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appliances. Expect to save 20 to 30 percent of heating and cooling costs in the affected areas. Use occupancy sensors. Electronic occupancy sensors automatically shut lights off when a room becomes vacant, and turn them on again when someone reenters. These devices ensure lights aren’t left on unnecessarily . Keep the thermostat at the recommended temperature point. As a general rule, it takes a 5 percent increase in power to heat or cool a room by an additional degree. If the temperature is uncomfortable, try making wardrobe adjustments before cranking the thermostat. Use fans. By circulating the air, fans can make rooms feel cooler than a thermometer would indicate. In fact, this affect can produce a differential of three to five degrees. By adjusting the air conditioning system three to five degrees higher, a business can save power without sacrificing a noticeable change in climate. Change the filters. Heating, air conditioning and ventilation filters are cheap and easy to replace (some are even cleanable and reusable). Dirty filters cost more to use, over stress equipment and lower air quality. Recycle. It’s cheap, easy and the environmental benefits have been well stated. Some communities have services that will pick up sorted recyclable products directly from your business – and many of them are incorporated into the communities property tax system, meaning you’re paying for the service whether you use it or not. Speaking of pay, certain types of recyclable goods like metals and building materials actually have a cash value. Search your local phone book for companies that buy such materials in your community.
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Hire John Bernardo: Bernardo makes a living helping businesses like yours increase efficiency and find those hidden dollars. Through his company, Sustainable Innovations, he has worked with companies like Albertsons, SuperValu, St. Luke’s, Giant Eagle, and the City of Boise. His business philosophy is: In business, as in nature, all wastes are assets in disguise. Bernardo has helped more than 300 business in the fields of pollution prevention, energy conservation, greenhouse gas emission trading and waste minimization throughout his 13 years in the industry. For more information, or to find out how Sustainable Innovations can help your business, visit www.sustaininnovations.com.
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