1. 8 Easy Steps Reduce Your Business Energy Bill Carolyn Schrader Energy Change Solutions
2. Being energy wise is not about a silver bullet; it is about buckshot Energy Change Solutions
3. Topics 8 easy steps that will help you save money and be energy wise Improve efficiency Plan projects Be knowledgeable Learn about alternatives Use tax credits Use PGE rebates Participate in California programs Participate in local programs Energy Change Solutions
4. Carolyn Schrader President, Energy Change Solutions Help businesses improve their triple bottom-line: profit, people, planet Consult with homeowners on their energy efficiency, providing home energy audits with comfort and cost saving recommendations Over 15-years senior level management experience, including business profit & loss responsibility, marketing, change management, project management, staff leadership, and high-level contract negotiations. LEED Green Associate; Sacramento Area Certified Sustainable Business Helping small and midsize businesses save money and be energy wise Energy Change Solutions
6. 1. Improve Efficiency Use less lighting Clean the fixtures Delamp – do you really need as much brightness? Take out a fluorescent tube or two or … Reposition where the lamps are Energy Change Solutions
7. 1. Improve Efficiency Use less lighting Install occupancy sensors in all spaces that are not continuously used Use more efficient bulbs – T8 high performance, fluorescent, ceramic metal halide, LED Energy Change Solutions
8. 1. Improve Efficiency Use less heating/air conditioning Tune the equipment just like a car Use programmable thermostats Energy Change Solutions
9. 1. Improve Efficiency Use less hot water Set temperature to lowest needed Fix leaks Install a timer to turn off water heater during night Install re-circulating pumps if source is distant Energy Change Solutions
10. 1. Improve Efficiency Use less computer & other plug-in power Turn off computers, printers, copiers, etc. at night Install “sleep” software for older computers, use energy management features of new computers Energy Change Solutions
11. 1. Improve Efficiency Use less computer & other plug-in power Plug appliances and small equipment into power strips to reduce vampire energy use; turn strips off at night Energy Change Solutions
12. 1. Improve Efficiency Use less computer & other plug-in power Buy Energy Star laptops and equipment/ appliances Energy Change Solutions
13. 1. Improve Efficiency In summary Use less: Lighting Heating & air conditioning Hot water Computer & plug in power Energy Change Solutions
15. 2. Plan Projects Start with no/low cost projects first Programmable thermostats Exit signs Window film Air conditioning tune up Occupancy sensors Power strips Vending machine misers Energy Change Solutions
16. 2. Plan Projects Use saved money to fund the medium priced projects Buy Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) before installing solar or wind or biofuel Do projects that have rebates or tax credits that have end date before the “forever” rebates Energy Change Solutions
17. 2. Plan Projects Do pilots for new solution ideas – implement in phases Try window film Try new lamp types Try energy management software Try new process Energy Change Solutions
18. 2. Plan Projects Anticipate possible “must do” expenses Old equipment Lease coming up New product/service needing new equipment or process Energy Change Solutions
19. 2. Plan Projects Schedule the large dollar projects so you can leverage financing options, other initiatives, changes in the business environment Solar rebates on a declining scale – don’t procrastinate Interest rates are low Need to reroof – do cool roof then install solar as one project Watch the competition and be ready to act first Energy Change Solutions
20. 2. Plan Projects In summary: Start with no/low cost projects first Save some money to fund the medium priced projects Do pilots for new solution ideas – implement in phases Anticipate possible “must do” expenses in your plan Schedule the large dollar projects so you can leverage financing options, other initiatives, changes in the business environment Energy Change Solutions
22. 3. Be Knowledgeable Knowledge is power Facts let you negotiate better, ask more probative questions Which ice machine is the best cost over 5 years, not just cheapest to buy now? Laptops are more expensive that desktops, but do they use as much power? Why does a variable speed motor reduce cost of equipment operation? Energy Change Solutions
23. 3. Be Knowledgeable Top Internet Resources energystar.gov PGE.com eere.energy.gov (energy efficiency & renewable energy) Energy Change Solutions
27. 5. Use Tax Credits Make sure your tax advisor is sharing information about energy efficiency tax credits Solar applies to commercial buildings Lighting, HVAC, building envelope incentives Work with your tax advisor to plan projects for best tax benefits Energy Change Solutions
31. 7. Participate in California Programs Cash for Appliances PLUS Just expanded July 28, 2010 Refrigerators Room air conditioners HVAC Water heaters Energy Change Solutions
32. 7. Participate in California Programs Go Solar California Managed through PGE & other utilities California’s Emerging Renewables Rebate Program Wind & fuel cell systems Energy Change Solutions
36. Little steps add up Cost justified with 1 year: Window film Exit signs Lighting HVAC economizers Occupancy sensors Energy Change Solutions
37. 8 Key Steps Improve efficiency Plan projects Be knowledgeable Learn about alternatives Use tax credits Use PGE rebates Participate in California programs Participate in local programs Energy Change Solutions
38. Questions? Carolyn Schrader www.energychangesolutions.com 530.405.6089 carolynschrader@energychangesolutions.com Energy Change Solutions
