ENERGY STAR
ENERGY STAR® Action Workbook
for Small Business - Appendices
Aprii 2015
Hudson
Home i
basemen I
United States
^*10 i~ W^Emk. Environmental Protection
M'U Mm Agency
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.
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ENERGY STAR® Action Workbook for Small Business - Appendices
Appendix A - Benchmarking your Property with Portfolio Manager* 1
A.l Portfolio Manager Data Collection 1
A.2 Getting Started in Portfolio Manager 6
A.3 Portfolio Manager Reports 6
Appendix B - Areas of Opportunity: Energy and Water 7
B.l Lighting 8
B.2 Windows and Walls (Building Envelope) 12
B.3 Office Equipment Guidance 17
B.4 Kitchen and Food Service Equipment 19
B.5 Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) 21
B.6 Water—Hot and Cold 25
Appendix C - Energy Audits 28
C.l What is an Energy Audit? 28
C.2 Pre-Audit Checklist 32
C.3 What to Expect 32
C.4 Online Energy Audit Resources 34
Appendix D - Project Financing 35
D.l ENERGY STAR Calculators 35
D.2 How to Pay for Upgrades 36
D.3 Choose How to Finance the Project 39
D.4 Consider a Utility Bill Audit 39
D.5 Online Financing Resources 41
Appendix E - Working with Contractors 42
E.l Selecting a Contractor by Competitive Bid 42
E.2 Selecting a Contractor by Qualification 43
E.3 Performance Contract - Using an ESCO 43
E.4 Negotiating a Contract 43
E.5 Managing a Contractor 44
Appendix F - Restaurants 45
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ENERGY STAR® Action Workbook for Small Business - Appendices
F.l Profiling Your Energy Use 45
F.2 Tips for Energy Saving at Your Restaurant 45
F.3 Resources and Links 48
Appendix G - Auto Dealers 50
G.l Profiling Your Energy Use 50
G.2 Tips for Energy Saving at Your Dealership 50
G.3 Resources and Links 53
Appendix H - Lodging 54
H.l Profiling Your Energy Use 54
H.2 Tips for Energy Saving at Your Hotel 55
H.3 Resources and Links 57
Appendix I - Offices: Owners and Tenants 58
I.1 Profiling Your Energy Use 58
1.2 Tips for Energy Saving at Your Office 59
1.3 Resources and Links 61
Appendix J - Grocery and Convenience Stores 62
J.l Profiling Your Energy Use 62
J.2 Tips for Energy Saving at your Grocery/Convenience Store 62
J.3 Resources and Links 64
Appendix K - Small and Medium Manufacturers 65
K.l Profiling Your Energy Use 65
K.2 Tips for Energy Saving at Your Manufacturing Plant 66
K.3 Resources and Links 70
Appendix L- Home-Based Businesses 71
L.l Profiling Your Energy Use 71
L.2 Tips for Energy Saving at Home 72
L.3 Resources and Links 75
Appendix M -SBA Energy Efficiency Resources 76
M.l CDC Energy Efficiency Public Policy Incentives 77
M.2 E3 Program 77
M.3 SBIR Program 77
M.4 Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) Program 78
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ENERGY STAR® Action Workbook for Small Business - Appendices
M.5 SBA Resources and Links 79
Appendix N - EPA Green Power Partnership 80
Appendix 0 - EPA Office of Small Business Programs 82
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ENERGY STAR® Action Workbook for Small Business - Appendices
Disclaimer
All energy, water, and monetary savings listed in this document are based upon average savings for end users and
are provided for educational purposes only. Actual savings will vary based on energy, water, and facility use,
national weather data for your locality, energy prices, and other factors. Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are
calculated based on emission factors reported to the U.S. EPA by the electric utility provider ser\>ing your ZIP
Code. Data referenced in this document is provided by the U.S. EPA.
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ENERGY STAR® Action Workbook for Small Business - Appendices
Appendix A - Benchmarking your
Property with Portfolio Manager®
A. 1 Portfolio AAanager Data Collection
Entering your property's energy and water
use data into the free online Portfolio
Manager software will allow your team to
track and measure the property's energy and
water use over time—this is especially helpful as new upgrades are implemented.
Use the worksheet below to gather your property's energy and water consumption and cost data. Doing
this before creating or logging into your account will make it easier to enter the information into
Portfolio Manager.
This worksheet was designed to help building owners and managers collect data to benchmark buildings
using EPA's ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager. The information in this worksheet will be used to establish
your building's profile in Portfolio Manager, which is critical to calculate benchmarks of key metrics such
as energy intensity and costs, water use, and carbon emissions. All building types can be entered into
Portfolio Manager and receive energy and water benchmarks, as well as a comparison of performance
against a national average for buildings of a similar type.
Some buildings will also receive an ENERGY STAR score. The ENERGY STAR score is a benchmark that
indicates how efficiently buildings use energy on a 1-100 scale. A score of 50 indicates that energy
performance is average compared to similar buildings, while a score of 75 or better indicates top
performance, and means your building may be eligible to earn the ENERGY STAR label. To receive an
ENERGY STAR score, the gross floor area of the building must be comprised of more than 50% of one of
the following space types: bank/financial institution, courthouse, data center, hospital (general medical
and surgical), hotel, house of worship, K-12 school, medical office, office, residence hall/dormitory, retail
store, senior care facility, supermarket/grocery store, warehouse (refrigerated and unrefrigerated), and
wastewater treatment plant.
Required Data for ENERGY STAR Benchmarking
• Portfolio Manager username and password.
• The building street address, year built, and contact information.
• The building gross floor area and key operating characteristics for each major space type. Use this
worksheet to collect this information before logging in to Portfolio Manager.
• 12 consecutive months of utility bills for all fuel types used in the building. If you don't have this
information readily available, contact your utility provider(s) as most will be able to easily supply this
historical information.
ENERGYSTAR
EIMERGYSTAR®
PortfolioManager®
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ENERGY STAR® Action Workbook for Small Business - Appendices
General Building Information
Facility name Year built
Building address
City State ZIP
Space Use Attributes
Before compiling the information noted in the boxes below, review the following important information:
• Specific definitions and instructions for each of the data fields listed in the boxes below can be
viewed by navigating to Portfolio Manager at www.energystar.gov/benchmark, selecting "Identify
property type/' and choosing the appropriate building type.
• Some buildings may contain multiple space types within a single building (e.g. office, data center,
and parking OR K-12 school and swimming pool). Complete the fields below for each applicable
major space types within the building.
• For buildings with multiple tenants with the same space type, these spaces should be entered
separately only when the number of weekly operating hours among tenants differs by more than 10
hours. For example, in a 100,000 square foot (SF) office building where 75,000 SF operates 60 hours
a week and 25,000 SF operates 80 hours a week, please list as two separate spaces - one 75,000 SF
space and one 25,000 SF space. As this is most common in office buildings, multiple office space
fields are provided below to capture data for multiple tenants if necessary.
• Default values supplied by Portfolio Manager can be used for all space use characteristics with the
exception of gross floor area. Using default values will result in an approximate energy performance
score which can be a beneficial metric for estimating energy performance. If defaults are used for an
initial score, it is recommended that actual data be added later to more accurately measure a
facility's energy performance. Facilities using default values are not eligible to apply for the ENERGY
STAR label. Leave any of the requested information below blank (except gross floor area) to use a
default value for the field.
Required Data for ENERI nclimarlcing
• Portfolio Manager username and password.
• The building street address, year built, and contact information.
• The building gross floor area and key operating characteristics for each major space type. Use this
worksheet to collect this information before logging into Portfolio Manager.
• 12 consecutive months of utility bills for all fuel types used in the building. If you don't have this
information readily available, contact your utility provider(s) as most will be able to easily supply this
historical information.
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ENERGY STAR® Action Workbook for Small Business - Appendices
Data Requirements for Specific Facility Types
Bank/Financial Institution:
Required:
Gross floor area (SF)
Weekly operating hours
# of workers on main shift
# of personal computers
Percent of floor area that is air conditioned (>=50%, <50%, or none)
Percent of floor area that is heated (>=50%, <50%, or none)
Hotel:
Required:
Gross floor area (SF)
# of rooms
# of workers on main shift
# of commercial refrigeration/freezer units
On-site cooking - yes or no
Percent of floor area that is cooled in 10% increments (10%, 20%, 30%, etc.)
Percent of floor area that is heated in 10% increments (10%, 20%, 30%, etc.)
Optional:
Hours per day the guests are on-site
Number of guest meals served
Square footage of full-service spas
Square footage of gym/fitness center
Laundry processed at site (drop down of options)
Annual quantity of laundry processed on-site
Average Occupancy (%)
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ENERGY STAR® Action Workbook for Small Business - Appendices
Medical Office:
Required:
Gross floor area (SF)
# of workers on main shift
Weekly operating hours
Percent of floor area that is cooled in 10% increments (10%, 20%, 30%, etc.)
Percent of floor area that is heated in 10% increments (10%, 20%, 30%, etc.)
General Office:
Required:
Gross floor area (SF)
Weekly operating hours
# of workers on main shift
# of personal computers
Percent of floor area that is air conditioned (>=50%, <50%, or none)
Percent of floor area that is heated (>=50%, <50%, or none)
Parking:
Required:
Gross floor area that is enclosed (SF)
Gross floor area that is not enclosed with a roof (SF)
Gross floor area that is open (SF)
Weekly hours of access
Retail Store:
Required:
Gross floor area (SF)
Weekly operating hours
# of workers on main shift
# of personal computers
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ENERGY STAR® Action Workbook for Small Business - Appendices
# of cash registers
# of walk-in refrigeration/freezer units
# of open & closed refrigeration/freezer cases
Percent of floor area that is cooled in 10% increments (10%, 20%, 30%, etc.)
Percent of floor area that is heated in 10% increments (10%, 20%, 30%, etc.)
Exterior entrance to the public - yes or no
Supermarket/Grocery Stores:
Required:
Gross floor area (SF)
Weekly operating hours
Workers on main shift
On-site cooking - yes or no
# of walk-in refrigeration/freezer units
Percent of floor area that is cooled in 10% increments (10%, 20%, 30%, etc.)
Percent of floor area that is heated in 10% increments (10%, 20%, 30%, etc.)
Optional:
# of open or closed refrigeration/freezer cases
# of registers and/or personal computers
Warehouse (refrigerated and unrefrigerated):
Warehouse (Unrefrigerated):
Required:
Gross floor area (SF)
Weekly operating hours
# of workers on main shift
# of walk-in refrigerators/freezer units
Percent of floor area that is cooled in 10% increments (10%, 20%, 30%, etc.)
Percent of floor area that is heated in 10% increments (10%, 20%, 30%, etc.)
Optional:
Distribution Center - yes or no
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ENERGY STAR® Action Workbook for Small Business - Appendices
Warehouse (Refrigerated):
Gross floor area (SF)
Weekly operating hours
# of workers on main shift
tfolio Manager
Now that you have collected your property's data, you're ready to create the Portfolio Manager
account. The following steps will walk you through: 1) signing up for a new account or logging into an
existing one; 2) adding account information; 3) benchmarking with Portfolio Manager; and 4) utilizing
the information collected on Worksheet 1 - Portfolio Manager Data Collection.
For a quick start guide on Portfolio Manager, please see
http://www.energvstar.gov/buildings/tools-and-resources/portfolio-manager-quick-start-guide.
Congratulations! Now that your account is set up, it will be easy for you to continue tracking your
property's performance monthly with Portfolio Manager.
A. 3 Portfolio Manager Reports
In addition to displaying your property's performance results online, Portfolio Manager can adapt the
data from the account into ready-made reports. You can generate reports instantly using your property
data, or you can request a Statement of Energy Performance (SEP). For more information on the
Standard Report Templates, see
http://www.energvstar.gov/buildings/tools-and-resources/portfolio-manager-standard-reports and see
the Custom Reporting Guide at
http://www.energvstar.gov/buildings/tools-and-resources/portfolio-manager-custom-reporting-guide.
To run reports from Portfolio Manager, click the Reporting tab to view graphs and reports for a property
or account. Click the Charts & Graphs options to instantly see colorful graphs of how the property is
performing. You can print the graphs or download them to incorporate into a presentation or
document. View the Templates & Reports section to see a list of available standard reports, including
Performance Highlights, Energy Performance, and Water Performance. Select Generate New Report
from the Action drop-down menu to create a spreadsheet.
For more information to determine whether your property type is able to apply for ENERGY STAR
Certification, see http://www.energvstar.gov/buildings/tools-and-resources/how-applv-energy-star.
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ENERGY STAR® Action Workbook for Small Business - Appendices
Appendix B - Areas of Opportunity:
Energy and Water
When looking at which products and appliances to purchase, which projects to undertake, and which
behavioral changes to implement, the amount of information can be overwhelming. This appendix walks
through six project sectors to help your team decide which actions are most beneficial to implement as
part of your energy efficiency projects. In your decision-making process, consider both the initial cost of
installing the efficient technology/product/practice and its expected energy cost savings compared to
the technology/product/practice currently in use. Obviously your business type will determine which
information is most relevant; however, all businesses can use the following information and tailor it to
their individual needs.
The sections included in this appendix are:
• Lighting
• Windows and Walls (Building Envelope)
• Office Equipment
• Kitchen and Food Service Equipment
• Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC)
• Water.
In addition to this information, there are free online resources for more information:
• ENERGY STAR Products website: http://www.energystar.gov/products
S Learn more about the ENERGY STAR label
S Find ENERGY STAR labeled product lists, cost calculators, and other analysis tools
• Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) Energy Efficient Products website:
http://wwwl.eere.energy.gov/femp/technologies/procuring eeproducts.html
S FEMP offers its own recommendations for products not listed under ENERGY STAR
S Detailed information about performance requirements for energy-efficient products, energy
cost calculators, and additional resources and analysis tools
S Energy Savings Calculators for appliances:
http://wwwl.eere.energy.gov/femp/technologies/eep eccalculators.html
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ENERGY STAR" Action Workbook for Small Business - Appendices
B.1 Lighting
The lighting systems in any property are integral to a safe, functional, and
comfortable environment. For example, spotlighting highlights products in
retail facilities, desk and overhead lamps provide a good working environment
in offices, and flood lamps create a work space for large areas. Traditionally
most, if not all, of these lighting needs were met with incandescent or halogen
bulbs because of their low initial cost, warm color, and dimming capabilities.
However, both types of bulbs are energy inefficient and radiate significant
waste heat. Today, new energy-efficient, long-life bulbs provide features
similar to incandescent and halogen bulbs at affordable prices. The result is a
tremendous diversity in lighting equipment—all with varying efficiencies that
could represent energy saving opportunities. This section discusses the two
basic ways to achieve energy savings in your lighting system—installing more efficient equipment,
and/or changing the way you operate the lighting. This means turning lights off when unneeded,
maintaining the lighting systems (keeping them clean), and illuminating spaces only to the light levels
required to suit the task.
Use the following information to consider
each lighting suggestion as it may apply to
your property, and record progress on the
Lighting checklist that follows.
• 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.
You may wish to visit the property at a
time when everything is supposed to
be turned off and make a list of places
where the lights were left ON. Also,
ensure that exterior lighting—typically
not needed during the day—is turned
off in daylight hours. Different types of
automatic controls can turn lights ON
when needed and off when not.
• Ensure that appropriate lighting
levels are maintained. Too much light
causes glare—and it costs more. Fine-
tuning the bulb wattage, type, or
layout can improve visual quality and
Lifetime Savings
ENERGY STAR® certified bulbs use 75% less energy than
incandescent bulbs, last 10 to 25 times longer, and save you
$40 to $135 in energy bills over their lifetime.
Total Cost $180
9
WW
WW
WW
WW
WW
WW
25 60-Watt
Incandescent
Light Bulbs
Total Cost S45 Total Cost $45
9
2.5 13-Watt
ENERGY STAR
Certified Light Bulb
1 12-Watt LED
ENERGY STAR
Certified Light Bulb
Saving figures based on 25,000 hour LED lifetime; 10,000 hour CFL lifetime;
1,000 hour incandescent lifetime an electric rate of lie per kWh,
an LED price of $10, a CFL price of $3.00, and an incandescent price of $0.40.
Figure B.1-1. Lifetime Savings Comparison of Different
Bulbs; source ENERGY STAR
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ENERGY STAR® Action Workbook for Small Business - Appendices
reduce energy use. You may want to consider conducting a lighting assessment by walking through
your property both during the day and at night to determine if you are over/under lighting certain
areas.
• Replace incandescent bulbs with ENERGY STAR qualified compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs)
and/or light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Consider CFLs and LEDs for your recessed lighting, pendant
fixtures, and accent and spot lighting applications. CFLs and LEDs cost about 75 percent less to
operate than incandescent bulbs, and last about six times longer; generating about 75 percent less
heat. These higher efficiency bulbs decrease the energy demanded of the property's cooling system
because they produce less heat than incandescent lamps. Although LEDs are more expensive to
purchase up front than CFLs, they use even less energy and last even longer over the lifetime of the
bulb. Additional benefits to LEDs include superior dimming ability over CFLs, better color rendering,
and no mercury. ENERGY STAR certified CFL and LED bulbs are available in a variety of shapes and
sizes for any application—including recessed cans, track lighting, table lamps, and more. You can
even find certified bulbs that are dimmable. If you see an opportunity, there is probably a
replacement option available. In particular look for lights that are ON most often and are easily
accessible. Also, high-efficacy lamps need to be purchased and changed far less frequently than
incandescent lamps, saving labor and maintenance costs for your business.
The ENERGY STAR Lighting Calculator allows you to look at how quickly more efficient bulbs can pay
off based on your utility rate, the type of bulb you are replacing, and the replacement type. This can
provide a quick estimate on the savings potential of more efficient bulbs.
• Upgrade older T12 fluorescent bulbs with magnetic ballasts to more efficient T8 or T5 fluorescent
bulbs with solid-state electronic ballasts. Because T12 bulbs are no longer manufactured, it is
timely to upgrade to more efficient T5 or T8 bulbs. T5 (less than 1" diameter) and T8 (1" diameter)
fluorescent bulbs with modern electronic ballasts use less energy than older T12 (1.5" diameter)
fluorescent bulbs while providing the same amount of light. In areas of the property where T12s are
used for many hours per week, a T12 to T8 or T5 upgrade can pay back the costs quickly, but will
require both bulb and ballast changes.
• Install LED exit signs. You may want to consider an LED-illuminated
exit sign, which saves about 90 percent over an incandescent
fixture's lighting electricity costs. When deciding whether to replace
your incandescent exit signs with LEDs, remember that LEDs last for
25,000 hours, whereas incandescent lamps last for only 750 to
2,000 hours. This decreases the need change bulbs as frequently;
the lower risk of bulbs burning out can increase property safety.
There is an initial up-front cost increase for LEDs, but once installed
and running continuously, they last almost three years before requiring replacement.
• Install occupancy/vacancy sensors. Install wall-mounted occupancy or vacancy sensors in high-use
areas to automatically turn lighting off when no one is present. If occupants forget to turn the lights
off when they leave the space, occupancy sensors turn the lights off after a pre-set time, and turn
them back on when people re-enter the room. Vacancy sensors automatically turn lights off, but the
user must manually turn them back on. Vacancy sensors generally create greater energy savings
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ENERGY STAR® Action Workbook for Small Business - Appendices
than occupancy sensors because there are times when occupancy sensors will turn the lights on
even when the occupant doesn't necessarily need the lights on. This is particularly true in any space
with windows. Investing in dual-technology occupancy/vacancy sensors is an excellent way to save
money and energy. These room sensors combine passive infrared and ultrasonic technologies to
detect occupants in different ways. Having two technologies that must agree on occupancy helps
eliminate false positives—where lights turn off when occupants are sitting still or lights turn on
when no one is in the space but papers flutter, etc. When installing the sensors, remember that
even good equipment can be installed in an incorrect location; they should not be installed behind a
coat rack, door, bookcase, etc. Likewise, they should be located so that neighboring traffic doesn't
inadvertently cause a false trigger. Sensor vendors generally provide a diagram indicating the
sensors' "cones of sensitivity" to assist with proper positioning.
• Install daylight-responsive lighting controls. Daylight-responsive lighting controls typically consist of
dimmable or switchable ballasts and drivers (installed in the fixtures) and a photocell (typically
mounted on the ceiling). These components work together to turn lights on and off (or dim)
automatically based on available daylight, thus producing energy savings while maintaining the
proper illumination levels for the space. The performance of daylight controls depends on
customizing the lighting requirements of each individual space. The sensor's installed position
should also be carefully considered to ensure that it is accurately tracking task light levels.
You can use the checklist below to measure your progress towards implementing the lighting
suggestions described above.
Lighting Checklist:
S Turn off lights (and other equipment) when not in use
S Ensure that appropriate lighting levels are maintained
S Replace incandescent bulbs with ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs and/or LEDs
S Upgrade older T12 fluorescent bulbs to more efficient T8 or T5 bulbs by retrofitting fixtures
S Install LED exit signs
S Install occupancy/vacancy sensors
S Install daylight-responsive lighting controls for areas within 15 feet of a window
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ENERGY STAR® Action Workbook for Small Business - Appendices
itic iline Resources for Lighting Equipment
For more information about efficient lighting equipment, see the following websites:
• ENERGY STAR Products - Lighting:
https://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm7cHighting.pr lighting landing
• ENERGY STAR Lighting Calculator:
http://www.energystar.gov/buildings/sites/default/uploads/files/light bulb calculator.xlsx?0325-e619&0325-e619
• DOE Commercial Lighting Solutions tool for optimizing lighting design:
https://www.lightingsolutions.energy.gov/comlighting/login.htm
• Lighting Research Center website on controls:
http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/researchAreas/controls.asp
S Information about lighting controls, including photo-sensors
S Information about ongoing lighting control research and product testing
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ENERGY STAR" Action Workbook for Small Business - Appendices
B.2 Windows and Walls (Building Envelope)
Your property's "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, walls, and roof. Outside fresh air can be
refreshing, but only as controlled ventilation, not as
accidental infiltration. Improvements to the
envelope will vary based on several factors, including
how the property was built, when it was built, and
how it is maintained. The following suggestions
provide detailed information on how to check specific areas, address small leaks, and if necessary,
suggest greater improvements to the envelope. These include checking: 1) leaks in the overall property;
2) exterior walls; 3) roof and attic spaces; 4) windows and shading; and 5) doors.
B.2.1 Check for Leaks in the Overall Property
Follow the steps below to identify and fix weak points in the overall building envelope of your property.
You will also get to know the structure and elements of the building better in the process. You may find
it helpful to have the items listed below on hand when completing the building envelope assessments
for your property.
To complete the task, you should have the following materials on hand: tape measure/ruler; incense
stick and lighter; flashlight; digital camera; ladder; and thermometer. Then follow the steps below to
identify and fix problems in the property's overall building envelope.
1. Collect architectural and construction drawings of the building. Use these resources to
determine the layout of internal zones and the construction of exterior surfaces.
2. Look for noticeable air infiltration in the property and record your observations. Record
temperatures from different points throughout the building to identify less noticeable
infiltration points.
3. Run either a smoke pencil or a lit incense stick slowly along door jams, window frames, and
vents to determine the level of air flow. This flow is "air infiltration" or the exchange of
unconditioned outside air that your business paid to heat or cool. Record locations where there
are drafts or a lot of air movement in your building sketch. You may need to turn on the air
handlers (fans/ventilation) to create air pressure.
4. Check the interior walls, being sure to record the wall construction and if there is any
insulation/wall condition and noticeable air infiltration
5. Take a digital photo of all areas of concern.
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ENERGY STAR® Action Workbook for Small Business - Appendices
:k Exterior Walls
Follow the steps below to check for problems with the property's exterior walls.
1. Check for and fix air leaks: Unconditioned outside air can add additional heating or cooling
requirements. Seal areas of infiltration in walls using caulk or weather stripping to prevent
unconditioned air from entering your property.
2. Check for and fix rainwater leaks: Wet insulation is not as effective as dry insulation, and excess
moisture can create mold, rot, and structural decay. Mold can be a serious health hazard for
staff and customers. Fix rain leaks in exterior walls by repairing poorly installed siding, flashing,
weather stripping, or caulking.
3. Check the insulation: Installing additional insulation in exterior walls is a possible way to reduce
heat gain or loss. However, depending on the construction of the building, this could be very
labor intensive and expensive:
a. Use loose-fill insulation for enclosed existing walls and hard to reach places
b. Use rigid fibrous insulation for ducts in unconditioned spaces and other places that can
withstand high temperatures
c. Use spray foam or foamed-in-place insulation for enclosed existing walls.
B.2.3 Check Roof and Attic Spaces
Follow the steps below to check for problems with the property's roof and attic spaces.
1. Check the roof for the following and record:
• Any water intrusion
• Roof age and warranty.
2. Roof condition (including signs of leaks, membrane holes, and damaged insulation):
• Roof construction and insulation thickness
• Check attic bypasses.
3. Check the insulation: A professional energy audit will likely recommend the following as
applicable. After first sealing attic air infiltration, increase attic and roof insulation to reduce
heat transfer; unconditioned outside air can add additional heating or cooling requirements.
• In an unfinished attic, use loose-fill, sprayed foam, or foamed-in-place insulation
• In unfinished attic walls and ceilings, use batt or roll insulation.
4. Check to see if the roof surface needs replacement: Research and consider the possibility of
retrofitting the existing roof with a "green" roof or a "cool" roof to reduce heat transfer. Make
sure to have a structural engineer evaluate the building if the new roof is going to add weight to
be sure that your building is strong enough to carry the additional weight.
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ENERGY STAR® Action Workbook for Small Business - Appendices
:k Windows and Shading
Follow the steps below to check for and fix problems with the property's windows and shading.
1. Fix leaks: Seal areas of air infiltration, starting with the attic and moving to windows using caulk
or weather stripping to prevent unconditioned air from entering the building.
2. Check the windows, especially if you are considering replacements, being sure to record:
• Window condition (cracked or broken glass, dry rot, missing caulk, etc., both inside
and outside)
• The window to wall ratio on each facade (the area of the window: the area of wall)
• Window size and dimensions
• Window framing and type of thermal break
• Window type (double paned, single paned, etc.)
• Window operation
• External window shades/overhangs/caulking
• Interior window blinds.
3. Consider installing new windows: New windows are expensive and may not provide the savings
relative to cost of many other upgrades. However, when it is clear that the property needs new
windows, replace old or single-pane windows with ENERGY STAR qualified double- or triple-pane
glass and an insulating gas. Consider choosing windows with tints, heat reflective coatings, or
laminates to further reduce heat gain. Old and metal window frames should also be replaced
with non-metal insulating frames.
4. Check interior shading: Venetian blinds and other operable shades are low-cost and effective
solutions for keeping out sunlight in summer months.
5. Check exterior shading: Overhangs, awnings, shade screens, roller blinds, and vegetation can
provide exterior shading that also reduces the glare from direct sunlight striking glass windows.
Overhangs and awnings can be particularly beneficial because they admit light from the low
winter sun (when sunlight is beneficial for heating and lighting) and tend to block the higher
summer sun (when solar gain is less desirable). Western sun in the summer, especially in hot
climates, can increase the cooling requirement of your HVAC system substantially, so it is a good
idea to focus shading to the western windows first (in warm climates).
6. Consider installing fiberglass or metal shade screens: These cost-effective applications are
capable of reducing solar heat gain up to 80 percent compared to un-shaded clear glass. A shade
screen is a specially fabricated screen of sheet material with narrow weave or louvers formed in
place to prevent solar radiation from striking a window. The air space between the exterior
shade screen and the window helps carry away heat absorbed by the shade before it can be
transferred through the window.
7. Consider exterior roller blinds: These are a series of slats, typically horizontally oriented, made
of wood, steel, aluminum, or vinyl. Like interior shades, they can be raised or lowered as needed
to control the amount of sunlight entering a building space. In warm temperatures during sunny
hours, they can be lowered to function as an insulating barrier to limit incoming sunlight and
reduce heat gain. In cold weather they can be raised to allow desirable heat gain. Partially
rotating the blinds allows some daylight and air to enter between the slats.
8. Plant a tree: Deciduous trees are very effective at providing shade. During the winter when they
are bare, they allow sunlight to pass through; in summer they leaf out and provide shade. The
best location for deciduous trees is due west of west-facing windows. East, southeast, and
southwest sides of buildings are also good locations. Plant trees within 20 feet of windows and
allow them to grow at least 10 feet higher than the window.
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ENERGY STAR® Action Workbook for Small Business - Appendices
:k Doors
Follow the steps below to check for and fix problems with the property's doors.
1. Check for and fix air leaks: Seal areas of air infiltration around attic access and doors using
caulk, weather stripping, and door sweeps to prevent unconditioned air from entering the
property.
2. Calibrate automatic doors: If your property has doors that open automatically, set the
sensitivity so that the doors only open when people are actually approaching the doors. This is
especially important if there is a commonly traveled pathway close to the door.
3. Install revolving doors: One technical option is installing a revolving door to reduce the
exchange of unconditioned and conditioned air. However, this could be an expensive option.
4. Create an entrance vestibule: A vestibule is two sets of doors separated by a small enclosed
space. The idea of a vestibule is that only one set of doors is open at a time. This reduces the
amount of unconditioned air entering your property.
As you complete these steps, use the checklist below to keep track of your progress. For more
information on the building envelope components (windows, walls, insulation, roofs, etc., seethe
additional resources at the end of this section).
S Check for leaks in the overall property.
S Check the exterior walls and, if needed, fix air and water leaks. Consider adding more insulation if
necessary.
S Check the roof and attic space considering a timeline for roof replacement and additional insulation
requirements.
S Check windows. Fix any leaks and consider installing new ENERGY STAR certified windows.
S Examine the shading of the building. Look at what you have in place to provide shade in the hot
summer months—from interior and exterior blinds, to using exterior overhangs, to planting trees.
S Check the doors. Fix air leaks; calibrate the automatic doors to decrease air infiltration; consider
revolving doors or an entrance vestibule if applicable.
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ENERGY STAR® Action Workbook for Small Business - Appendices
itic iline Resources for Building Envelope Guidance
For more information about building envelope components, visit the following websites:
• ENERGY STAR Roof Products:
http://www.energvstar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=find a product.showProductGroup&pgw code=RO
• ENERGY STAR Sealing and Insulating Guide:
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=home sealing.hm improvement sealing
• EPA Indoor Air Quality website: http://www.epa.gov/iaq/
• DOE Cool Roof Calculator: http://www.ornl.gov/sci/roofs+walls/facts/CoolCalcEnergy.htm
S This calculator estimates cooling and heating savings for flat roofs with non-black surfaces.
• The Cool Roof Toolkit: http://www.coolrooftoolkit.org
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ENERGY STAR" Action Workbook for Small Business - Appendices
B.3 Office Equipment Guidance
ENERGY STAR
Office equipment used in many small businesses
presents an often-overlooked opportunity for
significant energy and cost savings. Surveys show
a steady increase in the volume of electronic
office equipment being used by all types of
businesses. This includes computers, printers,
copiers, televisions, and small appliances such as
coffee makers. Evaluating your office equipment
use will help your business realize energy and
monetary savings. Review the following
information to consider each suggestion as it may
apply to your property:
• Always buy ENERGY STAR certified products when new office equipment is
needed The ENERGY STAR label indicates highly efficient computers, printers,
copiers, televisions and other small appliances and equipment. Equipment that
has earned the ENERGY STAR saves energy and money. Many of these
products save energy by utilizing auto-power down settings which cause the
unit to enter a sleep or off-mode when not used after a certain amount of
time. In addition, they also consume less energy when in use. The easiest way
to measure potential cost savings from investing in ENERGY STAR certified office equipment is to use
one of the free online ENERGY STAR calculators found at http://www.energystar.gov/products. Visit
the ENERGY STAR website for specific information on: computers; displays; imaging equipment
such as copiers, printers, scanners, FAX machines, and all-in-one devices; small network equipment
such as routers, modems, etc.; and electronics such as telephones and televisions.
• Set computer power settings to save energy when not in use. An average desktop computer
consumes 58 watts when powered on and three watts when in a sleep state. Over 60 percent of
computers in the United States (U.S.) are left powered on overnight. This wastes significant amounts
of money and energy while generating excess heat on site and unnecessary carbon emissions at the
power plant. Because the use patterns for many typical businesses are fairly standard, you can
program the computers to follow a typical schedule. ENERGY STAR has instructions for setting
computer power settings for different operating systems at
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=power mgt.pr power mgt users
• Replace cathode ray tube (CRT) computer monitors Older CRT monitors should be replaced by
energy-efficient liquid crystal display (LCD) monitors to take advantage of the energy savings LCD
monitors provide. It is important to dispose of CRT monitors properly through recycling because
they may contain hazardous or toxic components. The average CRT monitor operates at 73 watts
while an LCD monitor uses 28 watts. ENERGY STAR has more information on monitor specifications
and those that are ENERGY STAR certified at
http://www.energvstar.gov/products/certified-products/detail/displays
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ENERGY STAR® Action Workbook for Small Business - Appendices
• Utilize Smart Power Strips. Smart power strips address a key energy-wasting issue: the fact that
many appliances and other equipment pull a slight energy load, even when turned off (also called
the "vampire effect"). Many devices can be plugged into the same power strip, which can then be
turned off to ensure that the appliances are not drawing any power. Power strips are relatively
inexpensive and are widely available. They can be used for office and kitchen equipment that "stays
on" even when turned off, such as a television, coffee maker, or stereo system.
• When replacing televisions, buy ones that have earned the ENERG label. Non-ENERGY STAR
certified televisions should be replaced when financially appropriate with energy-efficient LCD or
LED-LCD televisions. You can use a tool such as the ENERGY STAR Certified Television Search to find
televisions matching your specifications and sorted by least energy use at
http://www.energvstar.gov/products/certified-products/detail/televisions
• Develop an education and/or training program to encourage energy conservation. Educated staff
can make significant contributions to load reduction by simply turning off office equipment when it
is not in use, and enabling energy-saving settings for computers and monitors.
You can use the checklist below to measure your progress towards implementing the office equipment
suggestions described above.
S Always buy ENERGY STAR certified products when new equipment is needed.
S Set computer power settings to save energy when not in use.
S Replace cathode ray tube (CRT) computer monitors.
S Utilize Smart Power Strips.
S Buy replacement televisions that have earned the ENERGY STAR.
S Develop an education and/or training program to encourage energy conservation.
itic iline Resources for Computer and Office Equipment
For more information about computer and office equipment, visit the following websites:
• ENERGY STAR Certified Products (including Office Equipment) website:
www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=find a product
• ENERGY STAR Office Equipment Savings Calculator:
http://www.energystar.gov/ia/business/bulk purchasing/bpsavings calc/Calc office eq.xls
• ENERGY STAR Low Carbon IT Campaign website:
www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=power mgt.pr power mgt low carbon
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ENERGY STAR" Action Workbook for Small Business - Appendices
B.4 Kitchen and Food Service Equipment
Many offices have kitchen areas where staff can prepare coffee,
lunch, or snacks. Microwave ovens, coffee machines, stoves, and
refrigerators are common in these areas. Some appliances like coffee
makers may be left on longer than necessary. There are also
additional opportunities to improve energy efficiency if your building
has a larger commercial kitchen. Obviously, if your business is focused
on food service, most of the products and appliances that you use on
a daily basis will be food-service related. This section reviews overall
kitchen and food service equipment; for more specific facility-type
information, see Appendix F - Restaurants, and Appendix J - Grocery
and Convenience Stores.
Review the following items to consider each suggestion as it may
apply to your property, then check it off when completed on the
Kitchen and Food Service Equipment checklist that follows.
• Purchase ENERGY STAR certified commercial food service equipment. Certified refrigerators and
freezers are, on average, 30 percent more energy efficient than standard models. There are also
ENERGY STAR certified dishwashers, fryers, griddles, hot food holding cabinets, ice machines,
ovens/stoves, water coolers, and steam cookers.
• Check current refrigerators. While your property's old refrigerator may still look good and work
well, it could be costing your business over $300 per year to run, while using a significant amount of
energy—in fact, more than twice the energy of a new ENERGY STAR certified model. However, even
new refrigerator units can be run inefficiently. To help improve performance, position the
refrigerator away from heat sources such as ovens and dishwashers, and leave a space between the
wall and the refrigerator to allow air to circulate—this keeps the coils cooler so the refrigerator
doesn't have to work as hard. Keeping the coils clean on the outside of the refrigerator is a great
way to save energy as well. Also, consider unplugging the refrigerator when it is not in use,
especially if it is only used for special events. Be sure to contact the manufacturer or consult the
manual of your specific refrigerator model for usage, but it is generally recommended to unplug the
refrigerator if it will not be used for a period of four weeks or longer.
By properly recycling a refrigerator manufactured 20 or more years
ago and replacing it with a new product that has earned the ENERGY
STAR label, your business can save up to $1,100 and prevent up to
26,000 pounds of GHG emissions. For more information on making sure your old refrigerator is
disposed of properly, see the EPA's Responsible Appliance Disposal (RAD) Program at
http://www2.epa.gov/rad.
• Have 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.
Responsible Appliance
- disposal Program
>.RAD
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ENERGY STAR® Action Workbook for Small Business - Appendices
• Use multiple refrigerators only when necessary: Work to reduce the use of multiple refrigerators:
consider consolidating cooling needs into a single refrigerator and consider turning off an extra unit
that is not needed.
• Check your water cooler. A typical bottled water cooler can use more energy than a large
residential refrigerator. An ENERGY STAR model requires about half as much energy as a standard
unit, which reduces your utility bills.
• Always buy ENERGY STAR certified vending machines. Improving your property's refrigerated
vending machines results in cost savings and reduced building cooling load. Standard refrigerated
beverage vending machines use about 50 percent more power than ENERGY STAR certified
machines. Talk with your property's vending operator about replacing non-ENERGY STAR vending
machines with new or rebuilt models that conform to the latest ENERGY STAR performance
standards, and use software or occupancy sensors to further increase their performance.
You can use the checklist below to measure your progress towards implementing the kitchen and food
service equipment suggestions described above.
S Purchase ENERGY STAR qualified commercial food service equipment.
S Check your refrigerators and freezers.
S Have walk-in refrigeration systems serviced at least annually.
S Check your water cooler.
S Always buy ENERGY STAR qualified vending machines.
itic iline Resources for Kitchen and Food Servit ipment
For more information about kitchen and food service equipment, visit the following websites:
• ENERGY STAR Commercial Food Service Equipment:
http://www.energvstar.gov/products/certified-products/detail/commercial-food-service-equipment
• ENERGY STAR Refrigerators and Freezers:
http://www.energvstar.gov/products/certified-products/detail/commercial-refrigerators-freezers
• ENERGY STAR Water Coolers:
http://www.energvstar.gov/products/certified-products/detail/water-coolers
• ENERGY STAR Vending Machines:
http://www.energvstar.gov/products/certified-products/detail/vending-machines
• WaterSense Water Saving Products:
http://www.epa.gov/watersense/products/index.html
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ENERGY STAR" Action Workbook for Small Business - Appendices
B.5 Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC)
The HVAC systems in many small businesses can
be one of the largest energy users. In addition to
the recommendations in this section, many of the
improvements discussed in other sections of this
appendix can improve the efficiency of your
property's HVAC system. For example, efficient
lighting has less waste heat and can reduce air
conditioning costs; making sure the property is
well insulated will allow the HVAC system to work
less to maintain desired indoor temperatures.
Since replacing HVAC systems are often larger financial decisions, the information below can help your
team maintain your existing system and also create a replacement plan when a new system is required.
• Keep exterior doors closed while running the HVAC. This simple action will help avoid wasteful loss
of heated or cooled air.
• Install a programmable thermostat to control the HVAC system. These thermostats allow you to
optimize HVAC operation based on your property's scheduled use, and can be overridden as needed
for unscheduled events. To ensure that staff and customers always enter a comfortable facility, a
"smart thermostat" can schedule heating/cooling needs for a certain amount of time before arrival.
• Check the accuracy of the thermostats. The thermostats at your business can become dirty or
damaged over time, causing them to read an incorrect temperature. This can lead to over-heating or
over-cooling of the property and to higher utility bills. Your property's thermostats should be
checked annually to make sure that they are working properly by comparing them to a
thermometer. Ideally, your property's regular professional HVAC tune up should confirm the
accuracy of the thermostat.
• Change the filters. To ensure maximum efficiency and air quality, HVAC filters should be cleaned
and replaced at least quarterly, and even monthly during heating/cooling seasons.
• Clean heating and cooling coils, For the highest system efficiency, the place where air/water enters
the HVAC system should be kept clean. Whether in an air handler or in a rooftop unit, the methods
for cleaning include using compressed air, dust rags or brushes, and power washes. In addition,
check baseboard heating systems for dust buildup, and clean them if necessary. This should happen
twice a year—in the spring and in the fall.
• Clear the clutter, Make sure that fan coil units and baseboards are not blocked or covered by chairs,
books, boxes, or file cabinets. Besides creating a fire hazard, blocking these units prevents proper air
circulation. Always keep the area around supply and return vents clear.
• Use fans when a room/area is occupied Comfort is a function of temperature, humidity, and air
movement. Moving air can make a higher temperature and/or humidity feel more comfortable.
Using ceiling fans allows the thermostat to be set as much as three to five degrees higher and the
room feels just as comfortable as a lower temperature. Fans are most effective when the air
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ENERGY STAR® Action Workbook for Small Business - Appendices
movement is felt on the skin, and are a good choice for offices and other areas where occupants are
in one place.
• Tune-up the HVAC system with an annual maintenance contract. Just like a new car, even a new
ENERGY STAR qualified HVAC system will decline in performance without regular maintenance. An
annual maintenance contract automatically ensures that your HVAC contractor will provide pre-
season tune-ups before each cooling and heating season. Use the tune-up appointment to have
your contractor check for possible leaks in the property's duct system. You can read more at
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=heat cool.pr hvac.
You can use the checklist below to measure your progress towards implementing the HVAC suggestions
described above.
S Keep exterior doors closed while running the HVAC.
S Install a programmable thermostat to control the HVAC system.
S Check the accuracy of the thermostats.
S Change the filters as needed, checking monthly.
S Clean heating and cooling coils.
S Clear the clutter.
S Use fans when a room/area is occupied.
S Tune-up the HVAC system with an annual maintenance contract.
'hot ~ jipment be r e?
All types of equipment have a certain useful lifetime. This lifetime may be extended with regular
maintenance, but at some point the equipment will need to be replaced. Replacement offers an
opportunity to invest in energy efficiency, and can impact energy consumption and costs for years to
come.
Because major HVAC equipment (boilers, air conditioners and air handlers, chillers, etc.) typically has a
long, useful life and a major impact on energy consumption, special attention should be paid to this
equipment. Replacement of major HVAC systems is expensive, and for many small businesses, HVAC
replacement can have a big impact on finances. For this reason, you should check equipment
periodically to estimate its remaining life. When the equipment is one to two years from the end of its
remaining life, plans for replacement should begin. The difference between running to failure and
scheduled replacement are best outlined through the following scenarios.
• Scenario 1 - iun HVAC system to failure: A small business-owned office building in Minnesota has
a boiler that provides hot water to heat the building. Although the boiler has been well maintained,
it is 40 years old. On one particularly cold night, the boiler stops working entirely. The technician
comes and says that it can't be fixed. Although the building owners and operators knew that the
equipment was old, they'd never really thought about it or planned for this occasion. Now, the
business is facing a $60,000 dilemma. They need a new boiler installed right away to keep the offices
and their uses functioning for the rest of the winter. They call the local boiler supplier, which carries
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ENERGY STAR® Action Workbook for Small Business - Appendices
a few models. The models that it usually stocks are not high-efficiency boilers, but they do have a
lower up-front cost, and they're in the warehouse ready for installation. High-efficiency models are
available, but they are more expensive, and aren't stocked in the supplier's warehouse at the
moment. The building owners choose the regular efficiency unit because it is available right away
and is the cheapest. However, the cheapest unit is typically less expensive in terms of upfront costs,
but not in lifetime costs in terms of operation, maintenance, and utility costs. As is often the case for
any product, higher quality may cost more initially, but will outlast and outperform a cheaper
version for life-cycle savings.
• Scenario 2 - Scheduled HVAC replacement: This is the same property as described in Scenario 1,
but this is two years earlier, before the start of the heating season. The owners and operators have a
boiler technician come every year to tune-up the boiler and let them know how it's doing. This year,
the technician informs them that the boiler will probably last this year and one or two more
seasons, but past that point it doesn't look good. With this in mind, the business starts to set aside
funds for a new boiler. They start talking to the boiler supplier about the different options available,
and find out that the high-efficiency models are 20 percent more expensive up front, but that over
their estimated 40-year lifespan, they take only a few years for the energy savings to make up for
the extra cost. The team looking into this decision takes what they've learned to the other decision
makers at the business, and convinces them that in the long run, the high-efficiency unit is a better
deal, and will actually save the business quite a bit on utility bills long after the extra cost has been
paid for. The business puts aside the money, and after the end of the second heating season, the
staff schedules the replacement with the boiler supplier. The boiler that they want must be shipped,
which will take two weeks, but the weather is warm so the boiler isn't needed. The boiler is
installed, tested, and ready for the next heating season well ahead of time.
In these two scenarios, the difference is that the second group had the time to sit back, think, and make
a decision that made sense in the long run, rather than being limited by the situation at hand. By
keeping a close eye on the condition of major HVAC equipment, businesses can plan ahead and make
the best decisions possible, which usually mean that equipment is not run to failure.
lying the Concept
A major piece of equipment is most likely to fail when it is under the most stress or greatest demand.
Therefore, it is likely to fail at the "worst possible time." Heating equipment is likely to fail on the
"coldest day" and air-conditioning on the "hottest day." Without a planning and replacement strategy in
place, a business can either "do without" or jump to a major purchase with too little research and too
few good choices, and be faced with long-term cost implications. Regularly scheduled maintenance (at
least annual or "pre-season") and a replacement plan are the responsible financial approach for your
property and its vital HVAC equipment.
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ENERGY STAR® Action Workbook for Small Business - Appendices
itic iline Resources for HVAC
• ENERGY STAR Heating and Cooling Guide:
http://www.energvstar.gov/ia/partners/publications/pubdocs/HeatingCoolingGuide%20FINAL 9-4-09.pdf?75c2-2c21
• Tips for hiring a heating/cooling contractor:
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=heat cool.pr contractors lOtips
• ENERGY STAR: Heat and Cool Efficiently:
www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=heat cool.pr hvac
• ENERGY STAR HVAC Maintenance Checklist:
www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=heat cool.pr maintenance
• ENERGY STAR Duct Sealing brochure:
www.energystar.gov/ia/products/heat cool/ducts/DuctSealingBrochure04.pdf?0cbe-cc73
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ENERGY STAR® Action Workbook for Small Business - Appendices
B.6 Water-Hot and Cold
You may wonder what water use and saving energy
have to do with each other. 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 benefit 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 at http://www.epa.gov/watersense/.
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.
Review the following information to consider each suggestion as it may apply to your property, and then
check each item off when completed on the Water checklist that follows.
• Conduct a water assessment to identify major water uses within the property. Look for
opportunities for savings, and track your property's water use in Portfolio Manager.
• Find and fix leaks. Small leaks add up to many gallons of water and dollars wasted each month.
Water conservation saves energy and money, especially for hot water. Since electricity is also
required for purification of drinking water, treatment of waste water, and pumping of water, fixing
leaks will save energy.
• Use water-saving faucets, showerheads, toilets, and urinals to save water. WaterSense-labeled
products can save a great deal of water and therefore energy. For example, WaterSense toilets use
20% less water than those manufactured following the current federal standard. Additionally,
replacing just one older inefficient urinal with a WaterSense-labeled model could save your property
approximately 4,600 gallons of water per year.
• Insulate water heaters. Install an insulation blanket on water heaters that are more than seven
years old, and insulate the first three feet of the heated water "out" pipe on both old and new units.
• Purchase an ENERGY STAR qualified water heater when buying a new water heater. If your water
heater is outdated or working inefficiently, upgrading to an ENERGY STAR qualified model will
reduce water heating costs. All water heaters, especially gas-fired, should be inspected annually for
safety as well as efficiency. Keep the immediate area around water heater clean and free of any
debris, and allow nothing to be placed on top of the heater. In areas of infrequent water use,
consider tank-less water heaters to reduce standby storage costs and waste.
EPA
WaterSense
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ENERGY STAR® Action Workbook for Small Business - Appendices
ENERGY STAR Qualified Commercial Water Heaters
• High Efficiency Gas Storage: High-efficiency gas storage water heaters work the same way
conventional gas storage water heaters work, but high-efficiency models have better
insulation, heat traps, and more efficient burners. These improvements increase energy
efficiency by about 7.5 percent.
• Gas Condensing: Gas condensing water heaters operate similarly to conventional gas water
heaters, but reduce the amount of gas required by the water heater by approximately 30
percent.
• Heat Pump: Heat pump water heaters use electricity to pass vaporized refrigerant through a
system containing a compressor, a condenser coil, and an expansion valve.
• Whole-Home Gas Tank-Less: Whole-home gas tank-less water heaters work similarly to
conventional gas types by heating cold water with a gas burner. However, instead of
constantly maintaining a supply of hot water, tank-less water heaters only operate when hot
water is needed. By only heating water on-demand, tank-less water heaters are able to
substantially reduce energy consumption in some applications.
• Solar Water: Solar water heaters come in a variety of designs, but all include a collector (a
device that captures solar thermal energy) and a storage tank for hot water.
• Set water temperature only as hot as needed. Typically hot water should only be heated to 110 to
120 degrees Fahrenheit. This prevents scalding and saves energy. Remember to check local codes
for specific temperature requirements.
• Optimize the amount of water used in heating and cooling systems. Evaluate cooling towers,
chillers, and other large systems to ensure they are running as efficiently as possible. Eliminate
single-pass cooling systems wherever possible by re-circulating water or reusing the water for
another purpose instead of sending it down the drain.
• Practice water-efficient landscaping. Planting native and regionally-appropriate plants on the
grounds of your property can reduce the need for extensive outdoor watering in the summer.
Reducing the amount of turf grass can also save water—turf grass receives the highest percentage
of irrigation water in traditional landscaping, much more than landscapes planted with a mix of
trees and shrubs. If an irrigation system is used, be sure it has been installed correctly and have it
checked for leaks on a regular basis to avoid wasting water. Native trees and other plants can shade
and cool your "micro-climate" by several degrees and are less vulnerable to local insect pests than
non-native species.
For more information about water use, visit the WaterSense website at
http://www.epa.gov/watersense/commercial/ to learn about WaterSense at Work, Best Management
practices designed to help properties reduce their water use.
You can use the checklist below to measure your progress towards implementing the water savings
suggestions described above.
S Conduct a water assessment to identify major water uses within the property.
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ENERGY STAR® Action Workbook for Small Business - Appendices
S Find and fix leaks.
S Use water-saving faucets, showerheads, toilets, and urinals.
S Insulate water heaters.
S Buy the most efficient model possible when purchasing a new water heater.
S Set water temperature only as hot as needed.
S Optimize the amount of water used in heating and cooling systems.
S Practice water-efficient landscaping.
B.6.1 Additio iline Resources for Water
For more information about water saving, visit the following websites:
• EPA WaterSense Program:
http://www.epa.gov/watersense/
• WaterSense Water Saving Products:
http://www.epa.gov/watersense/products/index.html
• ENERGY STAR Water Savings Tips:
http://www.energvstar.gov/buildings/facilitv-owners-and-managers/existing-buildings/save-energv/save-water-save-energv
• ENERGY STAR Certified Hot Water Heaters:
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=water heat.pr water heaters landing
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ENERGY STAR" Action Workbook for Small Business - Appendices
As the saying goes, "Time is money." This
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. You may wonder,
"Where should I start?" and "Do I replace
one piece of equipment or system at a
time or should I do a comprehensive
upgrade of my entire facility?" The answers to these questions will vary depending on your 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 Sure Energy Savers (see
Appendix B - Project Sectors-Energy and Water, sections B.l to B.6). Once these have been
implemented, and the property has used Portfolio Manager to benchmark energy use, an energy audit
may help your business determine what additional energy efficiency projects make sense. Refer to
resources in Appendix D - Project Financing, for ideas on how to pay for your audit
Did you know that "while many small businesses have invested in energy efficiency, only 16 percent
have had an energy audit of their facilities during the past two years?" 1 This appendix can help your
business determine whether or not an audit is appropriate for your small business and—if so—how to
choose one. In particular, this appendix tells you:
• What an energy audit is, what types of audits are available, and who can perform them
• How to prepare for an audit
• What you can expect the audit to include
• What energy audit resources are available online.
Energy audits are comprehensive reviews conducted by energy professionals and/or engineers that
evaluate the actual performance of your business' systems and equipment against their designed
performance level or against the best available technologies. The difference between the actual
C. 1 What is an Energy Audit?
1 The National Small Business Association's 2011 Energy Survey.
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ENERGY STAR® Action Workbook for Small Business - Appendices
performance and designed performance is the potential for energy savings. Whether your business is
home-based, rents space, or owns its own property, you can probably benefit from an energy audit. For
home-based businesses, the benefit of an energy audit is two-fold; both you and your business can save
money. Be aware—audits alone don't save energy; you need to implement the recommended
improvements to reap benefits.
Money saved as a result of implementing auditor-recommended energy efficiency improvements may
justify the up-front cost of the energy audit. However, your business' budget may limit the types of audit
that would make financial sense, because recommended improvements that are not performed shortly
after the audit can become outdated. If your business has limited property improvement funds, an audit
targeting specific types of projects may be the most cost effective as it will recommend projects your
business will be able to affordably implement in a short time frame with allotted project funds. This
section will help your Energy Team review the types of audits and auditors to determine whether or not
an audit would benefit your company and which type of audit to select.
es of Energy Audits
If your business decides to conduct an energy audit, you will need to choose which type of audit is the
best fit by considering the property type to be audited, the cost of the audit, your Energy Team's project
goals and access to funding, and the implementation timeline. For example, a detailed energy audit
might not make sense for a small, home-based business or a business that does not have financing to
implement the projects identified by the audit. It is wise to start with benchmarking and implementing
the Sure Energy Savers and other steps described in Appendix B - Project Sectors-Energy and Water, to
see what you can save prior to getting an audit.
Home Energy Audits
For home-based businesses, a home energy audit can be the first step in making both your home and
home-based business more efficient. An audit can help you assess how much energy your home uses
and evaluate what measures you can take to improve efficiency. You can perform a simple energy audit
yourself, or have a professional energy auditor perform a more thorough audit. For more information on
home energy audits, visit ENERGY STAR's Home Energy Audits page. You can use ENERGY STAR
resources to do-it-yourself using the ENERGY STAR Home Energy Yardstick or find information to hire a
professional home energy auditor using the New Homes Partner Locator (all resources with links in
Section C.4).
ASHRAE Audits
If your company rents or leases office space or owns its own buildings, your Energy Team may consider a
professional audit. There are several types of energy audits that survey your property at different levels
of detail. The types of audits as defined by American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air
Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) standards are:
• ASHRAE Level I - Walk-Through Analysis
• ASHRAE Level II - Energy Survey and Analysis
• ASHRAE Level III - Detailed Analysis of Capital-intensive Modifications.
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ENERGY STAR® Action Workbook for Small Business - Appendices
These audits are described in detail below. Although the accuracy of the audit is directly related to the
level of detail (e.g., a Level III audit is more accurate than a Level II audit), the most extensive and
accurate audits may not be necessary or cost effective to accomplish your business' energy saving goals.
Types of ASHRAE Energy Audits
A5HR ;I I - Walk-Through Analysis: Focuses on low- and no-cost energy conservation measures,
and provides a list of higher cost energy conservation measures. Typically, these audits will result in a
report about how much energy and money can be saved from specific efficiency opportunities. If you
have benchmarked your building and implemented the Sure Energy Savers, you will have already
completed most of the analysis that this type of audit provides.
A5HR >! II - Energy Survey and Analysis: Expands on the Level I audit by including more detailed
energy calculations and financial analysis of proposed energy efficiency measures. The financial analysis
used is typically a life cycle analysis, which allows you to better understand the financial benefits of
installing energy efficiency measures. You are typically provided with a list of energy
conservation/efficiency measures, an estimate of the amount of money and energy that will be saved,
and an estimate of the amount each measure will cost. These reports should also include any changes
that need to be made to operations and maintenance procedures.
ASHR >1 III - Detailed Analysis of Capital-Intensive Modifications: Expands on the previous levels
of effort and is based on a specific subset of energy conservation/efficiency measures to analyze further.
This may include further refinement of an energy model or more extensive data collection. These are
often used to provide detailed information to lenders for larger projects.
ling an Energy Auditor
Unless you conduct an audit yourself, you can choose from three main types of energy audit providers:
1) utility companies, 2) private sector companies, and 3) state energy offices. The following paragraphs
describe these types of auditors in more detail.
Your utility company may offer free or inexpensive energy audits and/or have an energy conservation
department.
Private-sector companies include consultants, energy service companies (ESCOs), and ENERGY STAR
service and product providers (SPPs). These companies can conduct audits, evaluate and recommend
projects to improve building energy efficiency, and can estimate energy use, energy savings, and project
cost:
• Energy consultants can sometimes prepare project specifications or engineering designs. Energy
consultants do not usually provide financial or management services and they are not involved in
the actual project implementation process.
• ESCOs have the ultimate goal of being hired by your property to install and manage the projects
they recommend. For this reason, ESCOs have a vested interest in the completion, operation, and
resulting savings from your projects, and will guarantee positive results as part of a long-term
performance contract. Some ESCOs also provide financing and equipment maintenance.
The major difference between ESCOs and energy consultants is the financial arrangement. ESCOs
will often pay the up-front costs of implementing the efficiency projects, and will be paid through
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ENERGY STAR® Action Workbook for Small Business - Appendices
the savings achieved. This can be a good option for businesses that don't have access to capital to
implement the projects on their own.
• SPPs (which can include energy consultants and ESCOs) are companies that assist commercial
buildings with running more efficiently by helping clients with benchmarking energy performance,
improving efficiency, and earning recognition. ENERGY STAR maintains a list of service and product
provider (SPP) partners. To partner with ENERGY STAR, a company must demonstrate a minimum
level of past and ongoing experience working with Portfolio Manager and earning ENERGY STAR
certification for their client buildings.
Your state energy office may offer free or inexpensive energy audits. Find your state energy office by
visiting the National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO) State and Territory Energy Offices'
interactive map at http://www.naseo.org/members-states.
tractir 1 - ite Company to Perfo, jr Energy Audit
Once your business has reviewed the types of audits and auditors available, you may choose to hire a
private sector company for an audit. In this case, you can either select the company by sole source or
competitive bid. In a sole source selection, you negotiate with a single consultant/ESCO. In a competitive
bid, you advertise your team's need for a consultant/ESCO, and receive bids from firms interested in
doing business with you.
If your business owns its own property, you are well-suited to negotiate exclusively with a single
consultant/ESCO. When hiring via sole source selection, your team can negotiate until a mutually
agreeable cost is reached. During these negotiations, be sure to understand the scope of the audit and
its minimum reporting and analytical requirements; more specifically, ensure that assignments,
deliverables, and schedules are clear and understood by all parties.
The major drawback to sole source contracts such as these is that they can be more costly than
competitive bid contracts due to a lack of market competition. However, establishing a long-standing
working relationship will allow that consultant/ESCO to become intimately familiar with your property's
energy equipment, needs, and problems, and will also negate the need for your team to review
proposals for each separate project. Understanding the prices of competitive bid contracts in your area
prior to negotiating the price of a sole source contract will help you derive the benefits from a sole
source contract at a competitive market price.
r Ener • ole
If you hire an outside auditor, your Energy Team will be responsible for monitoring the auditor's
activities. This section outlines steps and activities your Energy Team should take to ensure the audit's
success:
• If your business plans solicit competitive bids for your audit, the Energy Team can prepare a Request
for Proposals (RFP) to hire an auditor. ENERGY STAR has a sample RFP (see Section C.4) to assist you
in preparing this document.
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ENERGY STAR® Action Workbook for Small Business - Appendices
• Your team should familiarize themselves with the building in terms of equipment, energy use, and
design (mechanical and electrical).
• You will need to manage the energy auditor through maintaining communication with decision-
making staff and overseeing the auditing work.
• Review the energy audit:
S Be aware of the types of improvements the property is interested in and their relative priority.
S Check to make sure that the assumptions used in the audit calculations make sense with
respect to how the building actually operates.
S Create a final report based on the audit results, and produce a detailed summary of actual
steps that can be taken to reduce energy use. The report should recommend actions from
simple adjustments in operation to equipment replacement. Estimates of resource
requirements for completing actions should be included.
C.2 Pre-Audit Checklist
Once your Energy Team has chosen an energy auditor, you will need to prepare for their visit. You can
help your auditor determine appropriate project recommendations by answering questions about your
property's energy use and construction. In particular, if your business owns its own building(s), providing
the consultant with electrical and mechanical drawings of the property will help the auditor perform the
job, and will also help control costs; if electrical and mechanical drawings are unavailable for your
property, the consultant will need to reconstruct a schematic for equipment operations.
Reviewing a consultant's work can be done internally if your team already has a staff member who is
familiar with energy auditing methods and the projects recommended by the auditor. If your property
does not have such a person (or group of people) on staff, it may be worthwhile to get an independent
review of the recommended projects. Consult your local utility or state energy office for assistance. You
should have an up-to-date Portfolio Manager account for your property(ies) with at least 12 months
utility data included. This account will ensure you have the needed data for an audit, such as property
use, a list of on-site equipment and associated use profiles, energy costs, and newly implemented
projects and upgrades (without knowledge of new project implementation, the audit may assume your
property has been using current equipment for the past 12 months).
C.3 What to Expect
lysis of Existing Equipment
Depending on the type of energy audit your team chooses, you should expect specific things from the
auditor. When negotiating with a sole source, or stating your team's project requirements in a
competitive bid RFP, be sure to specifically indicate the requirements of the audit. To get a better idea
of what an energy audit will include, see the audit types listed below. You can also do a search for
"sample energy audits" on the internet to see many different examples.
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ENERGY STAR® Action Workbook for Small Business - Appendices
Types of Energy Audits
Targeted Lighting: Targeted lighting audits typically include, at a minimum, a count of the number and
types of fixtures in each room and spot checks of light levels.
Targeted HVAC: Targeted HVAC audits include computerized simulations to extrapolate annual
operating energy use based on equipment set points and regional weather factors.
Comprehensive: Comprehensive energy audits evaluate the building envelope, lighting, domestic hot
water, HVAC, kitchen equipment, and controls in the property. Computer models are used to simulate
building and equipment operations, taking account for weather, equipment set points, hours of
operation, and other parameters. Estimated energy consumption is compared to the property's utility
bill charges to ensure that the consultant is not over- or underestimating energy savings from proposed
investments.
iplementation
Having the consultant who performed the energy audit also prepare a performance specification will
help to ensure that your property selects appropriate project types and specifies adequate project
quality. Performance specifications will inform equipment contractors and installers about the type of
project your team is undertaking. Performance specifications may add up to a few cents per square foot
to the cost of a single-purpose or comprehensive energy audit.
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ENERGY STAR® Action Workbook for Small Business - Appendices
IURCES
This section includes online resources that can help your business learn more about energy audits and
auditors as well as potential funding sources. Appendix D - Project Financing, includes a more detailed
list of resources for funding your business' audit.
• ENERGY STAR Home Energy Audits:
www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=home improvement.hm improvement audits
• ENERGY STAR Home Energy Yardstick:
www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=HOME ENERGY YARDSTICK.showGetStarted
• ENERGY STAR New Homes Partner Locator:
www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=new homes partners.locator
• List of all ENERGY STAR SPP partners:
www.energystar.gov/buildings/facilitv-owners-and-managers/existing-buildings/save-energv/expert-help/find-energy-star-service-a-l
• ENERGY STAR sample RFP:
www.energystar.gov/ia/partners/bldrs lenders raters/downloads/Enterprise Rater RFP Template.pdf?2ale-8127
• American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE):
www.ashrae.org
• National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO) State and Territory Energy Offices:
www.naseo.org/members-states
• Small Business Administration (SBA) State and Local Energy Efficiency Programs:
www.sba.gov/content/state-and-local-energy-efficiencv-programs
• SBA Home Energy Saver: hes.lbl.gov/consumer/
• Department of Energy (DOE) Professional Home Energy Audits:
energv.gov/energvsaver/articles/professional-home-energy-audits
• DOE Small Business Energy Audit Program:
energv.gov/savings/small-business-energy-audit-program
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ENERGY STAR" Action Workbook for Small Business - Appendices
Appendix D - Project Financing
One of the challenges a business may face
when looking at implementing energy
efficiency upgrades is the upfront costs of
new equipment and appliances. Usually,
these upgrades save you money over
time—money that can be used to pay for
the cost of future projects. When looking
at the project financing this way, your
business can plan forward, allowing you
to draw on dollars saved from future
energy bills to pay for new, energy-
efficient equipment and projects today.
Some upgrades require little funding. For those that do require investment, there are many traditional
and non-traditional financial resources available which are highlighted in this appendix.
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. It's your business decision to weigh competing needs for capital
versus continuing increases in operating costs for energy. But remember—even a longer return-on-
investment energy efficiency upgrade results in affordable comfort, and new, more reliable equipment.
Strategic energy efficiency investments are your hedge against the certainty of higher utility bills that
you cannot control. This appendix highlights:
• Where to find ENERGY STAR calculators to inform your decision-making process
• How to pay for upgrades
• What factors to consider when choosing financing
• Why you may consider a utility bill audit
• What financing resources are available online.
D. 1 ENERGY STAR Calculators
ENERGY STAR offers online calculators to help you determine a best course of action for your business'
planned energy efficiency projects. The Cash Flow Opportunity Calculator at
http://www.energvstar.gov/buildings/tools-and-resources/cash-flow-opportunitv-calculator-excel can
help you answer three critical questions about potential energy efficiency investments:
• How much new energy efficiency equipment can be purchased from anticipated savings?
• Should this equipment purchase be financed now, or is it better to wait and use cash from a future
budget?
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ENERGY STAR® Action Workbook for Small Business - Appendices
• Is money being lost by waiting for a lower interest rate?
The Building Upgrade Value Calculator estimates the financial impact of proposed investments in energy
efficiency in office properties at
http://www.energvstar.gov/buildings/tools-and-resources/building-upgrade-value-calculator. The
calculations are based on data input by the user, representing scenarios and conditions present at their
properties. Required inputs are limited to general characteristics of the building, plus information on the
proposed investments in energy efficiency upgrades.
D.2 How to Pay for Upgrades
Today there are many opportunities to finance energy efficiency projects-whether through energy
performance contracting, loans, commercial leases, tax-exempt financing, or financial advisory services.
This section contains information on the different types of financing options that may be available to
your business. It also lists factors to consider when deciding which type of financing to use for a project;
additional online resources to find more specific information can be found at the end of this appendix.
Although the right financing option depends on many factors—such as debt capacity, in-house
expertise, and risk tolerance—there are viable options for virtually any type of organization to
implement a well-designed project. You may choose to fund projects with cash or savings, utility
incentives or rebates, grants, loans, or a combination of these. You may also choose to consider
equipment leasing or performance contracting. Group purchasing is another way to reduce dollars
invested in the initial outlay.
i or Savings
A cash purchase is the simplest method for financing energy performance improvements. It is well
suited for small or low-risk upgrades and makes sense if your business has cash reserves and a strong
balance sheet. The advantage of a cash purchase is that all cost savings realized from the upgrade are
immediately available. Generally, relatively inexpensive, simple efficiency measures that are likely to pay
for themselves in about a year are purchased with cash because the costs of acquiring financing (e.g.,
the cost to borrow money, the cost of time invested in researching opportunities, etc.) may exceed the
projected savings. Most businesses want to keep some liquidity, and cash/savings are things that they
would rather not tie it up in larger investments.
Incentives or Rebates
Utilities often provide financial incentives for energy performance upgrades, fuel switching, and even
energy audits. They also sometimes provide low-interest loans. Check with your local utility to learn
which programs are available. Your business may also be eligible to receive immediate rebates or tax
incentives on purchases of ENERGY STAR qualified equipment. See the ENERGY STAR online Rebate
Finder at http://www.energystar.gov/rebate-finder to find special offers, tax breaks, and rebates from
ENERGY STAR partners in your area.
Another good source of rebate information is the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and
Efficiency (DSIRE), which contains local, state, federal, and utility rebates. Additionally, the Chambers for
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ENERGY STAR® Action Workbook for Small Business - Appendices
Innovation and Clean Energy (CICE) shares information, tools and resources with chambers and their
member companies about the economic benefits and opportunities associated with clean energy and
innovation. The federal government and many states reward efficient building upgrades with tax
incentives.
grade Grants
Grants for energy upgrades are usually better suited for larger projects that require extra funding
because the process of applying for a grant requires time and resources. Because finding and applying
for grants can take a large amount of time, you should implement Sure Energy Savers (Appendix B -
Project Sectors-Energy and Water) and look for rebates before you apply for grants. Energy grants come
from many sources—from state and federal governments and from other organizations. Some grants
require matching funding from your business; some will provide a portion of the funding for a specific
type of project; others will fund a complete upgrade. Many grants are available to non-profit
organizations only, so consider that you will need to perform extra research to find grants applicable to
your small business.
Grant opportunities can come up quickly with short deadlines. To keep up with opportunities now and
on the horizon, your business could have someone from your Energy Team track grant deadlines and
requirements. You should also keep a file of past grant proposals and general information to be able to
quickly put together a new proposal. Energy audit reports are often a good source of information when
preparing a grant proposal. Because grants are time-consuming, efforts with a quick turnaround,
consider whether time spent pursuing grants may be better used elsewhere. Some current grant
programs that are currently available are listed below.
State programs: Grants for efficiency upgrades vary from state to state. The Database of State
Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE) has state-by-state listings for all renewable energy and
energy efficiency financing options, including grants, loans and tax incentives at
http://www.dsireusa.org.
Small Business Administration (5BA): The SBA maintains a listing of state, local and regional grants and
loans that offer financial assistance to small businesses making energy efficient upgrades or developing
energy efficient technologies at
https://www.sba.gov/content/state-and-local-energy-efficiencv-programs.
Other programs: There may be other programs that offer loans and/or grants for efficiency upgrades.
For example, the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy's Better Buildings Neighborhood
Program helps state and local governments develop sustainable programs to upgrade the energy
efficiency of homes and buildings. More information is available at
http://energv.gov/eere/better-buildings-neighborhood-program/better-buildings-neighborhood-program.
15
If you are not able to fully fund your project work through cash, grants, and other avenues, your
business may want to consider taking a loan for part of the initial investment. Lenders may require a
down payment on loans for energy projects. Your borrowing ability will depend on current debt load
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ENERGY STAR® Action Workbook for Small Business - Appendices
and creditworthiness. Loan payments may be structured to be equal to or slightly lower than projected
energy savings, creating a positive cash flow. In this financing arrangement, your business will bear all
the risks of the project and receive all the benefits. Visit the SBA listing of state, local, and regional
grants and loans for more information about its loan products at
https://www.sba.gov/content/state-and-local-energy-efficiencv-programs.
ipment Leasing
Instead of paying for an entire upgrade in full, your business may decide to set up a leasing agreement
and make payments over time. Leasing agreements may be with a specific retailer or contractor. Laws
and regulations for equipment leasing are complex and change frequently, so be sure to consult your
financial advisor(s) before entering into a lease agreement. Also note that lease terms may charge a
higher interest rate than a loan, so be sure your Energy Team looks into the total ownership cost of
leasing versus taking out a loan before making a decision. For more details on equipment leasing, see
Chapter 4 of the ENERGY STAR Building Upgrade Manual at www.energystar.gov/BldgManual.
; ntracting
Performance contracting (sometimes called "shared savings") is the most complex type of arrangement,
but offers your business the benefit of risk protection. It is also the most costly financing option because
of the amount of monitoring and verification required, and is usually used for larger scale upgrades or
for larger facilities. However, even this more expensive alternative can yield a positive cash flow for your
business immediately upon installation.
In a performance contract, payment for a project is contingent upon its successful operation. For an
energy efficiency upgrade, services are rendered in exchange for a share of the future profits from the
project. A performance contract can be undertaken with no up-front cost to your business (as the
building owner) and is paid for out of the resulting energy savings. The service provider, often an ESCO,
obtains financing and assumes the performance risks associated with the project. The financing
organization owns the upgraded equipment during the term of the contract, and the equipment asset
and debt do not appear on your balance sheet. Financing for performance contracts is based on the cost
savings potential of the project. Performance contracting can be applied to purchases or leases. If your
team is interested in more details on performance contracting, see Chapter 4 of the ENERGY STAR
Building Upgrade Manual at www.energystar.gov/BldgManual.
chasing
Another way to fund your business' projects is by reducing initial outlay through group purchasing. Why
pay more than you must for efficient products and equipment? Perhaps the local Chamber of Commerce
or trade/professional business association would sponsor a group purchase in which you and other small
businesses pool your buying power for volume discounts. Contact local retailers to see if they can set up
a program for your trade association members to receive bulk discounts.
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ENERGY STAR® Action Workbook for Small Business - Appendices
D.3 Choose How to Finance the Project
Choosing which type of financing you will use requires a full evaluation of your options. Your Energy
Team will need to consider the size of the project, and then look at the factors listed below.
Factors to Consider when Financi Project
Balance Sheet: This is how much money your business has on hand versus its debts. Ensure that any
investments your team makes do not leave your business with too much debt.
Initial Payment: A large purchase may be an obstacle for some businesses planning energy efficiency
upgrades. If your business has large capital reserves or is planning a small project, it makes sense to pay
for the project with cash because all the cost savings from the project will be immediately available to
offset the original investment. There are financing options that can move a project forward with no
initial capital outlay. If resources are tight, you may want to consider a performance contract.
Payments: Your business' goal is to obtain financing at a minimum cost. If your business does not have
enough cash on hand to make a full purchase, determine the monthly payments (through a loan or
leasing) that fit into your budget.
Ownership: If your business owns its energy efficiency upgrade equipment, it will receive all the savings;
however, it is also liable for any performance risk associated with the equipment.
Performance Risk: There is risk associated with any investment. Energy efficiency upgrades can be low-
risk investments because they apply proven technologies with long records of performance. However,
the financing option your team chooses will affect who bears the risk of performance failure.
Performance risk of energy upgrades depends on the accuracy of the assumptions about maintenance,
cost of energy, occupancy, and other factors. For example, lighting upgrades are typically considered a
lower risk investment than HVAC investments because lighting use is largely consistent and does not
vary with the outside temperature. It can be difficult to predict energy savings from HVAC upgrades
because HVAC performance is impacted by the property's ventilation system (e.g. clogged ducts, vents
stuck open) and other factors that may not be visible.
¦ ¦ ; • . • idit
Have you considered whether your utility bills are accurate? You wouldn't pay your restaurant bill
without a quick review, so what about major monthly utility bills? Do you know that professional
analysts say most mistakes are approximately 10% of the bill amount and are routinely repeated month
after month? Professional consultants who analyze utility bills say that utilities can overcharge through
calculation errors and other billing discrepancies.
Your business' utility expenses may represent a large budget expense after personnel costs. Your utility
expense is an operational cost that you can reduce, not only with ENERGY STAR strategic energy and
water management, but by making sure the cost is correctly calculated at the correct rate classification.
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ENERGY STAR® Action Workbook for Small Business - Appendices
Correcting utility billing errors can generate significant savings—some as direct rebates and others as
rate corrections that result in long-term savings.
Your business can undertake a no-risk audit of all your utility expenses. This audit reviews your utility
bills; electricity, natural gas, heating oil, telecommunications, water, and sewer. A utility bill audit will
refund and remove all erroneous and unnecessary overcharges which results in ensuring that your utility
bills are 100% accurate and efficient. Utility bill audits are typically performed on a contingency basis,
which means your business has no out-of-pocket expenses; you pay a percentage of any refunds
recovered. If no refunds are recovered, you pay nothing. This is a potentially great source for raising
capital and reducing your operational expenses.
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ENERGY STAR® Action Workbook for Small Business - Appendices
D.5 Online Financing Resources
Visit the following websites for more information about financing resources for energy efficiency:
• Directory of energy efficiency programs leveraging ENERGY STAR:
www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=DEEPS.showSponsorSearch
• ENERGY STAR Directory to find rebates, incentives, and financing services for energy projects:
http://www.energystar.gov/findfinancingbuildings
• ENERGY STAR Building Upgrade Manual—Financing Section:
www.energystar.gov/ia/business/EPA BUM CH4 Financing.pdf?1305-011d
• Special offers and rebates from ENERGY STAR Partners:
www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=rebate.rebate locator
• ENERGY STAR list of most active service and product providers:
www.energvstar.gov/ExpertHelp
• ENERGY STAR Performance Contracting Best Practices:
www.energvstar.gov/buildings/tools-and-resources/energy-star%C2%AE-performance-contracting-best-practices
• ENERGY STAR Financial Value Calculator:
www.energvstar.gov/buildings/tools-and-resources/financial-value-calculator
• ENERGY STAR Building Upgrade Value Calculator:
www.energvstar.gov/buildings/tools-and-resources/building-upgrade-value-calculator
• Innovative Financing Solutions: Finding Money for Your Energy Efficiency Projects:
www.energvstar.gov/sites/default/files/buildings/tools/COO-CFO Paper final.pdf
• Financing Energy Efficiency Projects:
www.energystar.gov/sites/default/files/buildings/tools/Financing Energy Efficiency Projects.pdf
• EPA's Green Building Funding Opportunities:
www.epa.gov/greenbuilding/tools/funding.htm
• SBA's Loan and Grant Programs:
www.sba.gov/categorv/navigation-structure/loans-grants/small-business-loans/sba-loan-programs
• SBA's State and Local Energy Efficiency Programs:
www.sba.gov/content/state-and-local-energy-efficiencv-programs
• DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Financial Opportunities:
wwwl.eere.energy.gov/financing
• DOE Industrial Assessment Centers (IACS) :
energy.gov/eere/amo/industrial-assessment-centers-iacs
• Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE): www.dsireusa.org
• Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy (CICE): www.chambersforinnovation.com/incentives
• National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO) State and Territory Energy Offices:
http://www.naseo.org/members-states
• The Alliance to Save Energy Resources: ase.org/resources
• Local Government Commission funding opportunities:
www.lgc.org/funding?f=resources/energv/funding.html&f=freepub/energy/funding.html
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Appendix E - Working with Contractors
Once your team has determined the projects for which your business needs to hire a contractor, you will
need to find a contractor who will operate within your budget. You may locate a contractor by
competitive bid or based on their qualifications. However you ultimately select a contractor, so make
sure to obtain the information listed below when assessing prospective contractors.
Information to Obtain from Prospective Contractors
References: Ask the contractor to provide multiple current references that your team can contact about
the work the contractor has performed.
Is licensed and insured: Make sure the contractor is licensed and insured, including workers'
compensation insurance.
Follows regulations: Ask the contractor to certify that their work conforms to state and local regulations
and codes.
Has experience: Make sure the contractor has experience with and will use energy-efficient equipment
as specified in the project designs.
Uses Portfolio Manager: Check whether the contractor has involvement with ENERGY STAR, or
benchmarking through Portfolio Manager. This will help your property remain consistent in its approach
to energy efficiency.
Availability and communication skills: Check the contractor's availability, and make sure they have
good communication skills.
Provides cost estimates, in writing: Ask the contractor to provide a cost estimate in writing for any work
they will do before signing any contract.
E. 1 Selecting a Contractor by Competitive Bid
To select a contractor by competitive bid, issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) to which prospective
contractors interested in undertaking your project will bid for the job. When evaluating contractors'
bids, pay attention to the proposed scope of work they describe; not all bidders will offer to undertake
all tasks listed in the RFP.
Competitive bids are useful to property managers because they allow the manager to negotiate prices
between multiple contractors at once. Think of how you purchase a new car: you don't go to one
dealer; you often go to several in order to compare and then negotiate prices. Similarly, your team can
negotiate the proposed scope of work and proposed contract cost between contractors, encouraging
the contractors to lower their prices and expand their proposed scope of work to remain competitive for
your budget.
The downside is that competitive bids can take time, and your project has to be large enough for the
contractor to find it profitable. If your business wants to invest in a large number of technologies, or to
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renovate a part of your building's infrastructure, a competitive bid may be the most effective option.
However, if you are planning to install a few specific technologies, selecting a contractor by qualification
may make more sense for your energy team.
IAT10N
When selecting a contractor by qualification, you should identify the contractors your team is interested
in considering and assess their qualifications. Specifically, you should ask the questions listed in the
introduction to this section, and should interview past clients and references. Based on your team's
evaluation of the contractor's responses and those of their past clients and references, you can decide
whether to hire him/her to undertake your project.
Selecting a contractor by qualification may be preferable for some businesses, as it allows your team to
work more intimately with the contractor to specify details of the work they will do, and negotiate the
extent to which they will assist your team. Unlike a competitive bid, selecting a contractor based on
qualification does not allow you to negotiate prices or scope of work with multiple contractors
simultaneously. Instead, your team will need to be familiar with the typical costs in your area for the
types of projects your business is implementing.
E.3 Performance Contract - Using an ESCO
A performance contract is where a business hires an ESCO to develop, install, finance, and verify energy
efficiency improvements. In return for the ESCO assuming the up-front costs associated with the
investments, the business agrees to give the ESCO a portion of its energy savings over a period of time
specified in the contract. Usually, ESCOs will focus on larger energy use facilities to make it worth their
expense. If your business has a smaller property, it will most likely use a local contractor rather than an
ESCO.
A performance contract may be attractive from an immediate financial standpoint, but the level of
control exerted by the contractor may be unfavorable. The contractor will be entitled to a portion of
your business's energy savings for a contractually specified length of time after the energy project is
completed, limiting the amount of money saved that you can use elsewhere. However, if your business
does not have the necessary resources to implement projects or monitor energy management, a
performance contract may be a convenient way to overhaul your property's energy-consuming
equipment and practices.
E.4 Negotiating a Contract
The quality of your contracting experience will be determined in large part by how you negotiate the
contract. When drafting the contract, remember that this document will define all interactions between
your team and the selected contractor. Therefore, the contract should address all stages of involvement,
from planning and decision making, to documentation and monitoring of the investments after
installation. If the contractor isn't going to monitor the performance of the equipment after it has been
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installed, make sure that they agree to provide you with all of the knowledge and resources necessary to
allow your team to monitor, maintain, and manage the equipment over time.
tract Specifics
Before you sign any contract on behalf of your business, make sure the contract specifies the items
listed below.
Contract Specifics to Confirm
Processes and Procedures: Processes and procedures that the contractor agrees to undertake.
Activity Schedule: A schedule of activities, including major milestones and due dates.
Contractor and Customer ioles: The roles of team members, both of contractor personnel and your
staff. This is very important in order to ensure that there is no duplication of effort which may result in
higher costs for the project.
Sample Forms and Templates: Sample forms and templates the contractor will use for documentation.
Review these documents, and ask for clarification of any parts of the forms that are not clear.
E.5 Managing a Contractor
When working with a contractor, the extent of your management responsibility will be defined in the
contract. Usually, the day-to-day management of the project is the contractor's responsibility. As the
customer, you should facilitate the contractor's work, and make sure that the contractor is adhering to
the contract. Schedule regular meetings to check in with the contractor and track their progress. After
the project is completed, remember to ask the contractor to provide documentation on how to maintain
the installed equipment's performance, and how frequently maintenance of the equipment is
recommended.
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Appendix F - Restaurants
Restaurants use about five to seven
times more energy per square foot
than other commercial buildings.
High-volume quick-service
restaurants (QSRs) may even use up
to 10 times more energy per square
foot than other commercial
buildings. Restaurants generally use
the most electricity for
refrigeration, followed by lighting,
then cooling. This appendix will help
you target energy use in these areas
and take your energy program one
step further by providing additional guidance tailored for restaurants including:
• How to profile your restaurant's energy use
• What restaurant-specific tips can help you save energy and money
• Where to find restaurant-specific, online resources.
F, 1 Profiling Your Energy Use
Restaurants face a number of challenges and opportunities for energy management, so ensuring
efficient energy use is a business practice that improves profitability, reduces greenhouse gas emissions,
and conserves natural resources. The following ENERGY STAR guides and resources can assist you in
streamlining your business' energy needs (see the last section, Resources and Links, for website links to
all these publications).
The ENERGY STAR Guide for Cafes, Restaurants, and Institutional Kitchens helps you identify ways to
save energy and water in your restaurant, boost your bottom line, and help protect the environment.
This resource also contains tips on how to upgrade your equipment and highlights best practices that
can positively impact your business' daily operations. This guide specifically addresses ENERGY STAR for
Commercial Food Service and other energy-saving options such as: Lamps and Lighting Fixtures, HVAC,
and Water and Waste Management. You can also learn about quick tips, energy-efficient equipment,
and resources for saving energy in restaurants in the two-page, quick-reference Energy Use and Energy
Efficiency Opportunities in Restaurants fact sheet. Restaurants also use a significant amount of water in
daily operations so check out EPA's WaterSense resources to identify water-efficient products and
programs at http://www.epa.gov/watersense/index.html.
Make sure to purchase ENERGY STAR certified Commercial Food Service Equipment for new
construction or to replace aging equipment. This can cut kitchen utility costs without sacrificing features,
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ENERGY STAR® Action Workbook for Small Business - Appendices
quality, or style—all while making significant contributions to a cleaner environment. When choosing
equipment, take into account the total cost of ownership. The purchase price is often a small portion of
the total cost. Certified dishwashers, ice machines, and steam cookers also save water which helps
operators lower their water and sewer bills. See how much an upgrade can save using the Commercial
Kitchen Equipment Savings Calculator.
In addition to energy waste, another avenue for waste reduction that restaurants can consider is
reduction in food waste. The US generates more than 36 million tons of food waste each year. In fact,
since 2010, food waste is the single largest component of municipal solid waste reaching landfills and
incinerators. Often, simple changes in food purchasing, storage, preparation, and service practices can
yield significant reductions in food waste generation. To assist in food recovery, both EPA and the USDA
recommend some of the following steps: reduce the amount of food waste being generated, donate
excess food to food banks, soup kitchens, and shelters; provide food scraps and fats to farmers for feed
and rendering; donate oil for fuel and food discards for animal feed production; recycle food scraps into
a nutrient rich soil amendment such as compost. These steps will all significantly improve your waste
impact, but you can take it a step further by joining the EPA's Food Recovery Challenge (FRC) at
http://www.epa.gov/foodrecoverychallenge. By registering with the FRC, you make it easy to set
baselines, choose your goals, take specific action to reduce waste, and track your progress with the
SMM Data Management System.
F.2 Tips for Energy Saving at Your Restaurant
Refer to Appendix B for general information on lighting, HVAC, as well as other equipment, such as
kitchen equipment and copy machines. Inefficient equipment/lighting not only draws power, but also
emits heat that can contribute to higher cooling bills.
igeration and Other Restaurar ipmerit
ENERGY STAR certification currently is available in eight product categories: commercial hot food
holding cabinets, solid and glass door refrigerators and freezers, fryers, steam cookers, ice machines,
ovens (convection and combination ovens), griddles, and dishwashers. These energy-efficient products
offer energy savings of 10 to 70 percent over standard models, depending upon the product category.
Here are some specific tips for your restaurant:
• Maintain and repair. Leaky walk-in refrigerator gaskets, freezer doors that do not shut, cooking
appliances that have lost their knobs—all these "energy leaks" add up to money wasted each
month. Don't let every day wear and tear drive up your energy bills.
• Cut idle time. If you leave your equipment ON when it is not performing useful work, it costs you
money. Implement a startup/shutdown plan to make sure you are using only the equipment that
you need, when you need it.
• Select ENERC certified appliances. If you're in the market for new equipment, think in terms
of life-cycle costs, which include purchase price, annual energy costs, and other long-term costs
associated with the equipment. While high-efficiency appliances could cost more up front,
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significantly lower utility bills can make up for the price difference. Be sure to ask your dealer or
kitchen designer to supply you with ENERGY STAR certified equipment.
• Recalibrate to stay efficient. The performance of your kitchen equipment changes over time.
Thermostats and control systems can fail, fall out of calibration, or be readjusted. Take the time to
do a regular thermostat check on your appliances, refrigeration, dish machines, and hot water
heaters and reset them to the correct operating temperature.
• Cook wisely. Ovens tend to be more efficient than rotisseries; griddles tend to be more efficient
than broilers. Examine your cooking methods and menu; find ways to rely on your more energy-
efficient appliances to cook for your customers.
ting
Lighting is a significant energy user—averaging 13% of the total energy breakdown of a restaurant—and
is a great place to start an efficiency upgrade. Lighting products that have earned the ENERGY STAR
deliver exceptional features, while using less energy. ENERGY STAR certified lighting products combine
quality and attractive design with the highest levels of energy efficiency available today. ENERGY STAR
certified fixtures typically use one-quarter of the energy consumed by traditional lighting, and they
distribute light more efficiently and evenly than standard fixtures. Be sure to use ENERGY STAR Lighting
Options for Restaurants and Commercial Kitchens as a resource. Some specific tips include:
• Employ bi-level switching. Bi-level switching allows you to control a lighting system in groups of
fixtures or lamps. For example, bi-level switching allows you to turn off half of the lights in a room
off when full illumination is not required.
• Dim the lights. Dimmers are available for both LEDs and CFLs (ensure that you use dimmable CFLs).
Daylight dimmers are special sensors that automatically dim room lights based on the amount of
free and natural daylight available.
• ayliglit sensors (photocells). A common inefficiency of exterior lighting systems is a tendency
to "dayburn," leaving exterior lights on during the day, wasting energy and money. This problem can
be prevented by installing daylight sensors that turn the lights on and off automatically based on
daylight.
• Swap old Open/Closed and EXIT signs with LED lighting for additional energy savings.
• Turn off lights in unoccupied areas and where daylight is sufficient.
• Install occupancy sensors in closets, storage rooms, break rooms, and restrooms. Check the
manufacturer's website for compatibility with controls.
ting and Cooling
ENERGY STAR certified Light Commercial HVAC (LCHVAC) equipment can save a good deal of money for
your facility per year—depending on your current use. To save additional energy in your facility, look for
ENERGY STAR ventilating fans for bathrooms and ceilings. ENERGY STAR certified ventilating fan models
use 70 percent less energy than standard models, and certified ceiling fan/light combination units are
over 50 percent more efficient than conventional units. Here are some tips you can employ in your
restaurant:
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• Change your air filter regularly. Check your filter every month, especially during heavy use months
(winter and summer). If the filter looks dirty after a month, change it. At a minimum, change the
filter every 3 months. A dirty filter will slow down air flow and make the system work harder to keep
you warm or cool—wasting energy.
• Tune up your HVAC equipment yearly. Just as a tune-up for your car can improve your gas mileage,
a yearly tune-up of your heating and cooling system can improve efficiency and comfort. Use the
ENERGY STAR Maintenance Checklist as a guide.
• Install a programmable thermostat. A programmable thermostat is ideal for spaces that are
unoccupied during set periods of time throughout the week.
Although kitchen ventilation is not covered by the ENERGY STAR Program, if you are getting ready to
design a new kitchen or renovate an old one, check out "Improving Commercial Kitchen Ventilation
System Performance," a two-part kitchen ventilation design guide written by the experts at PG&E FSTC
and available at www.fishnick.com/ventilation/designguides.
You can also cut down on heat and smoke spillage in your kitchen by adding inexpensive side panels to
hoods and turning off exhaust hood when appliances aren't being used. Another option is a demand-
based exhaust control system which uses sensors to monitor your cooking and varies the exhaust fan
speed to match your ventilation needs.
F.3 Resources and Links
This section includes online resources that can help your restaurant improve its energy use and energy
efficiency.
• ENERGY STAR Guide for Cafes, Restaurants, and Institutional Kitchens:
www.energystar.gov/ia/partners/publications/pubdocs/Guide%20for%20Cafes%20Restaurants%20and%20lnstitutional%20Kitchens Januarv%202014.pdf
• ENERGY STAR Energy Use and Energy Efficiency Opportunities in Restaurants:
http://www.energvstar.gov/buildings/tools-and-resources/energv-use-and-energy-efficiencv-opportunities-restaurants
• ENERGY STAR Commercial Food Service Equipment:
www.energystar.gov/cfs
• ENERGY STAR for Commercial Kitchens: Helping Customers Manage Costs Through Energy Savings:
www.energystar.gov/ia/products/commercial food service/downloads/ES-CFS Guide 508.pdf
• ENERGY STAR Equipment Savings Fact Sheet:
www.energvstar.gov/ia/products/commercial food service/downloads/restaurant equipment savings factsheet.pdf
• ENERGY STAR Product Savings Fact Sheets:
http://www.energvstar.gov/ia/products/downloads/Sell Sheets.zip
• ENERGY STAR Lighting Options for Restaurants and Commercial Kitchens:
www.energystar.gov/ia/products/commercial food service/downloads/Lighting Fact Sheet for Restaurants FINAL for posting.pdf
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• ENERGY STAR Product Finder:
www.energystar.gov/productfinder
• ENERGY STAR Rebate Finder and the CFS Incentive Guide:
www.energystar.gov/rebatefinder and www.energystar.gov/cfs/incentives
• EPA's WaterSense Partnership Program: www.epa.gov/watersense
• SBA Information for Restaurants:
http://www.sba.gov/content/energy-efficiencv-restaurants
• Consortium for Energy Efficiency's (CEE) Energy Efficiency Program Library:
librarv.ceel.org/content/commercial-kitchens-initiative-description
• The Pacific Gas and Electric Food Service Technology Center: www.fishnick.com
• Green Restaurant Association: www.dinegreen.com
• The National Restaurant Association's Conserve Program: conserve.restaurant.org
• International Council on Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Education: www.chrie.org
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Appendix G - Auto Dealers
Considering that auto dealerships use, on
average, more energy per square foot than a
typical office building (llQkBTU - 93kBTU
respectively), it's important for dealers to
explore all their energy efficiency options.
Fortunately, there are many cost-effective
opportunities that exist for significant
reductions in energy usage. These
opportunities focus on auto dealership-
specific areas of energy use energy such as
compressors, paint booths, lighting, HVAC,
and certain other services, while still maintaining quality, safety, and customer comfort as top priorities.
This appendix is designed to help auto dealers make smart energy decisions that can save time and
money. Read more about these potential improvements in the following sections:
• How to profile your dealership's energy use
• What auto dealer-specific tips can help you save energy and money
• Where to find online resources.
G. 1 Profiling Your Energy Use
The National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA),
https://www.nada.org, has partnered with the EPA since
2007 to help dealers save energy and money through
cost-effective energy efficiency opportunities. With the
help of auto dealerships across the country, NADA is
gathering data to develop a 1 - 100 ENERGY STAR score
for dealerships which wiil then allow dealers to apply for
ENERGY STAR certification. By contributing to this survey, in the future you will be able to receive an
"apples to apples" comparison of your energy performance with that of other dealerships nationwide in
a simple, easy-to-understand number. A score of 50 represents median energy performance, whereas
top-performing dealerships that score a 75 or higher will be eligible to earn ENERGY STAR certification.
G.2 Tips for Energy Saving at Your Dealership
Be sure to refer to Appendix B which includes additional information on lighting, HVAC, windows and
walls, kitchen equipment, as well as office equipment such as computers and copy machines. Inefficient
equipment/lighting not only draws power, but also emits heat that can contribute to higher cooling bills.
You may also consider referring to the ENERGY STAR Building Upgrade Manual as a resource when
looking for more energy savings opportunities at www.energvstar.Kov/BldgManuai.
ENERGY STAR
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ENERGY STAR® Action Workbook for Small Business - Appendices
'pressors
When selecting a compressor, it is important to remember that in addition to your specific performance
needs, compressor types consume energy at different rates. Take a look at the following list to see what
each compressor type offers:
• Reciprocating compressors. This design uses a piston to maintain pressure in a tank. It is prone to
heat build-up in the compressor head and condensation build-up. Reciprocating compressors are
available in a variety of capacities, require moderate maintenance, and are easy to rebuild.
• Scroll compressors. Use a rotating scroll to compress air. They generally are more efficient than
reciprocating designs at higher volumes and more frequent use, and deliver greater volume and
good pressure.
• Centrifugal compressors. Typically used for large shops, they provide large quantities of air at
relatively low pressures. They are low-maintenance, and can be energy-efficient when run at 80
percent or greater of peak capacity throughout the day. They are extremely inefficient at lower
capacities.
For efficient compressor operation:
• Periodically check belts for wear and tension
• Lubricate moving parts per manufacturer's maintenance recommendations
• Frequently empty water separators
• Change air-filters at manufacturer-recommended intervals. Consult a compressor product and
service provider to determine the most appropriate system size and energy efficiency for the
facility.
it Booths
Paint booths are energy-intensive. Automotive refinishing often involves HVLP (High-volume, Low-
pressure) guns that require large volumes of air and ventilation systems necessary to remove vapors and
particulates from the booths. However, today's paint booths are much more efficient than those
available just five to ten years ago, with manufacturers offering premium motors, improved air-flow and
ducting, variable speed drives and controls, and more efficient lighting. When selecting a new paint
booth, ask suppliers if they incorporate these features and if they have data comparing the efficiency of
their booths to other manufacturers'. For existing booths, consult booth suppliers and/or a qualified
electrician to determine if cost-effective energy-efficient features can be retrofitted.
ish and Detailing Facilities
Many dealerships have on-site vehicle washing centers or bays. These range from simple pressure
washers to automated car washes with rollers and dryers. These washers can be extremely energy- and
water-intensive resulting in significant energy costs.
For any new construction, consider the following:
• At a minimum, HID lighting such as metal halide lamps should be specified and, in many
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applications, T8 lamps will provide better energy efficiency.
• Where electricity is the only fuel available, consider heat pumps for water heating. By
concentrating existing heat, heat pumps cost much less to operate than electric resistance heating
and sometimes even gas heating units.
• Where gas is the primary water heating fuel, carefully evaluate boiler efficiencies, looking for a
minimum 8% annual fuel use efficiency (AFUE).
• Maintain boilers regularly, checking for combustion efficiency and sediment.
• Specify NEMA premium motors and consider variable speed drives.
• Evaluate water reclamation systems as they can reduce water use by up to 60 percent.
ors
Bay doors may open and close dozens of times a day as motor vehicles enter and exit, increasing heating
and cooling loads. In some facilities, these doors are left open unnecessarily for long periods of time. To
reduce energy losses from bay doors:
• Check seals to minimize air infiltration. Replace missing cracked or hardened seals.
• For new doors, specify interior and exterior thermal breaks and R-10 or greater.
• For new installations, specify automatic sensor-driven bay door actuators to ensure that doors
close immediately after vehicles or persons enter or exit. Newer high-speed units safely close doors
in a fraction of the time older units take.
• Educate employees on the energy efficiency value of keeping doors shut.
pedal ~ ;k Lighting in Shop Areas
Shop areas require a variety of specialty task lighting. These include mobile task lights, such as the work
or "drag" lights used to illuminate vehicles during servicing. Older drag lights use incandescent lamps or
halogen bulbs, both of which are energy-intensive and inefficient. CFL and LED illuminated drag and
mobile lights now are available. The advantages of these energy-efficient drag lights include:
• Reduced energy consumption. Incandescent drag lights use 60 to 100 watts, fluorescent drag lights
use 12 to 20 watts, and LED drag lights use five to eight watts.
• Increased safety. Incandescent and halogen drag lights can cause severe burns; fluorescent and
LED drag lights will not.
• Improved Durability. Incandescent and halogen drag lights are prone to filament and lamp
breakage. Quality fluorescent work lights are much more durable as they do not have a fragile
filament and are usually surrounded by impact-resistant plastic. LED lighting, which is solid state, is
very resistant to impacts.
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G.3 Resources and Links
This section includes online resources that can help your dealership learn more about energy use and
energy efficiency.
• ENERGY STAR materials for Auto Dealers:
http://www.energvstar.gov/buildings/facility-owners-and-managers/small-biz/auto-dealers
• ENERGY STAR Commercial Light Fixtures:
http://www.energvstar.gov/products/certified-products/detail/7581/partners
• The SBA Energy Efficiency for Auto Dealers:
www.sba.gov/content/energy-efficiencv-auto-dealers
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Appendix H - Lodging
The U.S.' 47,000 hotels and motels
spend about 6% of their operating
costs on energy each year. The varied
nature of the physical facilities and
activities that they host can make
energy management especially
challenging. Whether the facility is a
large convention hotel, part of a
national chain, or a small inn or motel,
it is important that you tailor your
energy plan for your business'
individual needs. The opportunities for
enhanced guest comfort, longer
equipment life, lower operating costs, and an improved corporate image make pursuing energy
efficiency worthwhile.
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, hotels and motels generally use the most
electricity for lighting, followed by cooling. This appendix will help you target energy use in these areas.
However, before you fine-tune your energy program, remember to first use this Small Business Action
Workbook as a resource to help you make simple no- and low-cost changes that can affect your bottom
line energy consumption. This appendix will help you take your energy program one step further by
providing additional guidance tailored for hotels and motels that includes:
• How to profile your energy use
• Tips that can help you save energy and money
• Where to find hotel- and motel-specific, online resources.
H.1 Profiling Your Energy Use
If you own or operate a hotel, motel, bed and breakfast, or guesthouse, you face special challenges
regarding energy management. Hotels and motels operate 24 hours a day, hosting guests and offering
various services and amenities. Guest rooms, public lobbies, banquet facilities and restaurants, lounges,
offices, retail outlets, and swimming pools occupy the building or multiple buildings. Ice machines,
vending machines, and game rooms are often scattered throughout the facilities. Laundries and kitchens
are typically located on-site. The variety of services and amenities provided, and the need to operate
around the clock mean that hotels and motels present abundant opportunities for energy savings.
ENERGY STAR partners in the hospitality industry have greatly reduced their expenditures on energy
through measures such as lighting upgrades in guest rooms, lobbies, and hallways; occupancy-based
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guest-room energy controls; and the installation of energy-efficient water heating equipment, while still
providing benefits for hotel guests, owners, operators, and shareholders.
Hotel and motel buildings may use more or less energy for many reasons, including variable equipment
efficiency and energy management practices, as well as variations in climate and business activities.
Business activity and climate are often correlated with energy consumption. For example, hotels that
have more workers per square foot, more commercial refrigeration units per square foot, and/or
experience more cooling degree days (CDD) use more energy, on average. For other ENERGY STAR
hospitality resources, visit the ENERGY STAR hospitality resources homepage at
http://www.energvstar.gov/buildings/sector-specific-resources/hospitality-resources; this page also
highlights several success stories on industry leaders in sustainability initiatives.
H.2 Tips for Energy Saving at Your Hotel
Be sure to refer to Appendix B which includes additional information on lighting and HVAC. Another
resource you may want to consider is the ENERGY STAR Building Upgrade Manual at
www.energystar.gov/BldgManual. This manual is a comprehensive guide to energy efficiency upgrades
presented in an easy-to-understand framework. Chapter 12 of that manual provides resources and
assistance that can help your hotel or motel achieve exemplary energy-performance goals.
ting
Lighting represents almost a quarter of all electricity consumed in a typical hotel, not including its effect
on cooling loads. Lighting retrofits can reduce lighting electricity use by 50 percent or more, depending
on the starting point, and cut cooling energy requirements by 10 to 20 percent as well. Here are a few
basic strategies to make your lodging facilities more energy efficient:
• Install timers on bathroom heat lamps and consider connecting bathroom exhaust fans to light
switches to reduce excessive operation.
• Replace light bulbs with more efficient ones.
• Use Daylighting. Natural daylight has been shown to improve a hotel's indoor environment while
reducing energy use and peak demand. Whenever possible, any lighting renovation should start by
using daylighting as much as possible and reducing electric lighting accordingly.
• Update lighting with ENERGY STAR certified CFL and LED bulbs. In back-room areas such as kitchens
and office space, incandescent and T12 fluorescent lamps can be replaced with CFLs or LEDs and
high-performance T8 lamps and electronic ballasts, a combination that can reduce lighting energy
consumption by 35 percent. In guest rooms, CFLs and LEDs are becoming the standard for table,
floor, and reading lamps, and in recessed and vanity lighting in the bathroom.
• Install occupancy sensors. Occupancy sensors detect the motion of room occupants, turning off
lights in unoccupied areas and turning them back on when movement is detected. Occupancy
sensors save energy and also help to reduce maintenance costs. Turning fluorescents off for 12
hours each day can extend their expected calendar life by 75 percent, to nearly seven years. In large
restrooms, ceiling-mounted ultrasonic occupancy sensors detect occupants around partitions and
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ENERGY STAR® Action Workbook for Small Business - Appendices
corners. For hallways, a recommended strategy is to use a combination of scheduled lighting and
dimming plus occupancy-sensor controls after hours. Guests may not like a totally darkened hallway,
but dimming lights in unoccupied hallways and stairwells and then turning them up to full brightness
when someone enters is a sensible approach. Occupancy sensors are also appropriate for meeting
rooms and back rooms.
ting and Cooling
Heating and cooling represent almost 40 percent of the electricity and more than half of the natural gas
used by hotels and motels. Many hotels heat and cool rooms regardless of whether they are occupied,
despite studies having shown that hotel rooms are unoccupied for 12 hours a day on average.
• Link your energy management system (EMS), reservation system, and automated check-out system
together to keep an unsold room ventilated but with minimal heating or cooling. A sold room can be
heated or cooled to a comfortable temperature an hour before a guest's scheduled arrival. Once the
guests arrive in the room, they can then adjust the temperature as they like until they check out,
when the HVAC system returns to the unsold mode. An EMS can enhance guest comfort while
reducing energy costs by 35 to 45 percent, for a return on investment of 50 to 75 percent.
• Seal cracks around windows, doors, and through-the-wall or window type HVAC units with caulk
and weather-strip doors and operable windows.
• Change your air filter regularly. Check your filter every month, especially during heavy use months
(winter and summer). If the filter looks dirty after a month, change it. At a minimum, change the
filter every 3 months. A dirty filter will slow down air flow and make the system work harder to keep
you warm or cool—wasting energy.
• Tune up your HVAC equipment yearly. Just as a tune-up for your car can improve your gas mileage,
a yearly tune-up of your heating and cooling system can improve efficiency and comfort.
• During periods of low occupancy, close down entire wings or floors and reduce lighting and HVAC
systems in these areas.
• Assign guests to adjoining rooms to allow the heating and cooling of occupied rooms to act as a
buffer or insulator.
• sekeeping, Maintenan
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ENERGY STAR® Action Workbook for Small Business - Appendices
• Always buy ENERGY STAR certified 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.
• Use power management features: place computers (CPU, hard drive, etc.) into a low-power "sleep
mode" after a designated period of inactivity. You can also purchase a commercial software power
management package.
H.3 Resources and Links
This section includes online resources that can help your business learn more about hotel-specific
energy use and energy efficiency.
• ENERGY STAR Hospitality Resources Home Page:
www.energvstar.gov/buildings/sector-specific-resources/hospitality-resources
• ENERGY STAR DataTrends: Energy Use in Hotels:
www.energystar.gov/sites/default/files/buildings/tools/DataTrends Hotel.pdf
• ENERGY STAR Building Upgrade Manual Chapter 12: Hotels and Motels:
www.energystar.gov/buildings/tools-and-resources/energy-star-building-upgrade-manual-chapter-12-hotels-and-motels
• ENERGY STAR Certified Products: http://www.energvstar.gov/products/certified-products
• ENERGY STAR Computers for Consumers:
www.energvstar.gov/products/certified-products/detail/computers
• ENERGY STAR: Activating Power Management Software:
www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=power mgt.pr power mgt comm packages
• ENERGY STAR Guide to Heating and Cooling:
http://www.energvstar.gov/ia/partners/publications/pubdocs/HeatingCoolingGuide%20FINAL 9-4-09.pdf?0cbe-cc73
• WaterSense Hotel Challenge:
http://www.epa.gov/watersense/commercial/challenge.html
• SBA Information on Energy Efficiency and Lodging:
http://www.sba.gov/content/energy-efficiencv-lodging
• International Council on Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Education: chrie.org
• American Hotel & Lodging Association's Green Resource Center: www.ahla.com/green.aspx
• Green Globe: http://www.greenglobe.com
• "Green" Hotels Association: http://www.greenhotels.com
• Green Restaurant Association: http://www.dinegreen.com
• Green Seal: http://www.greenseal.org
• International Association of Assembly Managers Inc.: http://www.iaam.org
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Appendix I - Offices: Owners and
Tenants
According to the U.S. Energy Information
Administration, office spaces generally use the
most electricity for lighting, followed by cooling,
then computers. This appendix will help you
target energy use in these areas. If you rent office
space, take an active role in improving the
efficiency of your building by contacting your
landlord and collectively establishing performance
goals. However, before you fine-tune your energy
program with office-specific energy upgrades,
remember to first refer to the Small Business
Action Workbook. This resource will help you
make simple no- and low-cost changes that can affect your bottom line energy consumption; and
remember these apply to ali businesses! In particular, refer to Step 2, Assess Performance; this step
outlines how to create an energy baseline for your office in Portfolio Manager, how to benchmark your
office, and how to conduct a technical walkthrough to identify and implement Sure Energy Savers. This
appendix will help you take your energy program one step further by providing additional guidance
tailored for office space that includes:
• How to profile your office's energy use
• What office-specific tips can help you save energy and money
• Where to find office-specific online resources.
1.1 Profiling Your Energy Use
If your business mainly consists of office space, you face specific challenges and opportunities regarding
energy management. For example, if your business rents office space, you may need to coordinate
energy efficient projects with your landlord and/or co-tenants. Facilities that are not active 24 hours a
day can benefit from managing lighting, heating and cooling, and equipment use. Make sure to turn
these services down or off when not in use.
If you are a tenant, ENERGY STAR has published Successes in Sustainability: Landlords and Tenants Team
Up to Improve Energy Efficiency. This 28-page report profiles several commercial real estate owners,
managers, and tenants who are tapping into the power of collaboration to overcome barriers to create
high-performance, sustainable buildings. These innovative organizations demonstrate the value of
retrofitting leased space as green space, measuring and sharing energy data to enable efficiency, and
engaging employees. Their stories serve as models for other landlords and tenants who face challenges
in coming together for top performance.
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ENERGY STAR® Action Workbook for Small Business - Appendices
EPA's ENERGY STAR DataTrends: Energy Use in Office Buildings examines benchmarking and trends in
the energy and water consumption in office spaces. On the whole, office spaces have no "typical
operating profile." Energy use intensity (EUI) varies widely, ranging from less than 100 kBtu per square
foot to more than 1,000 kBtu per square foot across all office buildings.
I. ICE
Be sure to refer to Appendix B which includes additional information on lighting, HVAC, and computers
(as well as other office equipment, such as kitchen equipment and copy machines). Inefficient office
equipment not only draws power, but also emits heat that can contribute to higher cooling bills.
Another resource to consider is the ENERGY STAR Building Upgrade Manual at
www.energystar.gov/BldgManual.
1.2.1 Lighting
Lighting products that have earned the ENERGY STAR deliver exceptional features while using less
energy. ENERGY STAR certified lighting products combine quality and attractive design with the highest
levels of energy efficiency available today. ENERGY STAR certified fixtures typically use one-quarter the
energy of traditional lighting and distribute light more efficiently and evenly than standard fixtures. In
addition to bulbs and fixtures themselves, your office can employ lighting controls and/or sensors to
reduce energy use. Here are some office lighting tips:
• Employ bi-level switching. Bi-level switching allows you to control a lighting system in groups of
fixtures or lamps. For example, bi-level switching allows you to turn off half of the lights in a room
off when full illumination is not required.
• Dim the lights. Dimmers are available for both LEDs and CFLs (ensure that you use dimmable CFLs).
Daylight dimmers are special sensors that automatically dim room lights based on the amount of
free and natural daylight available.
• Install occupancy sensors. Occupancy sensors detect the motion of room occupants, turning off
lights in unoccupied areas and turning them back on when movement is detected.
• aylight sensors (photocells!. A common inefficiency of exterior lighting systems is a tendency
to "dayburn," leaving exterior lights on during the day, wasting energy and money. This problem can
be prevented by installing daylight sensors that turn the lights on and off automatically.
1.2.2 Heating and Cooling
Although heating and cooling systems provide a useful service by keeping employees comfortable, they
also account for a significant portion of a building's energy use—typically about a quarter. However, it is
possible to lessen this impact in both central and unitary systems by increasing their efficiency. For more
information, see the ENERGY STAR Guide to Energy-Efficient Heating and Cooling. Here are some tips
you can employ in your business' office space:
• Change your air filter regularly. Check your filter every month, especially during heavy use months
(winter and summer). If the filter looks dirty after a month, change it. At a minimum, change the
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filter every 3 months. A dirty filter will slow down air flow and make the system work harder to keep
you warm or cool—wasting energy.
• Tune up your HVAC equipment yearly. Just as a tune-up for your car can improve your gas mileage,
a yearly tune-up of your heating and cooling system can improve efficiency and comfort. Use the
ENERGY STAR Maintenance Checklist as a guide.
• Install a programmable thermostat. A programmable thermostat is ideal for office spaces that are
unoccupied during set periods of time throughout the week. Through proper use of pre-
programmed settings, a programmable thermostat can save you about $180 every year in energy
costs.
• Seal your heating and cooling ducts. Ducts that move air to-and-from a forced air furnace, central
air conditioner, or heat pump are often big energy wasters. Sealing and insulating ducts can improve
the efficiency of your heating and cooling system by as much as 20 percent and sometimes much
more. Seethe ENERGY STAR Duct Sealing brochure for more information.
1.2.3 Computers and Oth ice Equipment
ENERGY STAR qualified computers deliver substantial savings over standard models. In fact, if all
computers sold in the U.S. were ENERGY STAR certified products, the U.S. would avoid 15 billion pounds
of greenhouse gas emissions annually (more than $1 billion in energy costs). Desktops, integrated
desktops, notebook (laptop) computers, workstations, and small-scale servers are all eligible to earn the
ENERGY STAR. Check out ENERGY STAR computers for consumers to find ENERGY STAR certified
computer specifications and buying guidance. You can also estimate your office's savings potential for
computers and laptops using the ENERGY STAR Office Equipment Savings Calculator. Here are some tips
to consider for computers and other equipment in your office:
• Always buy ENERGY STAR certified 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.
• Use power management features. Place computers (CPU, hard drive, etc.) into a low-power "sleep
mode" after a designated period of inactivity. You can also purchase a commercial software power
management package.
• Print double sided pages; much more energy is used in the manufacturing and distributing of paper
than the actual printing at your office.
• Many offices have a variety of kitchen appliances such as refrigerators and dishwashers. ENERGY
STAR certified appliances incorporate advanced technologies that use 10% to 50% less energy and
water than standard models.
• Maintain an air-gap of at least three inches between the back of refrigerators, water coolers, and
freezers and the wall. Also, keep condenser coils clean.
• Use timers to ensure that coffee maker heating elements are not operating during off hours.
• Use dishwashers only when full to conserve energy, water, and detergent.
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1.3 Resources and Links
This section includes online resources that can help your business learn more about office-specific
energy use and energy efficiency.
• ENERGY STAR Successes in Sustainability: Landlords and Tenants Team Up to Improve Energy
Efficiency:
www.energvstar.gov/buildings/tools-and-resources/successes-sustainabilitv-landlords-tenants-team-improve-energy-efficiencv
• ENERGY STAR DataTrends: Energy Use in Office Buildings:
www.energvstar.gov/buildings/tools-and-resources/datatrends-energy-use-office-buildings
• ENERGY STAR Building Upgrade Manual: www.energystar.gov/BldgManual
• ENERGY STAR Office Equipment Product Finder:
www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=ofc equip.pr office equipment
• ENERGY STAR Office Equipment Savings Calculator:
http://www.energvstar.gov/sites/default/files/asset/document/Qffice%20Equipment%20Calculator.xlsx
• ENERGY STAR Certified Products: http://www.energvstar.gov/products/certified-products
• ENERGY STAR Computers for Consumers:
www.energvstar.gov/products/certified-products/detail/computers
• ENERGY STAR: Activating Power Management Software:
www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=power mgt.pr power mgt comm packages
• ENERGY STAR Guide to Heating and Cooling:
http://www.energvstar.gov/ia/partners/publications/pubdocs/HeatingCoolingGuide%20FINAL 9-4-09.pdf?0cbe-cc73
• DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy: Buildings Technology Office:
energy.gov/eere/buildings/building-technologies-office
• DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy: Take Action to Save Energy in Commercial
Buildings: energv.gov/eere/buildings/take-action-save-energy-commercial-buildings
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ENERGY STAR" Action Workbook for Small Business - Appendices
Appendix J - Grocery and Convenience
Stores
As a grocery or convenience store
owner/operator, you understand
that energy management is a top
priority in the success and
sustainability of your business.
Therefore it's important to seek
out new ways to reduce your
daily energy usage, whether it's
by optimizing current energy use
or embedding energy awareness
in your company's culture. This
section will be a resource to help
you build an energy efficiency
program that works for your
business. This appendix is organized in the following sections:
• How to profile your store's energy use
• Specific tips to save energy and money
• Additional links and resources for your store.
J. 1 Profiling Your Energy Use
The food-sales industry shares many of the energy-related challenges seen in other business sectors,
such as lighting, heating and cooling, appliances, etc., but what sets it apart is its high dependence on
refrigeration. For supermarkets, grocery stores, or convenience stores, refrigeration may use up to 40
percent of the property's total energy. That's why it's important to maintain refrigeration systems and
to learn about the multitude of energy efficiency options available in today's market. Better technology
and improved practices can be applied to all types of refrigeration equipment, such as reach-in, walk-in,
and under the counter refrigerators/freezers, as well as a multitude of food/drink storage units and
display cases. The following tips are designed to help your business improve the efficiency of its
refrigeration, thereby reducing operating costs, saving energy, and preventing pollution.
J.2 Tips for Energy Saving at your Grocery/Convenience Store
If you'd like to have some general information on how to improve energy use at your place of business,
please refer to Appendix B. The following are helpful tips designed specifically for grocery and
convenience stores:
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ENERGY STAR® Action Workbook for Small Business - Appendices
J.2.1 Refrigeration
• Purchase ENERGY STAR certified refrigerators and freezers which can save you energy and money
over time. You may be able to find rebates for your purchase from ENERGY STAR Partners.
• Keep the doors of all refrigeration and freezer units shut as much as possible as repeated
fluctuations in temperature will damage food quality and cost money.
• Check the temperature settings of your units. If the temperature is set lower than necessary, you
are probably wasting energy. The most common recommended settings are between -14° and -8°
Fahrenheit for freezers and between 35° and 38° Fahrenheit for refrigerators.
• Clean the cooling coils on the backs of all units. Over time, dirt accumulation impairs proper heat
transfer and lowers the efficiency and capacity of refrigerators. As you clean dirt and dust, watch for
ice accumulation on coils and remove that as well.
• Ensure that the door seals on your units clc ly. Having tight seals and properly closing doors
prevents warm air from entering the unit, reducing energy required for cooling as well as preventing
frost build up. Use this rule of thumb: If you can easily slide a dollar bill into the seal, have the seal
adjusted.
J.2.2 Lighting
Lighting products that have earned the ENERGY STAR deliver exceptional features, while using less
energy. ENERGY STAR certified lighting products combine quality and attractive design with the highest
levels of energy efficiency available today. ENERGY STAR certified fixtures typically use one-quarter the
energy of traditional lighting and distribute light more efficiently and evenly than standard fixtures. In
addition to bulbs and fixtures themselves, your store can employ lighting controls and/or sensors to
reduce energy use.
J.2.3 Heating and Cooling
Although heating and cooling systems provide a useful service by keeping customers and employees
comfortable, they also can account for a significant portion of a building's energy use. For more
information, see the ENERGY STAR Guide to Energy-Efficient Heating and Cooling. Here are some tips
you can employ in your retail space:
• Change your air filter regularly. Check your filter every month, especially during heavy use months
(winter and summer). If the filter looks dirty after a month, change it. At a minimum, change the
filter every three months. A dirty filter will slow down air flow and make the system work harder to
keep you warm or cool—wasting energy.
• Tune up your HVAC equipment yearly. Just as a tune-up for your car can improve your gas mileage,
a yearly tune-up of your heating and cooling system can improve efficiency and comfort. Use the
ENERGY STAR Maintenance Checklist as a guide.
• Install a programmable thermostat. A programmable thermostat is ideal for areas that are
unoccupied during set periods of time throughout the week. Rooms that have minimal traffic (such
as stock rooms and warehouses) should be kept cooler in the winter and warmer in the summer.
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ENERGY STAR® Action Workbook for Small Business - Appendices
• Seal your heating and cooling ducts. Ducts that move air to-and-from a forced air furnace, central
air conditioner, or heat pump are often big energy wasters. Sealing and insulating ducts can improve
the efficiency of your heating and cooling system by as much as 20 percent and sometimes much
more. See the ENERGY STAR Duct Sealing brochure for more information.
J.3 Resources and Links
This section includes online resources that can help you and your employees learn more about energy
use and energy efficiency.
• ENERGY STAR Building Upgrade Manual: www.energystar.gov/BldgManual
• ENERGY STAR Commercial Food Service: www.energystar.gov/cfs
• ENERGY STAR Maintenance Checklist:
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=heat cool.pr maintenance
• ENERGY STAR Refrigeration Factsheet:
http://www.energvstar.gov/ia/products/downloads/Refrigerator and Freezer Fact Sheet.pdf
• ENERGY STAR for Commercial Refrigerators and Freezers:
https://www.energvstar.gov/products/certified-products/detail/7597/partners
• ENERGY STAR Heating and Cooling Guide:
http://www.energvstar.gov/ia/partners/publications/pubdocs/HeatingCoolingGuide%20FINAL 9-4-09.pdf?0cbe-cc73
• ENERGY STAR Duct Sealing brochure:
http://www.energystar.gov/ia/products/heat cool/ducts/DuctSealingBrochure04.pdf?0cbe-cc73
• ENERGY STAR Rebate Finder: http://www.energystar.gov/rebate-finder
• SBA Information for Grocery/Convenience Stores:
http://www.sba.gov/content/energv-efficiencv-grocery-and-convenience-stores
• EnergySmart™ Grocer from the National Grid: http://www.energvsmartgrocer.org/ne/index.html
• Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI): http://www.ahrinet.Org/site/l/Home
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ENERGY STAR" Action Workbook for Small Business - Appendices
Appendix K - Small and Medium
Manufacturers
In the U.S., industries spend over
$100 billion annually to power their
manufacturing plants. As a
manufacturer, you understand that
energy management is a top priority
in the success and sustainability of
your business. Therefore it's
important to seek out new ways to
reduce energy in your daily usage,
whether it's by optimizing current
energy use or embedding energy
awareness in your company's
culture. Energy savings matter. This
section will be a resource to help guide
include the following:
• How to profile your plant's energy use
• Manufacturing-specific tips to save energy and money
• Additional links and resources for your plant and business.
K. 1 Profiling Your Energy Use
Energy is used throughout industrial facilities. Fuels heat materials in furnaces or generate hot water
and steam in boilers. Steam dries, heats, or separates product flows. Electricity powers motor systems
for air conditioning, lighting, and appliances. Motor systems pump fluids and compress gases or air and
move them around. Compressed air drives machinery. ENERGY STAR research has demonstrated that all
these systems offer considerable potential for energy-efficiency improvement and energy cost
reductions, for nearly all facilities. If you reduce your energy cost per product, then you can use savings
to grow market share.
Despite the diversity in energy end uses, in most plants just a few pieces of equipment consume the
majority of fuel or electricity. Each plant's energy use distribution is unique, but contains overall
patterns. Motor systems use the greatest amount of electricity in most industrial facilities, followed by
process heating and cooling, building HVAC, and lighting. Process heating, boiler fuel, and combined
heat and power (CHP), and/or cogeneration processes typically dominate fuel use. Energy savings are
dollars that you would have to pay your utility. Why not save them for your business priorities?
you through additional savings energy-saving strategies that
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ENERGY STAR® Action Workbook for Small Business - Appendices
The ENERGY STAR publication, Managing Your Energy: An ENERGY STAR Guide for Identifying Energy
Savings in Manufacturing Plants is an excellent resource for energy savings. This guide contains easy-to-
use information that identifies multiple opportunities for plants to increase efficiency and cut costs.
If you'd like a resource for instructing employees, tour the ENERGY STAR animated manufacturing plant.
This interactive tool shows where you can save energy in industrial buildings and manufacturing
plants—to raise awareness among staff and workers on the benefits and best-practices of energy use in
a manufacturing facility while highlighting the environmental benefits of responsible production.
K.2 Tips for Energy Saving at Your Manufacturing Plant
This section serves as a sample of cost-effective, manufacturing-specific tips and strategies that can help
you reduce energy consumption (based on the ENERGY STAR). Strategies in this section address hot
water and steam, compressed air, motors, and basic manufacturing practices. The information in this
appendix is intended to help energy and plant managers achieve energy reductions while maintaining
product quality.
toft f ems
Manage Motor Systems. Motors are found in your process equipment, HVAC systems, air compressors,
and other systems. The following steps are suggested for managing your motor systems:
• Make sure you first locate and identify all motors in the facility
• Document conditions and specifications of each motor to provide a current systems inventory
• Assess the needs and the actual use of the motor systems to determine if motors are properly sized
for the equipment being served and how the motor is being operated.
• Collect information on potential repairs and upgrades to the motor systems, including the
economic costs and benefits of implementing repairs and upgrades, to enable the energy-
efficiency improvement decision-making process
• If upgrades are pursued, monitor the performance of the upgraded motor systems to determine
actual costs savings.
• For equipment that runs at different speeds, consider installing Adjustable-Speed Drives (ASD) or
Variable-Speed Drives (VSD) to better match speed to load requirements for motor operations, and
therefore ensure that motor energy use is optimized to a given application. Energy savings may vary
from 7% to as high as 60%.
e a Motor Management Plan. A motor management plan is another essential part of a plant's
energy management strategy. It helps to support long-term motor system energy savings and to ensure
that motor failures are handled quickly and cost effectively. The National Electrical Manufacturers
Association (NEMA) and other organizations have created the Motor Decisions Matter (MDM) campaign
to help industrial and commercial customers evaluate their motor repair and replacement options,
promote cost-effective applications of NEMA Premium motors as well as "best practice" repair, and
support the development of motor management plans before motors fail. The national campaign
suggests the following actions for a sound motor management plan (MDM 2007):
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ENERGY STAR® Action Workbook for Small Business - Appendices
• Prepare for motor failure by creating a spares inventory
• Develop a purchasing specification
• Develop a repair specification
• Develop and implement a predictive and preventive maintenance program
• Develop guidelines for proactive replace/repair decisions.
For more information, download the Motor Decisions Matter Motor Planning Kit as a guide to assist in
your motor management plan. This planning kit aims to increase productivity and reliability while
minimizing motor downtime, reducing operating costs, and conserving energy.
K.2.2 Compressed Air
Compressed air is one of the least energy efficient systems in an industrial plant because of the amount
of energy required for compression and distribution. If compressed air is used, it should be at the
minimum quantity for the shortest possible time, and it should be constantly monitored and reweighed
against alternatives. Inadequate maintenance can lower compression efficiency and increase air leakage
or pressure variability, and can lead to increased operating temperatures, poor moisture control, and
excessive contamination of compressed air system components. Consider the following maintenance
suggestions to reduce these problems and save energy:
• Blocked pipeline filters increase pressure drop. Keep the compressor and intercooling surfaces
clean and foul-free by inspecting and periodically cleaning filters. Use filters with just a 1 pound per
square inch (psi) pressure drop. The payback period for filter cleaning is usually under two years.
Fixing improperly operating filters will also prevent contaminants from entering into tools, which
causes them to wear out prematurely.
• Monitor motor cooling. Poor motor cooling can increase motor temperature and wind resistance,
shortening motor life and increasing energy consumption. Keep motors and compressors properly
lubricated and cleaned. Sample and analyze compressor lubricant every 1,000 hours and ensure that
it is at the proper level. In addition to energy savings, this maintenance can help avoid system
corrosion and degradation.
• Monitor compressed air use. As with maintenance, proper monitoring of compressed air systems
can save energy and money. Proper monitoring includes the following:
S Pressure gauges on each receiver or main branch line, and differential gauges across dryers and
filters
S Temperature gauges across the compressor and its cooling system to detect fouling and
blockages
S Flow meters to measure the quantity of air used
S Dew point temperature gauges to monitor air dryer effectiveness
S Kilowatt-hour meters and hours-run meters on the compressor drive.
• Reduce leaks in pipes and equipment. Air leaks can be a significant source of wasted energy. A
typical plant that has not been well maintained could have a leak rate from 20% to 50% of total
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ENERGY STAR® Action Workbook for Small Business - Appendices
compressed air production capacity. Leak repair and maintenance can reduce this number to less
than 10%. Overall, fixing leaks in a compressed air system is projected to reduce annual energy
consumption by 20%.
A simple way to detect large leaks is to apply soapy water to suspect areas, or to use a bag to
monitor the velocity of the air filling the bag, although this may be time consuming. In the "bag
test," a plastic bag is put up to the leak and used to monitor the velocity of the air filling the bag. The
best way to detect leaks is to use an ultrasonic acoustic detector, which can recognize the high-
frequency hissing sounds associated with air leaks. After identifying them, leaks should be tracked,
repaired, and verified.
• Turn off unnecessary compressed air. Equipment that is no longer using compressed air should
have the air turned off completely. This can be done using a simple solenoid valve. Check
compressed air distribution systems when equipment has been reconfigured to ensure no air is
flowing to unused equipment or obsolete parts of the compressed air distribution system.
• Reduce pressure. Try to use the lowest possible pressure level to operate the system.
K.2.3 Stec tems
The most important industrial applications for steam are process heating, drying, concentrating, steam
cracking, distillation, and driving machinery such as compressors. Whatever the use or the source of the
steam, efficiency improvements in steam generation, distribution, and end use are possible.
Boiler Energy Efficiency Measures
The boiler energy-efficiency measures presented below focus primarily on improved process control,
reduced heat loss, and improved heat recovery. When new boiler systems are needed, they should be
designed and installed in a custom configuration that meets that particular plant's needs. Often, pre-
designed boilers cannot be fine-tuned to meet the unique steam generation and distribution system
requirements of a specific plant in the most efficient manner:
• G lei" tune-up. When too much excess air is used to burn fuel, energy is wasted because
excessive heat is transferred to the air rather than to the steam. Air slightly in excess of the
ideal fuel-to-air ratio will cause the boiler to run inefficiently. A boiler tune-up will help ensure
your boiler has the right fuel-to-air ratio.
• Control boiler processes. Flue gas monitors maintain optimum flame temperature and monitor
carbon monoxide (CO), oxygen, and smoke. A small 1% air infiltration will result in 20% higher
oxygen readings. A higher CO or smoke content in the exhaust gas is a sign that there is insufficient
air to complete fuel burning. Using a combination of CO and oxygen readings, it is possible to
optimize the fuel/air mixture for high flame temperature (and thus the best energy efficiency) and
lower air pollutant emissions.
• Reduce flue gas quantities using visual inspection. Often excessive flue gas results from leaks in the
boiler and/or in the flue. These leaks can reduce the heat transferred to the steam and increase
pumping requirements. However, such leaks are often easily repaired, saving 2% to 5% of the
energy formerly used by the boiler.
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ENERGY STAR® Action Workbook for Small Business - Appendices
• Property size boiler systems. Designing the boiler system to operate at the proper steam pressure
can save energy by reducing stack temperature, piping radiation losses, and leaks in steam traps.
Costs and savings will depend heavily on the current boiler system utilization at individual plants.
• Improve boiler insulation. It is possible to use new insulation materials, such as ceramic fibers, that
both insulate better and have a lower heat capacity (thus allowing for more rapid heating). Savings
of 6% to 26% can be achieved if improved insulation is combined with improved heater circuit
controls. Due to the lower heat capacity of new insulating materials, the steam output temperature
will vary more quickly with variations in the heating element temperature.
• Impleme lei" maintenance program. A simple maintenance program to ensure that all boiler
components are operating at peak performance can result in substantial savings. In the absence of a
good maintenance system, burners and condensate return systems can become worn out.
• Return condensate to the boiler. Reusing hot condensate in boilers saves energy, reduces the need
for treated boiler feed water, and reclaims water at up to 212F of sensible heat.
i Distribution System Energy Efficiency Measures
Steam and hot water distribution systems are often quite extensive and can be major sources of energy
loss. Energy efficiency improvements to steam distribution systems primarily focus on reducing heat
losses throughout the system and recovering useful heat from the system wherever feasible. The
following measures are some of the most significant opportunities for saving energy in industrial steam
distribution systems:
• Improve distribution system insulation. Using more insulating material or using the best insulation
material for the application can save energy in steam systems. Crucial factors in choosing insulating
material include low thermal conductivity, dimensional stability under temperature change,
resistance to water absorption, and resistance to combustion.
• Maintain distribution system insulation. It is often found that after heat distribution systems have
undergone some form of repair, the insulation is not replaced. Additionally, some types of insulation
can become brittle or rot over time. A regular inspection and maintenance system for insulation can
save energy.
• Improve stea Modern thermostatic element steam traps can reduce energy use while
improving reliability. Their main efficiency advantages are that they open when the temperature is
very close to that of saturated steam, purge non-condensable gases after each opening, and are
open on startup to allow a fast steam system warm-up. These traps also have the advantage of
being highly reliable and useable for a range of steam pressures.
• Maintain and monitor steam traps. A simple program of checking steam traps to ensure that they
are operating properly can save significant amounts of energy for very little money. In the absence
of such a program, it is common to find 15% to 20% of steam traps in a distribution system
malfunctioning. Attaching automated monitors to steam traps in conjunction with a maintenance
program can save even more energy without significantly adding costs.
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ENERGY STAR® Action Workbook for Small Business - Appendices
• Repair leaks. As with steam traps, steam distribution piping networks often have leaks that can go
undetected without a regular inspection and maintenance program. The U.S. DOE estimates that
repairing leaks in an industrial steam distribution system will lead to energy savings of 5% to 10%.
Manufacturing Processes
Improving operating practices for energy efficiency is an excellent and simple source of no-cost savings
opportunities. Try to practice the following as much as possible:
• Turn off idling equipment, machines, and systems
• Reduce startup and shutdown times for equipment, machines, and systems if possible
• Make sure systems are optimized and maintained for maximum productivity.
K.3 Resources and Links
• ENERGY STAR Small & Medium Manufacturer's Guide to Energy Management:
www.energystar.gov/SmallManufacturers
• ENERGY STAR Industrial Energy Management Information Center:
https://www.energystar.gov/buildings/facilitv-owners-and-managers/industrial-plants/industrial-energy-management-information-center
• ENERGY STAR Challenge for Industry: www.energystar.gov/industrvchallenge
• ENERGY STAR Energy Treasure Hunt Guide: Simple Steps to Finding Energy Savings:
http://www.energystar.gov/treasurehunt
• ENERGY STAR Industrial Plant Employee Awareness Posters:
www.energystar.gov/plantposters
• ENERGY STAR Bring your Green to Work: Interactive Manufacturing Plant:
www.energystar.gov/work
• ENERGY STAR Directory of Industrial Service and Product Providers:
www.energystar.gov/ispp
• DOE Industrial Facility Tool Suite:
http://wwwl.eere.energy.gov/manufacturing/tech assistance/software facilities.html
• DOE Industrial Assessment Centers:
http://energy.gov/eere/amo/industrial-assessment-centers-iacs
• SBA Energy Efficiency for Small and Medium-Sized Manufacturers:
http://www.sba.gov/content/energy-efficiencv-small-and-medium-sized-manufacturers
• Motor Decisions Matter Motor Planning Kit:
http://www.motorsmatter.org/tools/mpkv21.pdf
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ENERGY STAR" Action Workbook for Small Business - Appendices
Appendix L - Home-Based Businesses
"What do Apple Computer, Hershey's, Mary Kay
Cosmetics, and the Ford Motor Company have in
common? These well-known corporations all started out
as home-based businesses. More than half of all U.S.
businesses are based out of an owner's home" (U.S.
Small Business Administration). If your business is home-
based, energy efficient projects will affect both your
personal and professional bottom line. To get started,
consider participating in Home Performance with
ENERGY STAR, a program administered by the DOE in
conjunction with the EPA. Participants improve their
homes' energy efficiency with whole house solutions;
typically yielding a utility bill savings of 20% or more.
Home improvements fall into six general categories: 1)
sealing air ducts and adding insulation; 2) improving
heating and cooling systems; 3) sealing ductwork; 4)
replacing windows; 5) upgrading lighting, appliances,
and water heating equipment; and 6) installing
renewable energy systems. You may choose to implement energy projects in one or more of these
areas. Further, as your home is also your workplace, consider the top energy consumers in typical office
spaces: lighting, cooling, and computers. The first projects you choose to implement may be in areas
where home and business uses overlap (e.g. lighting). This appendix will help you take your home
energy program one step further by providing additional guidance tailored for you that includes:
• How to profile your home's energy use
• Tips that can help you save energy and money
• Online resources to support your home-based business' energy program.
L1 Profiling Your Energy Use
To profile your energy use, assess the energy efficiency of your home and see how it measures using the
ENERGY STAR Home Energy Yardstick. This tool provides a simple assessment of your home's annual
energy use compared to similar homes. By answering a few basic questions about your home, you can
get:
• Your home's Home Energy Yardstick score (on a scale of 1 to 10)
• Insights into how much of your home's energy use is related to heating and cooling versus other
everyday uses like appliances, lighting, and hot water
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ENERGY STAR® Action Workbook for Small Business - Appendices
• Links to guidance from ENERGY STAR on how to increase your home's score, improve comfort, and
lower utility bills
• An estimate of your home's annual carbon emissions.
Once you have your Home Energy Yardstick score, you will be able to determine next steps. If you have a
very low score, you may consider a home energy audit and/or participation in the Home Performance
program. You may also choose to hire a contractor, or implement energy efficient projects yourself.
L.2 Tips for Energy Saving at Home
Be sure to refer to Appendix B - Project Sectors-Energy and Water, which includes additional
information on lighting, heating and cooling, and computers (as well as other office equipment, such as
kitchen equipment and copy machines). Inefficient office equipment not only draws power, but also
emits heat that can contribute to higher cooling bills. Find in this section tips for home improvements in
the six categories identified by the Home Performance program (with an additional section for
computers and other office equipment).
1.2. f Insulation
Air that leaks through your home's envelope—the outer walls, windows, doors, and other openings-
wastes a lot of energy and increases your utility costs. A well-sealed envelope, coupled with the right
amount of insulation, can make a real difference on your utility bills. Most homes in the U.S. don't have
enough insulation and have significant air leaks. In fact, if you added up all the leaks, holes, and gaps in a
typical home's envelope, it would be the equivalent of having a window open every day of the year!
• Seal and insulate your attic. Air sealing in the attic is generally a challenging do-it-yourself project,
but the benefits can be substantial.
• Seal and insulate your basement or crawl space. Sealing air leaks and adding insulation in the
basement are generally considered moderate to difficult do-it-yourself projects; if you're not
comfortable taking on this project yourself, there are many qualified contractors who can help you
get the work done.
L.2.2 Ductwork
In houses with forced-air heating and cooling systems, ducts are used to distribute conditioned air
throughout the house. In a typical house, about 20 to 30 percent of the air that moves through the duct
system is lost due to leaks, holes, and poorly connected ducts. The result is higher utility bills and
difficulty keeping the house comfortable, no matter how the thermostat is set.
• Seal your heating and cooling ducts. Sealing and insulating ducts can improve the efficiency of your
heating and cooling system by as much as 20 percent and sometimes much more. See the ENERGY
STAR Duct Sealing brochure for more information.
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ENERGY STAR® Action Workbook for Small Business - Appendices
L.2.3 Heating and Cooling Systems
Although heating and cooling systems provide a useful service by keeping you and your employees
comfortable, they also account for a significant portion of a home's energy use; as much as half of the
energy used in your home goes to heating and cooling. For more information, see how to Heat and Cool
Efficiently. Here are some tips you can employ in your home:
• Change your air filter regularly. Check your filter every month, especially during heavy use months
(winter and summer). If the filter looks dirty after a month, change it. At a minimum, change the
filter every three months. A dirty filter will slow down air flow and make the system work harder to
keep you warm or cool—wasting energy.
• Tune up your HVAC equipment yearly. Just as a tune-up for your car can improve your gas mileage,
a yearly tune-up of your heating and cooling system can improve efficiency and comfort. Use the
ENERGY STAR Maintenance Checklist as a guide.
• Install a programmable thermostat. A programmable thermostat is ideal for office spaces that are
unoccupied during set periods of time throughout the week. Through proper use of pre-
programmed settings, a programmable thermostat can save you about $180 every year in energy
costs.
dows
Replacing old windows with ENERGY STAR certified windows lowers household energy bills by 7 - 15
percent. Lower energy consumption also reduces greenhouse gas emissions from power plants and
shrinks a house's carbon footprint. You may also:
• Caulk and weather-strip around windows and doors. Check for signs of air leakage around windows
and doors. Then use caulk and weather-stripping to stop the leaks.
• Use drapes to stay comfortable. During cold weather, take advantage of the sun's warmth by
keeping drapes open on south facing windows during daylight hours. To keep out the heat of the
summer sun, close window shades and drapes in warm weather.
• Make sure your windows and doors are closed when the air conditioning or heat is on to keep the
warmed or cooled air in the house.
• Replace your screens with storm windows. During the winter months, replace screens with storm
windows to provide an extra barrier to the cold outside air. This will help create a more comfortable
living space inside your home.
ting, Appliances, and Water Heating Equipment
Lighting products that have earned the ENERGY STAR deliver exceptional features, while using less
energy. ENERGY STAR certified lighting products combine quality and attractive design with the highest
levels of energy efficiency available today. ENERGY STAR certified fixtures typically use one-quarter the
energy of traditional lighting and distribute light more efficiently and evenly than standard fixtures. In
addition to bulbs and fixtures themselves, your home office can employ lighting controls and/or sensors
to reduce energy use.
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ENERGY STAR® Action Workbook for Small Business - Appendices
Water heaters are the second highest source of energy usage in the home. ENERGY STAR certified water
heaters use 14 - 55% less energy than equipment that meets the minimum federal standard. Here are
some lighting and water heating tips:
• Replace incandescent light bulbs with ENERGY STAR certified LEDs or CFL bulbs. The ENERGY STAR
label lets you know this bulb is independently certified and has undergone extensive testing to
ensure energy savings and performance promises.
• Choose ENERGY STAR light fixtures. If every U.S. household replaced the five most frequently used
light fixtures with ENERGY STAR certified fixtures, it would prevent greenhouse gas emissions
equivalent to those from 10 million cars.
• Dim the lights. Dimmers are available for both LEDs and CFLs (ensure that you use dimmable CFLs).
Daylight dimmers are special sensors that automatically dim room lights based on the amount of
free and natural daylight available.
• Choose an ENERi ;i Electric Heat Pump or Gas Storage water heater.
• Insulate your electric water heater. Wrap your water heater in an insulating jacket. Increased
insulation slows heat loss through the walls of the water heater. Even if your water heater is in a
heated part of your home, energy loss through the walls of the water heater can be significant.
• Lower your water heater temperature. Set your water heater thermostat at 120 degrees F or lower.
This way you'll reduce the amount of energy it takes to produce and maintain your hot water by not
overheating it.
tputers and Oth ice Equipment
ENERGY STAR certified computers deliver substantial savings over standard models. Desktops,
integrated desktops, notebook (laptop) computers, workstations, and small-scale servers are all eligible
to earn the ENERGY STAR. Here are some tips to consider for computers and other equipment in your
office:
• Always buy ENERGY STAR certified products. The ENERGY STAR mark indicates the most efficient
computers, printers, copiers, televisions, windows, thermostats, ceiling fans, and other appliances
and equipment.
• Use power management features: place computers (CPU, hard drive, etc.) into a low-power "sleep
mode" after a designated period of inactivity. You can also purchase a commercial software power
management package.
• Print double-sided pages; much more energy is used in the manufacturing and distributing of paper
than the actual printing at your office.
isti ¦ewable energy systems
Once you have made energy efficiency improvements to your home, you may consider additional
measures, such as installing solar panels or a solar hot water system. An ENERGY STAR certified solar
water heating system can cut your annual hot water costs in half, and is generally designed for use with
an electric or gas back-up water heater.
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ENERGY STAR® Action Workbook for Small Business - Appendices
L.3 Resources and Links
This section includes online resources that can help your home-based business:
• Home Performance with ENERGY STAR:
www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=hpwes profiles. showSplash&s=mega
• ENERGY STAR Home Energy Yardstick:
www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=HOME ENERGY YARDSTICK.showGetStarted&s=mega
• ENERGY STAR Energy Savings at Home: www.energystar.gov/campaign/wavsToSave
• ENERGY STAR Maintenance Checklist:
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=heat cool.pr maintenance
• ENERGY STAR Home Energy Audits:
www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=home improvement.hm improvement audits
• ENERGY STAR Recommendations for Finding a Contractor:
www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=home improvement.hm improvement contractors
• ENERGY STAR Attic Air Sealing Project:
www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=home sealing.hm improvement attic
• ENERGY STAR Basement and Crawlspace Air Sealing and Insulating:
www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=home sealing.hm improvement basement
• ENERGY STAR Heating and Cooling Guide:
http://www.energvstar.gov/ia/partners/publications/pubdocs/HeatingCoolingGuide%20FINAL 9-4-09.pdf?0cbe-cc73
• ENERGY STAR Duct Sealing brochure:
http://www.energystar.gov/ia/products/heat cool/ducts/DuctSealingBrochure04.pdf?0cbe-cc73
• ENERGY STAR Rebate Finder: http://www.energystar.gov/rebate-finder
• ENERGY STAR Office Equipment Savings Calculator:
www.energvstar.gov/sites/default/files/asset/document/Qffice%20Equipment%20Calculator.xlsx
• ENERGY STAR: Activating Power Management Software:
www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=power mgt.pr power mgt comm packages
• ENERGY STAR Qualified Solar Water Heaters:
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=solar wheat.pr savings benefits
• Renewable Energy Ready Home Solar Site Assessment Tool:
https://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=rerh.assessment
• WaterSense Homes Program: http://www.epa.gov/watersense/new homes/index.html
• SBA Energy Efficiency for Home Based Businesses:
www.sba.gov/content/energy-efficiencv-home-based-businesses
• Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory's Home Energy Saver: hes.lbl.gov/consumer/
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ENERGY STAR® Action Workbook for Small Business - Appendices
Appendix M -SBA Energy Efficiency
Resources
»jA
The SBA was created in 1953 as an independent agency
of the federal government to aid, counsel, assist, and
protect the interests of small business concerns, to
preserve free competitive enterprise and to maintain
and strengthen the overall economy of our nation.
T. rnA ... „u ¦ U.S. Small Business Administration
The SBA recognizes that small business is critical to our
economic recovery and strength, to building America's future, and to helping the U.S. compete in
today's global marketplace. Although the SBA has grown and evolved in the years since it was
established in 1953, the bottom line mission remains the same. The SBA helps Americans start, build,
and grow businesses.
Today, there's a new focus on environmental responsibility, and the SBA can help your small businesses
make a difference. Help protect our ecosystem and serve your customers who value your environmental
efforts. When considering an energy policy and energy efficiency improvements, consult the SBA's
Green Business Guide at https://www.sba.gov/green-business-guide. This includes information on:
• Green marketing. If you are already competitive in terms of price, quality and performance, adding
sustainability and green marketing to your business strategy may enhance your brand image.
• Green business case studies. Find out about a few of the most well-known green business and their
commitments to economic success.
• Green business practices. Every business can make simple changes that save energy costs and
natural resources.
• Green certification and eco-labeling. Eco-labeling is important way to market your product to green
consumers and differentiate your product or service as environmentally sound.
• Environmental grants and loans. Find financial resources to pay for energy efficient upgrades to
your facilities, to finance your business's innovative environmental products and technologies and to
support your environmentally friendly business.
• Green commuting. Learn more about green alternatives to your daily commute.
In addition to the Green Business Guide, the SBA offers several energy efficiency programs highlighted in
the appendix. These include: 1) Certified Development Company (CDC) Energy Efficiency Public Policy
Incentives; 2) the Economy, Energy, and the Environment (E3) program; 3) the Small Business Innovation
Research (SBIR) Program; and 4) Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) Program. This appendix also
contains additional SBA online resources and links.
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ENERGY STAR® Action Workbook for Small Business - Appendices
M.1 CDC Energy Efficiency Public Policy Incentives
The CDC/504 loan program provides financial assistance to small businesses that design, engineer,
manufacture, distribute, market, install, or service energy saving equipment. Loan proceeds can be used
for land acquisition, plant construction, equipment, and supplies needed to develop energy
conservation devices or techniques.
Within the SBA's 504 loan program, an entrepreneur's project can qualify for a debenture, or long-term
fixed-rate financing for major fixed assets (up to $5 million). Under the Energy/Efficiency Public Policy
Goals, the applicant's project can qualify for a larger debenture amount ($5.5 million) if any of the
following goals are met:
• Reduction of energy consumption by at least 10% from an existing business
• Replacing an existing facility by buying/constructing a new one that uses at least 10% less energy
(Note: the new facility must be located in same general area)
• Increased use of sustainable designs that reduce the use of greenhouse gas and non-renewable
resources and minimize harmful environmental impact
• Installation of equipment and/or upgrades that will process renewable energy sources, including
biodiesel and ethanol producers.
There can be more than one project (for small manufacturers and eligible energy projects) for the same
applicant or for its affiliates provided the SBA determines that each project meets prudent lending
standards. In addition, the applicant must document the project's compliance through an energy audit,
engineering report, or other professional evaluation.
RAM
E3 is a technical assistance framework that counsels manufacturers and manufacturing supply chains
through community engagement to adapt and thrive in today's green economy. The SBA engages its
Small Business Development Center (SBDC) network to provide existing services which may include pre-
participation financial stability assessments of prospective E3 companies, and business counseling
services to small businesses involved in E3 projects or not yet involved due to financial constraints. The
SBA also provides information about lending resources and securing SBA guaranteed loans to implement
recommendations from on-site technical reviews. Current partners include a number of federal agencies
like the SBA, the DOE, the EPA, the Department of Commerce/ National Institute of Standards and
Technology, and the Department of Labor, among others.
M.3 SBIR Program
The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program is a highly competitive program that encourages
domestic small businesses to engage in Federal Research/Research and Development (R/R&D) that has
the potential for commercialization.
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ENERGY STAR® Action Workbook for Small Business - Appendices
An SBIR small business is defined as a for-profit organization with no more than 500 employees. The EPA
is one of 11 federal agencies that participate in the SBIR program. The EPA issues annual solicitations for
Phase I and Phase II research proposals from science and technology-based firms. Under Phase I, the
scientific merit and technical feasibility of the proposed concept is investigated. EPA awards firm-fixed-
price Phase I contracts of up to $80,000 for 6 months. Through this phased approach to SBIR funding,
EPA can determine whether the research idea, often on high-risk advanced concepts, is technically
feasible, whether the firm can do high-quality research, and whether sufficient progress has been made
to justify a larger Phase II effort.
Phase II contracts are limited to small businesses that have successfully completed their Phase I
contracts. The objective of Phase II is to develop and commercialize the Phase I technology. Competitive
awards are based on the results of Phase I and the commercialization potential of the Phase II
technology. In Phase II, the EPA awards contracts of up to $300,000 for two years. EPA also offers a
"Commercialization Option" of up to $70,000 and one additional year for firms with third party financing
for accelerating commercialization.
• ¦! • ' OGRAM
In 2011, the SBA launched an Impact Investment Fund that provides roughly $200 million a year to
Impact SBICs that invest with the goal of maximizing financial returns and generating enhanced social,
environmental, or economic impact. Alongside investments in underserved geographies and the
education sector, the Impact Fund has designated "clean energy" as a national priority sector.
Investment funds that meet the qualifications for an SBIC license and which focus on investments in the
clean energy sector are eligible for an Impact SBIC license and an expedited application review process.
In 2012, the SBA introduced its second energy-related change to the SBIC Program with its launch of the
Energy-Savings Debenture (ESD). Included as part of the Energy Independent and Security Act of 2007,
the ESD is a financing instrument available to all SBICs but which can only be used for investments
related to energy-saving activities. Together, these two elements of the SBIC Program are meant to
attract fund managers with the expertise needed to identify and finance promising small businesses
active in the clean energy economy.
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ENERGY STAR® Action Workbook for Small Business - Appendices
M.5 SBA Resources and Links
• Green Business Guide: www.sba.gov/green-business-guide
• Small Business Loans: www.sba.gov/category/navigation-structure/loans-grants
• Small Loans and Grants Search Tool: www.sba.gov/loans-and-grants
• CDC/504 Loan Program: www.sba.gov/offices/headquarters/oca/resources/5991
• Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) / Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR):
www.sbir.gov
• Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) Program:
www.sba.gov/categorv/lender-navigation/sba-loan-programs/sbic-program-0
• SBIC Impact Investment Fund:
www.sba.gov/categorv/lender-navigation/sba-loan-programs/sbic-program/general-information/impact-investment-sbic
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ENERGY STAR" Action Workbook for Small Business - Appendices
Appendix N - EPA Green Power
Partnership
EPA's Green Power Partnership is a voluntary
program helping to increase the use of green
power among leading U.S. organizations.
Organizations are encouraged to purchase
green power as a way to reduce the
environmental impacts associated with
conventional electricity use.
The Green Power Partnership works with more than a thousand leading organizations, including Fortune
500® companies, local, state, and federal government agencies, manufacturers and retailers, trade
associations, and a growing number of colleges and universities. Partners are purchasing billions of
kilowatt-hours (KWh) of green power annually, which has the equivalent impact of removing the
emissions of hundreds of thousands of passenger cars from the road each year.
An organization can benefit from partnering with EPA's Green Power Partnership by taking advantage of
the credibility, expert advice, recognition, and up-to-date market information that EPA provides.
Specifically, Green Power Partnership offers the following assistance to organizations that join the
Partnership:
• Why Use Green Power? EPA's Green Power Partnership will assist in identifying the green power
products that best meet an organization's goals.
• Publicity and Recognition. The Green Power Partnership actively promotes and recognizes Green
Power Partners as environmental leaders.
• Tools and Resources. EPA offers organizations a variety of tools and information located on the
Partnership website at http://www.epa.gov/greenpower to explain and take the guesswork out of
green power purchases.
• Credibility. Participation in the Green Power Partnership signifies an organization's green power use
meets nationally accepted standards in terms of size, content, and resource base.
N. 1 Join the Green Power Partnership
EPA invites your organization to join the hundreds of other U.S. organizations that are improving their
environmental performance and reducing the risks associated with climate change by switching to green
power. To join, organizations must procure green power at a level that meets or exceeds Partnership
benchmarks (see below), sign a simple Partnership Agreement, and agree to update EPA on their green
power use annually. For more details please see www.epa.gov/greenpower/ioin. Figure N.l-1 describes
the Green Power purchase requirements.
&ERA
GREEN
POWER
PARTNERSHIP
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ENERGY STAR" Action Workbook for Small Business - Appendices
Green Power Purchase Requirements
Your Organization's Baseload
if your annual electricity use in
kilowatt-hours is...
Green Power Partner
Requirements
You must, at a minimum, use
this much green power
Green Power Leadership Club
Requirements
You must, at a minimum, use
this much green power
>100,000,001 kWh
3% of your use
30% of your use
10,000,001 - 100,000,000 kWh
5% of your use
50% of your use
1,000,001 - 10,000,000 kWh
10% of your use
100% of your use
<1,000,000 kWh
20% of your use
Not Applicable
In addition, the minimum Partner and Leadership Club purchase requirements must be entirely met with
power from "new" renewable facilities (i.e., installed within the last 15 years).
Figure N.1-1. Green Power Purchase Requirements
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ENERGY STAR® Action Workbook for Small Business - Appendices
Appendix 0 - EPA Office of Small
Business Programs
Thinking Small Business First:
Professionalism, Innovation, Collaboration, Advocacy
Mission Statement: The mission of the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency's Office of Small Business Programs is to support the
protection of human health and the environment by advocating and
advancing the business, regulatory, and environmental compliance
concerns of small and socio-economically disadvantaged businesses.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Small Business
Programs (OSBP) at http://www.epa.gov/osbp, under the Office of the Administrator, advocates and
fosters opportunities for direct and indirect partnerships, contracts, and sub-agreements for small
businesses and socio-economically disadvantaged businesses. Additionally, OSBP furthers its overall
small business advocacy through the Agency's Asbestos and Small Business Ombudsman, where the
regulatory and environmental compliance concerns of small businesses are addressed. Below are the
key responsibilities for each OSBP component.
Greening Small Business Responsibilities
• Smart Steps to Sustainability- A Greening Guide for Small Business
• Conduit between small business and EPA's voluntary programs
• Advocate for small business greening tools and resources
Direct Procurement Key Responsibilities:
• Acquisition review and approvals
• Procurement data and performance measurement
• Small business consultation, guidance and advocacy
Disadvantage Business Enterprise (Indirect Procurement) Key Responsibilities
• Developing and monitoring EPA's indirect procurement (through grants) policy and procedures
• Providing outreach and training on indirect procurement within the agency and to the public
• Providing technical and programmatic assistance to minority and women-owned businesses
Asbestos Small Business Ombudsman Key Responsibilities
• Small business advocate in regulatory process
• Asbestos and small business assistance hotline
• Compliance assistance for small businesses that are heavily regulated
• State 507 program for small business environmental assistance throughout the country
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