Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency

Energy efficiency is an environmentally sustainable strategy aimed at making better use of the energy your business consumes. Renewable energy is power generated from a resource that can be naturally replenished or that is infinite in its supply. All businesses should aim to improve their energy efficiency and use renewable sources of energy wherever possible to improve their environmental sustainability.

An easy way for a small business to reduce its expenses and lower its impact on the environment is by improving its energy efficiency. Energy efficiency is using less energy to maintain the same level of energy service. For example, installing energy efficient fluorescent lighting in your business will provide you with the same amount of light (energy service) but will use less power. Some of the common ways to improve energy efficiency in businesses include:

·         installing fluorescent lighting

·         insulating buildings to save on heating and cooling expenses

·         positioning and designing buildings to make use of natural lighting, heating and cooling

·         switching off appliances, machinery, computers and lights when they are not being used

·         replacing old appliances and computer equipment with new, more efficient versions

·         encouraging employees to walk, cycle, use public transport or car pool when travelling to work

·         reducing water usage with efficient taps, fittings and by fixing leaks

·         recycling and reusing materials wherever possible

At first, it may seem expensive or difficult to implement these types of changes into your business. However, over the long term operation of your business, the cost savings can become substantial and by consuming less energy, you'll also be helping to reduce your negative impact on the environment..

After making a commitment to assessing and improving the energy efficiency of your business, you might consider switching to a renewable source of energy to further lower your impact on the environment.

Choosing a renewable source of energy will significantly reduce the negative impact that your business has on the environment as it reduces the amount of fossil fuels that need to be mined, processed and burnt to generate electricity. It also supports the renewable energy industry and encourages energy providers to invest more into developing the technology and increasing the amount of renewable energy generated.

Another renewable energy option is to have your business fitted out so that it is totally self-sufficient in terms of its energy needs. You can set up solar panels on buildings that use the sun's energy to generate electricity and install water tanks to meet your water requirements. Although somewhat costly in the short term, you may never have to pay energy bills again, resulting in significant long term cost savings. Your business will also become substantially more environmentally sustainable if it is able to meet its own energy requirements.

 (M.Russo, 2008.)

                                                                                                                           - Sakya-

                                                                                             
References
Russo, M. (2008.). Environmental Management: . environmentally sustainable strategies from http://toolkit.smallbiz.nsw.gov.au/part/17/87/379
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