6-Steps To Save Energy and Money at Your Business

1. Make a commitment to energy efficiency
2. Develop an energy savings plan
3. Create an energy baseline and benchmark
4. Identify energy savings opportunities
5. Identify financial and technical resources
6. Get it done

1. Make a commitment to energy efficiency
Educate yourself about energy efficiency, and educate your staff about your business’ commitment to increasing energy efficiency. Promote your commitment to your customers who are interested in the steps that you are taking to save energy, and therefore keep prices lower on the products and services that you provide.  For example, consider becoming an ENERGY STAR Partner, or joining the Builders Challenge.

2. Develop an energy savings plan
Businesses need a long-term plan that clarifies where energy savings will come from (i.e. lighting, building controls, computer power management) and the cost and benefits. No two plans will be alike, yet the steps outlined here as well as the other resources provided by Utah Clean Energy should be helpful as you begin. Depending on the size of your business, developing a full ‘Energy Management Plan’ might be appropriate.

3. Create an energy baseline and benchmark
Identify how much energy your business currently uses and how much you pay for energy. Collect utility bills from the last 1-3 years and input the information into the ENERGY STAR’s Portfolio Manager tool. This helpful tool allows you to easily monitor and track your business’ energy consumption, and highlights areas of highest priority. It also provides you with a energy benchmark by comparing your businesses to other similar businesses using national data.

4. Identify energy savings opportunities
Depending on your facility and your staff resources you may be able to conduct an energy audit yourself, get started with this U.S. DOE Office Energy Checklist. Alternatively, you might want to use an outside provider to assist you with a walk-through audit. Contact your utility company for building analyses, or visit ENERGY STAR for a list of professional engineers.

5. Identify financial and technical resources
Certain financial incentives are available from utility companies and the state and federal government.

• Rocky Mountain Power
  • Rocky Mountain Power's ENERGY STAR New Homes Program 
  • Recommissioning program
  • FinAnswer Express
  • Energy FinAnswer
  • Energy Profiler Online
  • Click here for more information about Rocky Mountain Power's Energy Efficiency Programs in Utah
     
• Questar – ThermWise Program
  • Questar's ENERGY STAR New Homes Program
  • Business rebates
  • Custom Business Rebates 
  • ThermWise contractors and distributors
     
• Government incentives
  • Federal Tax Deductions for Commercial Buildings
    A tax deduction of up to $1.80 per square foot is available to owners or designers of new or existing commercial buildings that save at least 50% of the heating and cooling energy of a building that meets ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2001. Expires December 31, 2013.
  • Federal Tax Credit for New Home Builders
    A tax deduction of up to $2,000 is available for new home builders who construct homes that achieve 50% energy savings for heating and cooling over the 2004 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and supplements. At least 1/5 of the energy savings must come from building envelope improvements. Expires December 31, 2009.

6. Get it done
Hire a contractor and/or work with the utility to complete the energy efficiency project. Complete and mail in applicable rebate and/or tax incentive application forms, communicate your achievements, and track your energy savings over time.