have verified
achievements to use for "green marketing" to your customers.
22
-------
ENERGY STAR® Action Workbook for Small Business
5.2 Raise Awareness of the Action Plan
The implementation of energy efficient practices and policies
should involve individuals at all levels of your business.
Effective programs make employees, managers, and other key
stakeholders aware of energy performance goals, the projects
undertaken to reach those goals, as well as roles in project
implementation.
Making people aware of how their everyday actions and
activities at home and at work affect energy use and impact
the environment is a key step to implementing your action
plan. Increasing overall awareness can be an effective way to
gain greater support for your business' energy program and its
goals. Additionally, staff members or even managers at your
business may have a limited understanding of energy
performance and its impact on the organization and
environment. Targeted efforts designed to increase awareness
of program goals can help build support for each energy efficiency project. It is important to keep key
stakeholders updated on progress by sharing Portfolio Manager reports as appropriate, providing
general education on energy generation and use, and highlighting which equipment at your property
uses the largest amount of energy. Staff members who are not directly involved with the costs of their
business' energy performance may not be aware of how energy use affects the bottom line. Making
managers aware of these impacts is a key way to build support for your program.
By investing time in ENERGY STAR free training and educational content, and promoting energy
efficiency, you can better implement your action plan to increase your overall organizational capacity.
Many businesses find that informed employees are more likely to contribute ideas, operate equipment
properly, and follow procedures, helping to guarantee that capital investments in energy improvements
will realize their potential.
5.3 Manage the Plan—Implement Energy Efficiency Projects
If you or other members of your business are implementing the projects to meet defined goals, your
management of those tasks will consist of recording resources and deadlines, as opposed to micro-
managing the project as a whole. Some projects may be grouped together to make them easier to
accomplish, while others may be larger stand-alone work. To best manage the project(s), make sure you
keep track of:
• Who is responsible for implementing each project
• Where (and in how many places) on your property the project upgrades should be implemented
• What your energy use benchmark was pre-project and how it has improved by using the ENERGY
STAR Portfolio Manager tool to create a pre-upgrade baseline
The Lennox Hotel, Boston Mass;
Achieving Significant Energy
Reductions through Working with
Staff
This EN ERG Y STAR labeled city
center hotel is recognized as an
industry leader with comprehensive
en vironmentai initiatives. To
undertake this work, the hotel
employs an Environmental
Coordinator who is extensively
educated on environmental issues
and works with managers and
employees to ensure that their daily
business practices are as efficient
as possible, Learn more at
www, eneravstar. gov/smallbiz
23
-------
ENERGY STAR® Action Workbook for Small Business
• What financial resources are devoted to each project and how they are being spent
• When the project will be completed
• How to best motivate your staff to initially engage them and keep them involved throughout the
project(s). This can be internal competitions, recognition, financial bonuses/prizes, or overall
messaging on the financial and environmental benefits of this work.
Where you choose to store this information is up to you and your team; however, you should make sure
that the project records are kept together to avoid fragmenting your knowledge of the progress made in
your property's energy efficiency improvements.
As you continue to invest in energy efficient projects, the maintenance required at your business'
property will also continue. All equipment—even new energy efficient equipment—will need regular
maintenance to perform at peak levels and to achieve optimal equipment life. Managing your property's
maintenance is an important part of making sure that the project upgrades continue to benefit the
property. Keep consolidated and well organized records of the maintenance tasks for your property, the
dates by which they must be performed, and verification that they were performed by those dates.
5.4 Review - Implement the Action Plan
In Step 5 you focused on implementing the action plan—both by selecting projects to meet energy
efficiency goals and by communicating the work to your staff. Use the checklist below to measure your
progress towards completing Step 5.
1. Create a communication plan: Use freely available ENERGY STAR information, tools, calculators, and
materials to enhance your ability to "do it yourself" using onsite time and talents, and to help the
staff understand when professional assistance is necessary.
2. Raise awareness of the action plan: Educate your staff on energy efficiency measures and practices
for your property.
3. Manage your action plan: Establish a consistent method for tracking the progress of your projects
and maintenance tasks.
24
-------
ENERGY STAR® Action Workbook for Small Business
Step 6. Evaluate Progress
After you have implemented projects, it is important to evaluate the progress of those individual
projects through a formal review of both energy use data and the activities carried out as they compare
to your performance goals. Monitoring progress can help your business look toward the future and
create new action plans, evaluate which elements of your action plan worked and which didn't, and set
new performance goals for your program. Custom reporting features in Portfolio Manager can help
monitor progress of projects and goals, provide a clear picture of where your property is in relation to
those goals, and set new performance goals.
Step 6 describes:
• How to track your progress
• Why and how to measure the results of your work
• When to review and modify your Action Plan.
6.1 Continue to Track Progress
It is good practice to continuously assess performance as your property implements energy efficiency
projects. Update Portfolio Manager each month to track how your property's energy and water
consumption has changed over time, how much money the business has saved and, correspondingly,
how much GHG emissions have been reduced. Has your business met program goals? In addition, talk to
your staff and customers about energy issues to see if they have noticed any changes in comfort,
aesthetics, or usability experienced as a result of project upgrades and see what feedback and ideas
they may have for future projects. This can also help highlight which projects provided the biggest
impact not only on your bottom line, but also for employee and customer satisfaction.
6.2 Measure Results and Verify Savings
As you implement each project in your action plan, it is good practice to incorporate a means to
measure and verify the energy savings that result. Once a project is complete, your team can do the
measurement and verification, which includes a formal review of energy use data and the activities
carried out to implement the project. Did projects help meet program goals? The results of this analysis
will provide feedback on how new equipment is operating, the return on investment, and what new
program goals can be set. The results may also highlight areas where further investment is warranted.
Portfolio Manager is designed to make this type of analysis easy and effective.
25
-------
ENERGY STAR® Action Workbook for Small Business
How to Measure and Verify Savings
To measure how much energy your project has saved, you will need baseline energy consumption pre-
upgrade, which you did when you first entered your data into Portfolio Manager in Step 2: Assess
Performance. Portfolio Manager can run different savings data based on the project information
entered, such as the amount of energy and water saved, reduced GHG emissions, dollars saved, and
others. Your team can also generate a Statement of Energy Performance (SEP) report from the tool at
any time. The SEP report communicates information about your property's energy performance that is
concise and clear.
6.3 Review the Action Plan
After reviewing your results and overall performance data, it is
wise to then look at what factors affected these results and the
effectiveness of your action plan. Which projects were most
successful both in terms of business operations as well as
saving energy? Which ones were poorly received by staff
and/or did not result in measurable savings? Some helpful
steps in reviewing your action plan may include:
• Getting feedback from the energy team, staff, and
customers
• Gauging awareness to assess changes in employee
understanding of energy issues
• Quantifying the side benefits of your work including
increased employee comfort, productivity improvement,
impact on sales, and better public relations.
Taking the time to review the action plan and then taking steps
to improve it can yield strong results for future initiatives at
your property.
The Burlington Banking Center-a
Comprehensive Approach to
Efficiency, Burlington, Mass.
The Burlington Banking Center has
been awarded the ENERGY STAR
for nine years. They ha ve followed
a multi-pronged approach to
optimizing building efficiency.
When the old lighting system was
causing employee complaints
about glare and visual discomfort,
the center installed new fixtures
that both save energy and provide
better lighting. This constant facility
review and feedback combined
with employee education, contests,
and rewards, makes energy
efficiency a key component of each
employee's workday. The result
has been a 19-percent reduction in
energy usage over a 5-year period.
Learn more at
www, eneravstar. gov/smallbiz
26
-------
ENERGY STAR® Action Workbook for Small Business
6.4 Review - Evaluate Progress
In Step 6 you reviewed the importance of project evaluation through tracking progress, measuring and
verifying savings, and reviewing your action plan. It is important to understand the outcome of your
team's labor to ensure that you are making the most of your investment. You can use the checklist
below to measure your progress towards completing Step 6.
1. Track progress: Observe the benefits of your investments. Have discussions with your staff on how
the improvements are affecting property comfort and usability in addition to the savings and
emissions reductions.
2. Measure and verify your savings: Generate reports within Portfolio Manager and use the tool to
assess the effect of the project on your property's energy consumption over time and to help you
plan continuing improvement.
3. Review your action plan: Go through what worked and what didn't work so you can better plan
your next project. Solicit feedback from staff and customers to get a fuller picture of the project.
After your energy team has completed these tasks, you may think you're finished with the process of
improving your property's energy efficiency. Indeed, most of the hard work is done! All that is left to do
is to receive appreciation and recognition for your team's efforts, and encourage others to practice
energy efficiency with your story. Continue on to Step 7: Recognize Achievements, where you will learn
how to share your business' story and gain official recognition for all of your team's hard work.
27
-------
ENERGY STAR® Action Workbook for Small Business
Step 7. Recognize Achievements
Providing and seeking recognition for your achievements sustains momentum and supports your energy
program. Acknowledging the individuals who helped your business achieve results motivates employees
and brings positive exposure to the energy management program. You and everyone who is part of your
success can congratulate each other publically through reciprocal promotion. Recognition from outside
sources validates the importance of your work to both internal and external stakeholders, and provides
positive exposure for the organization as a whole.
Step 7 provides guidance on:
• How to recognize achievements internally
• How to solicit external recognition for your business.
7.1 Provide Internal Recognition
Recognizing the accomplishments of the energy team, as well
as the employees in your organization, sustains momentum for
your energy management program. Rewarding particular
efforts defines what constitutes success and motivates your
employees through increased job satisfaction. In order to
provide recognition, first determine recognition levels, then
establish recognition criteria, and determine recognition type.
Determine Recognition Levels
The decision about who should receive recognition in your
organization will likely be shaped by the purpose for providing
recognition and your organizational culture. Common
recognition levels include:
• Individual. Acknowledge the contributions and
accomplishments of specific people, such as your Energy
Team Leader, or everyone who contributed to your success
• Team. Recognize the achievements of your Energy Team
• Department. If your business owns its own property, you
can reward the performance of a department or an area of
your business.
Establish Recognition Criteria
Create criteria for recognition and communicate these criteria and any process eligibility requirements.
Recognition criteria might include thresholds of achievement such as: 1) offered the best energy savings
ideas; 2) achieved the greatest energy use reduction; and 3) increased savings by a certain amount.
Shari's Cafe and Pies, Pacific NW:
Highlighting Success through
Recognition
Shari's Cafe and Pies is a
restaurant chain in the Pacific NW
that has a number of locations. To
increase participation in their
energy efficiency programs, they
focus on both internal as well as
external recognition. Internally, they
distribute a bimonthly newsletter to
managers and employees
spotlighting locations that exceeded
expectations on energy or water
reduction-and employees can
share success stories. Shari's has
been recognized externally at both
the local and national level for the
energy- and water-efficiency
programs implemented in their
restaurants. They were awarded
the Oregon Sustainabiiity Award for
2013, were named the City of
Richland's 2013 Green Business of
the Year, and the Portland
Business Journal honored Shari's
with the BetterBricksAward-the
first restaurant to win this title.
Learn more at
www, eneravstar. gov/smallbiz
28
-------
ENERGY STAR® Action Workbook for Small Business
Determine Recognition Type
There are a variety of ways to provide recognition and rewards. Forms of recognition can range from
formal acknowledgements and certificates, to salary increases and cash bonuses, to simple forms of
appreciation such as coffee mugs or energy program shirts. You may consider:
• Asking the owner or a senior manager to provide the recognition
• Using a formal means for providing recognition, such as an award ceremony
• Using progress evaluations to inform the recognition process.
7.2 Receive External Recognition
Good work deserves to be acknowledged. Recognition from a third
party provides validation for your business' energy management
program. Not only does it provide satisfaction to those involved in
earning the recognition, but it can also enhance your business'
public image. A solid reputation contributes to your competitive
advantage by making your business more attractive to customers,
current and potential employees, lenders, business partners, and
other stakeholders.
Communicate, communicate, communicate! Others cannot
recognize what they don't know. Tell your success story through
Facebook, YouTube, Twitter/Vine, and other social media. You can
use the ENERGY STAR Resource on Planning a Communications
Strategy and/or the ENERGY STAR Communications Toolkit which
can be found at www.energystar.gov/communicate. The toolkit has
a number of valuable resources to help your business share its work
and results. Additionally, ENERGY STAR posts success stories on its
website that showcase exceptional results and would be pleased to
work with you to share your story. If you are interested in working
on a success story to showcase your business' efforts, you can
contact the ENERGY STAR Team at
energystarsmallbiz(5)energvandsecuritv.com.
Other ways to gain recognition for your business' energy management efforts can include:
Partnership Programs. Participate in established groups, such as government agencies, trade
associations, or regional energy conservation groups to demonstrate commitment to achieve results.
Join the ENERGY STAR Small Business Network at www.energystar.gov/ioinbuildings.
Performance Standards. Meet widely recognized standards of performance, such as those established
by ENERGY STAR, that reflect superior performance.
Super8 Ukiah, Ukiah, Calif.:
Recognition for all-around Waste
Reduction
The Super 8 Ukiah, the only
ENERGY STAR-certified hotel in
Ukiah, focuses on efficient waste
disposal and energy- and water-
saving strategies at their property.
They also use bio-degradabie,
recyclable, and organic products for
as many tasks as possible. For this
and other initiatives, they have
received award recognition
including the "Champion of Green"
award from Wyndham Hotel Group,
the "Award of Excellence" from
Tripadvisor.com, the "Pride of
Super 8 & Spirit of Super 8" from
Super 8 Worldwide, Inc., and the
"Business of the Year Award" from
Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
Learn more at
www, eneravstar. gov/smallbiz
29
-------
ENERGY STAR" Action Workbook for Small Business
• ENERGY STAR Certification for Existing Buildings. Some
facilities as highlighted in Step 2: Assess Performance, are
eligible to receive the ENERGY STAR when the Portfolio
Manager tool scores the energy use of the building at 75 or
higher on EPA's 1 - 100 ENERGY STAR scale. The integrity of
the score is assured by the requirement that all data be
verified by a licensed Professional Engineer or a Registered
Architect. For more information, see
www.energystar.gov/buildingcertification.
• Designed to Earn the ENERGY STAR for New Construction.
Your business may have the opportunity to do-it-right the
first time by insisting on new building design and construction that addresses the costs and
benefits of energy and water efficiency in a business-like bottom-line approach. The incremental
cost of optimal energy and water efficient design, materials, and systems for new construction is
much smaller than having to retrofit poor design and cheaper equipment that costs more to
operate in the long run. EPA works closely with the American Institute of Architects, and with its
participation created online tools to help architects design for optimal energy performance and
long-term cost savings. Based on this partnership, design projects that receive an EPA energy
performance score of 75 or higher from the online Target Finder tool at
www.energystar.gov/targetfinder are eligible for "Designed to Earn the ENERGY STAR"
recognition.
Awards, Challenges, and Competitions Participate in ENERGY STAR Competitions and Challenges to see
how much energy and water your property can save—with opportunities to earn recognition from
ENERGY STAR for your successes.
• ENERGY STAR National Building Competition. Energy managers at commercial buildings in
every state compete to see who can save the most energy and water. Competitors will work off
the waste through improvements in energy and water efficiency and can receive recognition for
achieving specific reductions. More information is available at
www.energvstar.gov/battleofthebuildings.
• ENERGY STAR Challenge for Industry. This challenge is designed to help energy managers and
industrial sites improve energy performance and set goals. Industrial sites participate by
committing to the pre-established goal of reducing energy intensity by 10 percent within 5 years
or less. To learn more about participating, see www.energystar.gov/industrvchallenge.
• ENERGY STAR Guide to Energy Efficiency Competitions. If your business is interested in setting
up or participating in a competition, see the ENERGY STAR Guide to Energy Efficiency
Competitions at www.energystar.gov/competitionguide which can take you step-by-step
through the process.
2014 ENERGY
gertified build!
30
-------
ENERGY STAR® Action Workbook for Small Business
7.3 Review - Recognize Achievements
In Step 7, you looked at different ways to recognize key individuals and the team of people that created
and executed your business' energy management program. You also learned various ways to share your
business' story and solicit external recognition. Use the checklist below to measure your progress
towards completing Step 7.
1. Provide internal recognition: Publically recognize those who made the energy program succeed.
2. Tell your story: Share your team's results with other businesses through traditional and social
media, such as local newspapers, community "bulletin board" websites, Twitter, and Facebook.
3. Contact ENERGY STAR about writing a success story featuring your business: To receive a fill-in
format, or to learn more, contact us at: energvstarsmallbiz@energyandsecuritv.com.
4. Plan an energy efficiency competition in your workplace: Enter a competition that supports a good
cause and inspires excellence. Check out the ENERGY STAR Guide to Energy Efficiency Competitions
guide at: www.energystar.gov/competitionguide. All buildings can participate in EPA's National
Building Competition at www.energystar.gov/battleofthebuildings.
5. Apply for ENERGY STAR certification: More than 85% of American households recognize the
ENERGY STAR. Your community will appreciate your business' contribution to environmental
protection. Go to: http://www.energystar.gov/buildingcertification and learn more about eligibility.
31
-------
ENERGY STAR® Action Workbook for Small Business
Next Steps
Now that you're familiar with the ENERGY STAR Action Workbook, we invite you to explore or download
the Workbook Appendices from www.energystar.gov/smallbiz and review the worksheets, checklists,
and assessment tools for office equipment, lighting, heating/cooling, and other building systems. You
will also find guidance on getting started with Portfolio Manager, energy audits, working with
contractors, project financing, and additional online resources. Don't forget—you can find frequently
asked questions or email your own questions anytime to ENERGY STAR tech support at
www.energystar.gov/buildingshelp. Good luck and let us know about your success!
32
------- |