A look at how energy efficiency helps Vermont businesses run more profitably

Efficiency Vermont's Paul Lambert, Key Account Manager, and Dan Mellinger, Business Energy Services Planning and Development Manager.

send in a question of your own  

Q:  I run a busy insurance agency. I need to control overhead, including energy costs, but I don't have much time to do research. I've gotten good information from many of your columns, but I haven't seen one entirely devoted to saving energy in offices. It would be a great service if you'd be willing to write one.

- HS, Windham County, VT

(posted August 27, 2010)

A:

Paul: Great idea. We're glad to. The most cost-effective options for individual offices depend on a number of factors, including budget, size, hours of operation, and the age of equipment. Typically, the best opportunities for energy savings in offices are lighting, HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning), and office equipment.

Dan: When considering lighting, the first place to look is up. If you have T12 fluorescent tubes, you're overpaying for lighting. These are the "fat" tubes; 1.5 inches in diameter. Replace them with High Performance T8 tubes (one inch in diameter) & fixtures, which use up to 50% less energy, and last as much as 1.5 times longer. They also run cooler, which can mean lower air conditioning operation costs.

Paul: Now is a great time to make that lighting change because Efficiency Vermont is offering special, higher rebates that cover 50 to 90% of the cost of specified T12 replacements installed by December 31, 2010. It's important to be aware that T12s won't be manufactured after 2012, in accordance with federal law. That means that, in time, new T12s won't be available to replace burned-out lights. So, 2010 is the best time to make the switch that you'll eventually need to make anyway. That's not only because of Efficiency Vermont's 2010 rebates, but also because you'll start reaping the benefits of lower electricity costs and higher-quality lighting sooner. To get rebates, check out the newLIGHT program.

Dan: Another highly cost-effective move is to swap your incandescent light bulbs for CFLs (compact fluorescent light bulbs), which use as much as 75% less energy and can last up to 10 times longer. Also, consider installing occupancy sensors. This equipment saves energy by automatically turning off lights in empty spaces and turning them on again when someone enters the area.

Paul: As for HVAC, I suggest speaking with your HVAC contractor to see that your equipment is being well maintained and that your controls are properly set. Controls can be as simple as a wall thermostat or as complex as a facility-wide computerized system. Ask your contractor to assess the condition, age, and efficiency of your HVAC equipment, to determine if energy-saving retrofits or equipment replacements would be cost-effective.

Dan: While your contractor is on site, discuss your computer server room/closet. Business owners often waste energy by keeping these spaces colder than necessary. It may be possible to maintain nationally recommended temperatures (64.4 to 80.6 F) with little or no air conditioning. If your server room isn't ventilated, ask your HVAC contractor about your options - the solution might be as simple as an exhaust fan. If the room has a solid door, replace it with a slotted one. If equipment is placed under furniture or very close to walls or other equipment, reposition it to allow air to move around it.

Paul: Turning to individual computers: When buying, look for the ENERGY STAR® label. Also keep in mind that flat-screen LCD (liquid crystal display) computer monitors use less energy than CRT (cathode-ray tube) monitors and that laptops use less energy than desktops. An easy way to further reduce computer-operation energy costs is to use an advanced power strip (ask at Vermont hardware stores) that turns off peripherals when you turn off the computer.

Dan: You also can find ENERGY STAR qualified printers, scanners, fax machines, and mailing machinesTo find lists of ENERGY STAR qualified office equipment, look for the Products section of www.energystar.gov. ENERGY STAR comes into play in office break rooms and  kitchens too. If you have a refrigerator manufactured before 1993, it's using twice the energy of a new ENERGY STAR model. If you have a dishwasher, look for ENERGY STAR when it's time to replace your old model.

Paul: Efficiency Vermont offers rebates for specified energy-efficient equipment and lighting purchases. Visit our Business Rebate Center for rebate forms and lists of eligible products. Additional rebates may be available for custom projects, so contact Efficiency Vermont if you't see certain equipment listed.

Dan: I'll end with a tip about a simple way to start lowering energy costs today: Establish a shut-down protocol for lights, office equipment, coffee machines, and anything else that doesn't need to operate after business hours. All the best in your efforts to lower your office's overhead.