Going green saves money on energy costs, boosts your public image, and increase your bottom line. Visit Checksforless.com for our 5 easy tips.
Over the past few years, there has been a major shift in both the way in which businesses operate, and how consumers judge them—and it largely revolves around being “green”. As a result, going green is not only an intelligent move when it comes to saving money on energy costs, but it’s also a great way to boost your public image and increase sales.
Becoming an environmentally friendly company is undoubtedly the wave of the future, and there are plenty of simple, and relatively inexpensive, ways to start making the change today. Here are a few steps you can take to substantially reduce your business’ carbon footprint:
1. Rethink your lighting
Anyone who owns a retail store knows the steep cost of keeping the store fully lit day after day. Ample overhead lighting, though a necessity for showcasing goods to customers, is a massive expense—and a massive drain of energy. Swap out your old incandescent light bulbs with newer, energy efficient ones, and you can end up saving hundreds each month on your electricity bill. In addition to replacing bulbs, consider getting creative with your lighting to reduce your energy usage even more. Strategically placed mirrors are a great way to reflect light and brighten up your store. In addition, they also help to make the area seem bigger, which is an added bonus for smaller spaces. Installing dimmers can also help to save on energy while providing a more relaxing atmosphere.
2. Plug your electronics into smart power strips
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, approximately 5-10 percent of your annual energy bill comes from devices that are turned off, but still plugged into the wall1. A great way to avoid this unnecessary energy drain without having to physically unplug all of your electronics each night is to plug everything into smart power strips. Unlike older models of power strips, smart strips use sensing technology to automatically shut off power to your devices when not in use. These are a small investment that will go a long way in reducing your overall energy consumption.
3. Keep indoor temperatures in check
In commercial buildings, heating and cooling account for 40-60 percent of your total energy use2. Installing a programmable thermostat will boost energy efficiency by keeping the temperature of your store consistent. Replacing or repairing drafty windows with new caulking will also reduce your carbon footprint and your electricity bill.
4. Use less paper
Look at all areas of your business that use paper products, and come up with a plan for minimizing your overall consumption. For work-related files that are shared among employees, use a cloud-based file organizing and sharing system like Dropbox or iCloud rather than printing multiple copies of documents. When ordering inventory and office supplies, place larger, more infrequent orders to cut back on paper packaging used for shipping. Not ordering as often is also more environmentally friendly since less frequent deliveries translate into reduced fuel emissions from delivery trucks.
5. Clean smarter
Rather than using disposable cloths for cleaning, switch to reusable ones that will reduce the amount of trash your business creates. When it comes to cleaning products, opt for ones that are natural and use non-toxic ingredients. Minimizing the use of toxic chemicals in your store is beneficial not only to the environment, but also provides a healthier working space for you and your employees.
Going green doesn’t need to cost you an arm and a leg. There are countless ways to cut back on your energy use that you can start implementing easily and inexpensively. The benefits of doing so are well worth the effort.
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References:
- Chu, John. “3 Easy Tips to Reduce Your Standby Power Loads.” Energy.gov. U.S. Department of Energy, n.d. Web. http://energy.gov/energysaver/articles/3-easy-tips-reduce-your-standby-power-loads.
- Smart Steps Greening Guide 042101 (2009): n. pag. Www.epa.gov. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Web.