At first glance, converting your business’ groundwork to a green infrastructure can seem daunting, and leave some business owners questioning whether sustainability can ironically lead to unsustainable financial loss.
Yet incorporating elements of green building into the inner workings of a business will very likely be substantially cost-effective. Replacing or updating an HVAC system to drive energy efficiency, installing rooftop solar panels and ceiling tubes to offset energy costs and using touchless faucets and motion detectors to save on water and electric bills are all great ways to increase profits.
Business owners need not be a fountain of green knowledge to succeed, though research is advised. There are many companies that can help you gauge the breadth and depth of integrating facets of green building at your establishment. The benefits often show that green workplaces are worth their weight in solar panels.
These companies and consultants possess valuable solar calculators. The tool determines a customized solar fit, including the type and number of panels, to increase profits through energy cost reduction. Similar calculation methods can be used for cost analysis of other energy-efficient initiatives.
For proactive proprietors, solar energy benefits stretch far beyond monthly savings. They expand business owners’ options to take extensive charge of their energy costs. According to EcoWatch, businesses can study energy savings and, through knowledge gained, significantly reduce utility costs.
The metrics reach beyond solar energy offsets. Research also provides a business with cost-efficiency data in regard to utilizing additional green technologies. Statistics indicate that energy-efficient HVAC systems can reduce energy consumption on average by 20 percent to 50 percent, dependent on the type of systems and a building’s specific needs.
So, a business that budgets $10,000 for yearly HVAC costs could reduce budget busters between $2,000 and $5,000 per year. Those numbers could increase exponentially depending on yearly expenditures.
Many local and State governments, and federal agencies, offer robust rebates, incentives and grants to businesses that integrate sustainable infrastructure. In fact, there is such an abundance of cost-saving opportunities that some businesses employ consultants or outside companies to research and make maximum use of these potentially abundant opportunities.
Additional sustainable methods include touchless faucets that greatly decrease wasted water usage. In addition, investing in vision sensors that automatically turn lights off and on is another ideal way of furthering the reach of energy cost savings.
Touchless faucets control the amount of water that an employee or customer is able to use. This is helpful because it eliminates costs incurred by regulating water flow. It also eliminates significant costs when someone forgets to turn off the faucet, which would otherwise resulting in water running needlessly for hours.
Various estimates suggest water savings of up to 50 percent from touchless faucets and motion sensor lighting generating 30 percent to 60 percent savings. There are several variables to consider, including building layout, usage patterns and sensor quality.
Consider employing energy-efficient infrastructure at your business. After careful consideration of the monetary benefits, even the most stubborn decision-makers can see the light.
