11 ways to reduce energy expenses, keep top employees, and gain a competitive advantage

It pays to be energy efficient. Energy is getting more expensive and policies are beginning to take shape that will penalize a company for not being energy efficient, but sustainable business practices pay dividends. Running an environmentally and socially responsible business might give you the competitive advantage you need to stay on top of the game in the months to come.

Consider one of TEC’s alliance partners, Bank of America. Not only are they building environmentally friendly buildings, reducing paper usage and recycling 50,000 tons of paper per year, they are also offering their employees reimbursement of $3,000 to purchase a hybrid vehicle. It gets their employees involved in their dedication, cuts down on their commuting costs, and is a feel-good program all around. Not to mention the positive publicity.

Bank of America is a large company. Our companies may be smaller, but collectively, Member businesses can make a huge impact on the world.

Not sure how? Here are 11 things you can add to your goals for 2007, and the benefits you can expect to follow -- for your business and our planet.

1. Reduce paper waste. Automate paper procedures online, and begin a blue can paper recycling program, if you haven't already. You'll save your employees hundreds of hours handling paper files. You'll save money on purchasing paper. And you'll preserve our clean-air producing forests and reduce land-fill contributions.
   
   "It takes 75,000 trees to print a Sunday edition of the New York Times," according to I Love a Clean San Diego, which leads and educates to actively conserve and enhance the environment . "If every newspaper produced in the United States were recycled, 101,000 trees could be saved each day." (Note that the New York Times Company states that the "average recycled fiber content for newsprint is 27%," and they are working to improve that number.)
   
   
2. Reduce garbage in our landfills. Provide blue cans for bottles and cans in your lunchrooms and wherever you provide or sell canned or bottled beverages. In the U.S., go to Earth 911 and enter your zip code to find recycling services in your area. Earth 911 also has international recycling information. The National Recycling Coalition provides information on how to recycle electronics.
   
   
3. Buy recycled to create demand. "Consumers and businesses need to make purchases of products made of recycled materials for recycling to be successful. It's a matter of economics. Fifteen years ago, there was no demand," says Member Tom Kemper, Founder and President of Dolphin Blue, provider of environmentally responsible office supplies and printed paper products. "Today, we have to compete in the marketplace."
   
   "Buy biodegradable packaging, made from 100% waste recycled paper fiber," adds Member Douglass Henry, President and CEO of Henry Molded Products, which designs and manufactures protective packaging from 100% waste paper, an alternative to Styrofoam and other plastics. "Responsible sustainability has been our fundamental mission for over forty years."
   
   
4. Swap those light bulbs and ballasts, go solar when possible, and install motion-sensors that turn lights off. "We use Orion light fixtures. Twice the light, half the energy," says Member Dan Chaudoir of Central File Marketing. "Most power utilities offer grants to upgrade to energy-efficient lighting equipment," notes Member Tim O'Neill, President/Owner of Engineered Compost Systems. He continues, "Lighting typically accounts for 30% of energy use in commercial buildings. Reducing power consumption for lighting provides a double benefit because this energy adds to the heat load that has to be cooled by the air-conditioning system."
   
   According to Flex Your Power, a resource for energy efficiency and conservation information, "Occupancy sensors and dimmers in break rooms, restrooms and conference rooms can reduce lighting costs up to 40%." That can mean significant savings over time. If you lease or rent, consider working with your property management team to decrease lighting costs. It could mean a lower -- or maintained -- rent in the future as energy prices continue to rise.
   
   The Wisconsin Energy Conservation Corporation recommends businesses "use ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs (compact florescent light bulbs) in table and floor lamps. They use 75% less energy, and last up to 10 times longer."
   
   Energy savings don't stop inside the building. "To illuminate the perimeter of your property or your parking lot, use solar powered outdoor lights," advises Member Kai Wenk-Wolff, President & CEO, SOL, Inc. "Although a solar light is more expensive than a conventional light, the installation is much cheaper. With solar lighting, there is no trenching to lay cables and no wiring. Most importantly, you save electricity and reduce carbon emissions."
   
   
5. Maintain your company vehicles to reduce gas consumption. When it's time to purchase new vehicles, choose more energy efficient vehicles.
   
   "Clean oil and properly inflated tires eliminate up to 1000 lbs. of CO2 per year per car, and collectively, we can save up to 2 billion gallons of gasoline," states Global Green USA.
   
   
6. Choose laptop computers or flat screens when you upgrade your systems. "Laptops use up to 90% less energy than a desktop computer," according to Flex Your Power. O'Neill notes that according to IBM, a typical flat screen monitor uses about 30% of the power of standard CRT monitor. You might also consider a separate keyboard and a computer stand, to improve the ergonomics of a laptop.
   
   Flex Your Power also recommends businesses "print with ink jet printers instead of laser printers. Ink jet printers cost less to maintain and use 90% less energy than laser printers."
   
   
7. Reduce your heating and cooling needs. O'Neill notes that the American Institute of Architects claims that about 50% of energy use in the USA is in buildings. Chaudoir, too, is passionate about this topic. He says he has saved 30 to 50% in energy costs by annually have all seals checked on dock/overhead doors and combining heater thermostats with motion detectors and only heat areas that are occupied.
   
   O'Neill adds, "De-stratification fans in spaces with high ceilings reduce winter heating loads and increase comfort. [But the] biggest bang-for the buck often comes from getting your HVAC system regularly maintained and programmable thermostats adjusted by a qualified HVAC service company."
   
   John Hansen, former Member, and President of Suntrol Company, which does glass tinting, suggests using glass enhancing films for reducing heat, glare and energy costs. He says that based on customary installation costs for medium-sized commercial projects, "the average return on investment from solar film application is an impressive 2.65 years. These savings were the result of reducing annual electricity kilowatt-hour (KWH) usage by an average of 6.6% and reducing summer month peak KW demand on average by 6.4%."
   
   
8. Develop a telecommuting program, flex schedule to avoid high traffic times, and make finding people to carpool with to work easy. Regularly, allow for work-at-home days or set up an optional 4 day/10 hour schedule. Relay concrete expectations to make this work. You'll show your employees you trust them. They work harder to prove the program, they'll save money on buying gasoline and auto maintenance, and they'll be less likely to leave your company for a competitor.
   
   "Personal transportation is responsible for 30 to 50% of greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution," states Global Green USA, as well as "33% of toxic water pollution, and over 45% of toxic air emissions." Taking all of your employees off the road one day per week or encouraging them to commute together can really make a difference in air quality.
   
   Create a carpooling bulletin board with a map where people can post a “sticky note” where they live, to more easily connect with potential carpoolers. Provide incentives for carpoolers, such as bagel-first-Fridays. Many larger cities also offer rideshare programs to connect people with similar commute routes.
   
   "Encourage bicycle commuting, too," suggests O'Neill, "by providing a secure place for bikes and a place to change and shower. Employees who ride to work also arrive wide awake and ready to be productive.
   
   
9. Provide employees two volunteer days per year to spend working for a certifiable nonprofit organization that is dedicated to helping the environment or local community. Consider matching their hours volunteering with dollars to donate to the cause; but note that this will only work with certain cultures. "We implemented our matching program to encourage our employees to participate and support our community," says John Yarger, Member, President and CEO of North American Signs. "After a few years, participation in the program declined and despite occasional reminders there was little interest. Last year a recently hired employee began raising funds for her charity marathon effort. She championed the program and renewed interest and participation. "
   
   
10. Invest in or donate to alternative energy programs or socially responsible causes. Give employees an incentive to do the same -- match their contribution. Show how donations are written off.
    
    "If your state has energy de-regulation, consider choosing a green electricity supplier," advises Mackey McNeill, President and CEO of The Wealth Advisory Team, "or support renewable energy development by offsetting the pollution caused by your electricity use through such organizations as Native Energy. You can also invest in alternative energy. Many mutual funds focus on being socially responsible, devoting large portions of their portfolios to alternative energy sources. Our company provides businesses with a way to be greener through their retirement funds by offering social 401K programs to employees."
    
    
11. Build and renovate green and get LEED certified. According the Natural Resources for Defense Council, the LEED certification helps "promote design and construction practices that increase profitability while reducing the negative environmental impacts of buildings and improving occupant health and well-being." It also is being used as a point of differentiation in marketing campaigns. See www.greenexchange.com and www.livingdesignsgroup.com.
    
    A little planning now to conserve energy, support alternative energy and encourage your employees to help the environment and local community can make a huge impact not only on your P&L, but also in the retention of your employees, and the health of the environment overall.