June 1, 2022

Effective Energy Solutions For Small Businesses

Saving energy equals more money in your pocket. Effective Energy solutions for small business is one of the leading ways to make your business Eco-friendly, and it also makes your company more pleasant for your customers and staff. 

Increasing Small Business Energy Savings 

Small company owners may save money and energy, enhance revenues, market their enterprises, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by utilizing a variety of services and funding choices. 

Dollars saved via energy efficiency may have a direct influence on a company’s bottom line, allowing it to be more competitive in today’s market. Many small firms are housed in commercial buildings less than 50,000 square feet, which account for 44 percent of commercial building energy use in the United States annually.

Related: 7 Technical Tools For Small Business 

The Advantages 

There are three main reasons why small business owners should increase a building’s energy efficiency: 

  • Profits should be increased. 
  • Reduce operational and utility expenses while improving rental revenue and total property value. 
  • Promote Your Company 
  • Improve your products’, services’, and brand image’s marketability, especially among environmentally conscious buyers. 
  • Reduce your environmental footprint. 
  • Reduce CO2 emissions while enhancing consumer comfort and experience. 

How To Go About It 

There are organizations that assists small building and company owners by demystifying the three-step procedures and giving the skills and resources required to overcome barriers to attaining building energy efficiency. 

Step 1: Get in touch with a Qualified Energy Auditor/Contractor. 

It is always suggested to speak with a skilled energy auditor/contractor to better determine the goals for your building and company, as well as the approaches to reaching those goals. 

  • Identify options for low- or no-cost energy savings. 
  • Building energy performance should be measured. 
  • Perform an energy audit 
  • Discuss the timing of any building or equipment improvements. 
  • Calculate your potential energy and cost savings. 

Step 2: Create a Business Plan 

When you are ready to put your business case on paper after consulting with a skilled energy auditor/contractor, concentrate on: 

  • Cash flows, both positive and negative 
  • Understanding the dangers and how to deal with them 
  • Making financial incentives available for energy efficiency and renewable energy initiatives 
  • Investigating funding possibilities and other programs, such as those provided by the US Small Business Administration (SBA). 

Step 3: Gather More Data 

Once your business case is in place, learn more about the programs that are accessible. Among the resources are: 

  • State and Federal Financial Incentives: The Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency website is a comprehensive source of information on incentives and laws in the United States that favor renewable energy and energy efficiency. 
  • Energy Efficiency Resources and Case Studies: The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Better Buildings Initiative maintains a library of resources to assist the adoption of energy-saving building technology, including basic steps to conserving energy in commercial buildings. 
  • Small Business Resources: The National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s four-page brochure assists small companies in understanding the energy and non-energy advantages of energy-efficiency improvements. These materials also assist small companies in determining which contractor and auditor certifications to seek, identifying low- and no-cost energy savings options, and comprehending the decision-making process for energy-efficiency renovations. 

Read More About Energy Solutions 

Financing Guaranteed by the Government: 

The SBA’s lending programs provide several alternatives for small companies to fund building energy improvement initiatives. 

USDA programs provide financial alternatives for rural small companies in the form of loans, loan guarantees, and grants. 

In conclusion 

If you’ve got an idea, devised a plan, and determined how to finance your venture. Then you are well on your way towards energy solutions for your business. 

However, the task has just begun. You must now persuade customers to spend money on your goods or service. This is not simple, but it can be satisfying, especially when you realize that you are supporting not just your own livelihood, but the livelihoods of people all around the world for future generations. Businesses venturing into energy solutions may possibly rescue the earth.