Did you know that the average American small business could save as much as $5,000 per year by becoming 25 percent more energy efficient? That's what a study by the National Small Business Association discovered. It also found that if all small businesses made this effort, greenhouse gas emissions could be reduced by 259 million tons, or the equivalent of 51 coal-fired power plants!
No matter what type of green you're counting, everybody wins with energy efficiency.
But the upfront costs of acquiring more energy-efficient equipment can often be a hurdle for small businesses. If you're a small business owner looking to cut costs and do your part for the environment, San Diego Gas & Electric may have innovative energy-efficiency programs and varying incentives to help.
For instance, in San Diego County, where 95 percent of businesses are small businesses, SDG&E launched a no-cost program targeting small to mid-sized commercial customers in February 2011, and many are taking advantage of it.
Called Direct Install, it's also available from California's other major utilities with a similar initiative offered through several New York State utilities.
It also includes something called vending misers, which are devices that make vending machines 50 percent more energy efficient by shutting off lights when no one is around and powering down refrigeration when the sodas are cold.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, a typical vending machine equipped with this technology and meeting its ENERGY STAR criteria could save your business in the neighborhood of 1,500 kWh per year compared to standard models.
Through SDG&E's program in San Diego and Southern Orange County, offices, bar and grilles, churches, fitness centers, barber shops and more have become more energy efficient without the upfront costs.
Here's how the program works:
• To qualify, you must be on a commercial rate and not exceed 100 kW for three consecutive months during a 12-month period.
• Qualifying businesses will start with a free energy consultation provided by the utility's contracted specialists. The evaluation is as quick as 15 minutes. But these are offered on a first-come-first served basis and because of the program's popularity, customers may have a wait of several weeks.
• The contractors will identify where less-efficient equipment can be replaced with more energy-efficient products to reduce your energy use, carbon footprint and electric bill, all at no cost to you!
• Work with the contractor to identify a convenient time for the equipment installation, during regular business hours or after-hours to minimize any disruption to your business.
Through these free evaluations, many businesses have also learned about other energy-efficiency programs available through the utility. With businesses seeking savings everywhere they can, teaming up with your utility on programs such as these is a smart move.
Visit sdge.com/directinstall to learn more.
No matter what type of green you're counting, everybody wins with energy efficiency.
But the upfront costs of acquiring more energy-efficient equipment can often be a hurdle for small businesses. If you're a small business owner looking to cut costs and do your part for the environment, San Diego Gas & Electric may have innovative energy-efficiency programs and varying incentives to help.
For instance, in San Diego County, where 95 percent of businesses are small businesses, SDG&E launched a no-cost program targeting small to mid-sized commercial customers in February 2011, and many are taking advantage of it.
Called Direct Install, it's also available from California's other major utilities with a similar initiative offered through several New York State utilities.
It also includes something called vending misers, which are devices that make vending machines 50 percent more energy efficient by shutting off lights when no one is around and powering down refrigeration when the sodas are cold.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, a typical vending machine equipped with this technology and meeting its ENERGY STAR criteria could save your business in the neighborhood of 1,500 kWh per year compared to standard models.
Through SDG&E's program in San Diego and Southern Orange County, offices, bar and grilles, churches, fitness centers, barber shops and more have become more energy efficient without the upfront costs.
Here's how the program works:
• To qualify, you must be on a commercial rate and not exceed 100 kW for three consecutive months during a 12-month period.
• Qualifying businesses will start with a free energy consultation provided by the utility's contracted specialists. The evaluation is as quick as 15 minutes. But these are offered on a first-come-first served basis and because of the program's popularity, customers may have a wait of several weeks.
• The contractors will identify where less-efficient equipment can be replaced with more energy-efficient products to reduce your energy use, carbon footprint and electric bill, all at no cost to you!
• Work with the contractor to identify a convenient time for the equipment installation, during regular business hours or after-hours to minimize any disruption to your business.
Through these free evaluations, many businesses have also learned about other energy-efficiency programs available through the utility. With businesses seeking savings everywhere they can, teaming up with your utility on programs such as these is a smart move.
Visit sdge.com/directinstall to learn more.