Part One: Lights and Electricity Use

1)  Turn off and unplug equipment during non-operating hours. Connecting computers, printers and phones to one power strip at a desk makes it easy for staff to turn all of them off at the end of the work day. Turning off industrial equipment when not in use can be incorporated into daily operating routines.

2)  Enable the “sleep” mode on your computer, allowing the computer to use less energy when it is not in use. Nearly all computers have energy saver or power management settings—take advantage of them!

3)  Turn off lights in unoccupied spaces. Stop paying to illuminate dry markers and white boards. Conference rooms, storage areas and other rooms should go dark when not in use. Place a reminder sign by the light switch, or install motion-sensitive light switches. Instruct employees to turn off their office lights when they are at lunch.

4)  Use daylight to your advantage. Let the sun light your spaces when possible. Locate work and task spaces next to windows to reduce the need for added artificial lighting.

5)  Use motion-activated outdoor lighting. Many outdoor spaces do not need to be lit at night, especially during the summer. Consider using motion-activated lighting in outdoor areas.

According to the National Resources Defense Council, a typical commercial building uses more energy for lighting than anything else. That means that every little bit counts, and companies can save a lot of dough by watching energy use habits. Stop the daily energy “leaks” and let the cash flow. Check out more energy-saving tips at Energy Smart.

The International Standards Organization, or ISO, is a non-governmental body based in Switzerland that is the world’s largest developer and publisher of international standards. By issuing a set of management standards for energy efficiency, ISO acknowledges that “effective energy management is a priority because of the significant potential to save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions worldwide.”

The new ISO 50001 standard places energy on par with other ISO management system models used by more than one million organizations around the world. These include standards such as ISO 9001 (quality management), ISO 14001 (environmental management), ISO 22000 (food safety) and ISO/IEC 27001 (information security). The ISO 50001 standard “directly engages organizations to elevate energy efficiency into their management practices, and offers a means for continuous, cost-effective improvements.” Details about the new energy management standard can be found at the ISO website.

What does this mean for businesses? Organizations will now have access to a single, consistent framework for integrating energy efficiency into their management practices. According to the ISO, it will also:

• Assist organizations in making better use of their existing energy-consuming assets
• Assist facilities in evaluating and prioritizing the implementation of new energy-efficient technologies
• Promote a framework for advancing energy efficiency throughout the supply chain
• Offer benchmarking, measuring, documenting and reporting practices companies can use to evaluate the projected impact of energy efficiency improvements on greenhouse gas emission reductions

In the past, as new ISO models have been introduced, companies have embraced the new standards and quickly sought certification for their organizations. As more companies seek accreditation under the new standard, ISO 50001 certification will likely be regarded as a competitive advantage, especially within certain industries and countries.

For assistance with getting your ISO energy projects started, contact our Energy Smart experts today. Energy Smart services are provided at no charge to Minnesota businesses.

According to Finance and Commerce online, the building trades are responding to increasing demand for greener rental units. They are constructing more apartment complexes with features that help tenants save money on energy, have ready access to recycling—including organics—and  reduce water consumption.

Building owners also see significant benefits to this approach to construction with reductions in operating costs for energy, trash disposal and water use.

Finance and Commerce reports green design and construction has become the rule rather than the exception, according to local apartment developers and architects.  “A lot of green [building] elements are becoming commonplace,” said Dan Pellinen, a senior associate architect at Minneapolis-based Tushi Montgomery & Associates. While the up-front construction costs may be higher, building owners offering energy and resource efficiency are able to attract more renters under age 35—a desirable demographic—who tend to be more green-energy savvy than typical renters of decades past.

The green building trend “has affected the whole building industry,” Pellinan said. “Even if they are not going after LEED certification—because that takes a lot of time, effort and money to produce the documentation—they are opting to do a lot of ‘green’ things just so they can reap the benefits.”

At a time when the residential rental market is hopping, new construction of multi-unit buildings is surging. Energy Smart suggests that this presents our communities with a rare opportunity to bring energy-efficient living to more Minnesotans than ever before. By incorporating green design and operating processes in new builds of apartment complexes—and by upgrading older buildings with the green features that attract younger tenants—the multi-housing industry can both satisfy today’s consumer demand and create future expectations among consumers that energy efficient housing should be the norm.

For assistance with assessing, planning and financing energy upgrades in existing multi-tenant buildings, please contact our Energy Smart experts today. Energy Smart services are provided at no charge to Minnesota businesses.

Participating cities select and implement strategies from a list of 28 best practices in five categories: transportation, buildings and lighting, environmental management, land use, and economic and community development.

“Among the best practices we’ve included are approaches for green business development, and creating business synergies in participating cities,” remarked Philipp Muessig, Minnesota GreenStep Cities program coordinator. “Improved energy efficiency in private buildings is also a key component.”

Minnesota Energy Smart is one resource for businesses interested in making improvements like these that offer measurable business benefits. When a business reduces its operating costs through more efficient lighting and HVAC, for example, the money saved can be used to increase the quality of products and services, invest in new technologies, or add employees—giving that business an advantage over a competitor in a nearby town.

Muessig noted that business leaders can help shape a city’s GreenStep plans. Municipalities are encouraged to offer financial or regulatory incentives for actions such as using energy efficient building standards. It’s an opportunity for companies to develop innovative approaches and realize competitive advantages.

“Business groups can approach their city councils about participating in this program,” Muessig said, adding that business leaders in communities such as Austin and Elk River are already working to advance the GreenStep Cities initiative.

Interested? Check the list of participating GreenStep Cities here to see if your community is participating, or learn more here about how your city can become involved.

The Minnesota Twins and the Target Field are now the first professional sports franchise to attain both certifications from LEED, the nation’s most widely-recognized and accepted green building rating system by the U.S. Green Building Council.

Fact is, business and cultural organizations across Minnesota are increasingly placing a priority on energy efficiency and environmental sustainability—especially in new construction.  As examples, the International Centre office building and the Butler Square building, both in downtown Minneapolis, have achieved ENERGY STAR ratings. The Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center was awarded LEED Silver Certification just last month, and the Minnesota Zoo’s Education Event Center boasts a LEED Gold Certification.

And why not go greener? Businesses understand that waste is bad and efficiency is good. The Minnesota Twins report they were able to reduce their use of electricity by 12.1 percent in 2011, despite adding a new video board in right field and additional radiant heating units in the concourses. The facility sent more than 700 tons of trash to Minneapolis’s nearby waste-to-energy facility, recycling some of the electricity generated back to Target Field for water and facility heating. The stadium, also an ENERGY-STAR-rated building, is 23 percent more energy efficient than other buildings in its category. And the Twins are looking to the 2012 season for ways to make gains in energy efficiency, waste management, water savings and indoor environmental quality.

Good for the planet. Good for people. Good for profitability.

Want to explore LEED or ENERGY STAR certification for your business? Can do! Contact Energy Smart and we’ll be happy to provide details.

Oh, yeah. You’re gonna want one of these.

Meet the Nest: a “learning thermostat” that programs itself. Developed by Tony Fadell, a former Apple VP and the whiz who created the sleek hardware for the iPod, the Nest is turning the world of stogy-looking thermostats on its head.

The Nest learns and reprograms itself by following your use habits, and can take as much as 20% off your energy bill. You can access Nest online or from your smart phone. It costs $249. And let’s face it: it looks really cool.

Why re-imagine home temperature control?
Heating and cooling can be as much as 50% of your home (or small office building) energy bill. Programmable thermostats are great for getting a handle on reducing heating and cooling costs, but according to Nest, up to 90% of programmable thermostats are never programmed. Yeouch.

If you do program your thermostat you know you have to give it a schedule: 6:00 a.m. warmer, 8:00 a.m. cooler, 6:00 p.m. warmer, 10:00 p.m. cooler—and a whole different timetable on the weekend. Labor Day Monday? Oops, have to readjust the thermostat. Out for the evening? Still paying to warm the house.

Fadell decided a thermostat could be smarter, could learn from your daily habits and adjust to you, instead of you adjusting to it. And he knew he could make something that looked a lot more appealing than a beige box. Install it, and over the course of about a month, the Nest goes to work sensing activity, temperature, humidity and light, adapting to your family’s use patterns, and lowering energy usage. It even shows you how much energy is being saved.  Maybe lots of energy, especially if lots of homes and small businesses start using this technology. Fadell and his cohorts believe this is planet-saving-level technology.

Yes, but does it work?
Well, precisely. This is what we want to know, too. We’ve got one on order and when Energy Smart’s staff has finished putting it through its paces, we’ll update you with our results.

Let’s suppose I asked you to give me a buck, and in two years or less I would give you back your dollar, and I would pay you another dollar every year after that. Yes, I say, the investment is completely legit. Yes, I confirm, it’s an excellent return on investment.  And yes, you can invest more than $1 if you want.

It turns out this isn’t a case of “let’s suppose”; this is the typical payback track record for investments in energy efficiency. About 20-30% of energy-saving upgrades that can be done at a typical facility will have a payback of 1-2 years. After the initial investment is paid back, the energy savings are money in the bank, year after year, for as long as you stay in the facility. What’s not to love?

According to research by McKinsey & Company titled Unlocking Energy Efficiency in the U.S. Economy, the American economy has the potential to reduce non-transportation energy consumption by roughly 23% by 2020 by investing in energy efficiency. Good for business, good for the economy.

Business leaders support benefits of energy efficiency 

Leaders in industry apparently agree. In a Nov. 11^th letter to President Obama, the nonpartisan Industrial Energy Consumers of America (IECA) asks  the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to “prioritize low-cost and ‘cost-effective’ energy efficiency from every sector” as a means of achieving greenhouse gas emission reductions required under the Clean Air Act. The IECA, representing major sectors such as cement, paper, chemicals and steel, is an association of manufacturers with $700 in combined annual sales and more than 650,000 employees. The McKinsey research shows the industrial sector alone could cut energy consumption by 18%.

Energy Smart ready to assist your business with energy efficiency

Of course, since every facility and industry is different, it’s recommended that businesses seek advice from experts to determine which energy efficiency upgrades will most benefit the individual company.  Here’s where Energy Smart can help: Our staff will arrange on-site energy consultations, calculate energy savings potential, research rebate programs and funding options, and advise you about an energy efficiency strategy that can work for your company. If you are a business in Minnesota, these services are available through Energy Smart at no cost. Please contact Energy Smart to learn more.

New York City’s One World Trade Center (1 WTC), also known as “Freedom Tower,” is being constructed on the site of the World Trade Center buildings that were destroyed in 2001 in a terrorist attack. When the skyscraper is finished in 2013, it will be the highest building in North America, reaching a symbolic height of 1,776 feet in recognition of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.

The building will also include products from two energy innovators with ties to Minnesota: Viracon, Inc., and McQuay International.

Viracon, headquartered in Owatonna, Minnesota, is providing the “curtain wall” glass for the building’s exterior. The extremely long pieces of glass must be highly transparent while also providing superior energy efficiency and security. Viracon’s VRE-54 glass coating fits the bill, providing a crisp neutral appearance, combined with high levels of energy performance and light transmission.

McQuay International, with its American headquarters in Plymouth, Minnesota, is providing the energy-efficient air conditioning equipment for 1 WTC. It will consist of custom-designed AC units with HFC-410A refrigerant, which has zero depletion potential. The quiet units are located on each floor, eliminating the need for large piping systems, and allowing the temperature to be controlled individually floor-by-floor. The units are being manufactured at McQuay’s Fairbault, Minnesota plant.

Both companies express pride at having their products chosen for the project, and Minnesota can be proud of the clean energy innovation and leadership that these contract awards represent.

Want Venture Funds for Your Bright Idea? Apply by Dec. 5!  Check out the Energy Smart financial incentive page for more information.

Light-emitting diode lamps, or LEDs, are looking ever brighter as the number of businesses installing them is surging. Are you someone who’s not yet sold on them? Well here are five great reasons to love LEDs.

1. Buy light, get light!

When you use inefficient incandescent or halogen bulbs, you pay for all the electricity they consume, but receive only a fraction of the light output for your money. LEDs are far more efficient and cost about one tenth as much to run, so you get more of the light you pay for. For example, a 90-watt halogen lamp can be replaced with a 15-watt LED lamp that provides the same 1,200 lumens output as the 90-watt halogen, but with a 75-watt-per-lamp reduction in energy use.

 2. Comfort is king.

Ever worked around those hot halogen track lights? Commonly used in retail settings, halogen bulbs give off so much heat you may find yourself running the air conditioning from March to November. Because cooling a space one degree costs ten times as much as heating it one degree, LED replacement bulbs will keep your store or office at a more comfortable temperature, and save you money on cooling costs.

3. Live long and prosper.

How often do light bulbs need to be changed in your facility? A lot less often when you use LEDs. They last much longer, require virtually no maintenance, and are not sensitive to weather changes.

4. Getting better all the time.

LEDs technology continues to improve and respond to consumer needs.

• Manufacturers have responded to demand for warmer-colored bulbs with LEDs that more closely mimic the ambience of incandescents.
• The energy efficiency of LEDs continues to increase.

5. Rebates, rebates, rebates.

Many utility companies offer rebates for upgrades to more efficient LED lighting. Energy Smart can connect you to the latest offers for rebates and project funding, and our consultants can help you research and plan the best lighting upgrade for your business.

For more information on LEDs, see the US Department of Energy’s website.

Just Announced: Indirect Downlighting LED Design!

Engineers have successfully designed an LED that uses a reflective dome to cast a more appealing, wider pool of light.  Read the Advanced LED Downlighting System technical brief.

These findings are in a new report from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) called, “What Have We Learned from Energy Efficiency Financing?” Find a PDF of the report on the new MNEnergySmart.com.

The ACEEE says the United States could cost-effectively realize a 20-30% reduction in energy consumption in the next 10-15 years, lowering energy bills for consumers by $78 billion a year! One group with great potential to reap these savings is the commercial and residential building sector which consumes about 74% of the electricity used in the United States.

Their review of 24 energy-efficiency loan programs found extremely low default rates of 0-3%, even during the recent economic downturn. Projects financed through the programs reduced annual energy costs by an average of 12–17%.

“Many businesses we work with in Minnesota see even higher savings,” remarked Jill Curran, Energy Smart Program Director. “Some upgrades to more efficient lighting, for example, can save as much as 50% in energy costs.”

The ACEEE’s research also revealed that more is more: When more consumers participate in efforts to reduce energy consumption, those energy savings can be delivered more cost-efficiently.

“Energy efficiency loans are proving to be a winning investment in a time of economic uncertainty. Based on these findings, now is the time to scale-up to serve many more homeowners and businesses,” said ACEEE Executive Director Steven Nadel.

Among the report’s other recommendations:
• Use facility-wide energy audits to inform consumers of the maximum energy savings  opportunities they may realize by participating
• Combine loans with available utility incentives and rebates for greater savings

Minnesota Energy Smart provides these services and more to help your business develop and finance a plan for the most cost-efficient, energy-effective combination of improvements suited to your business needs.
•  Consult our Utility Rebate Search Tool here.
•  Review new funding opportunities here.
•  Learn about Upgrade Investment Analysis here.