small
business
WHEN COSTCO MEMBER Bob Lawrence approved by the government’s Energy Star pro-replaced 51 recessed incandescent overhead gram can save up to $60 annually. Energy-effi-lights with energy-efficient models, he calcu- cient lighting, which measures light output in
lated it would take four years for his $2,000 lumens, provides the same amount of light
investment to pay off. while using fewer watts. It also reduces air-con-
“I knew I would save money eventually, ditioning bills because incandescent bulbs use
but, more importantly, it was the right thing 90 percent of their energy as heat and only 10
to do,” says Lawrence, president and CEO of a percent as light.
trade and public-relations consulting firm in Energy Star lighting also usually lasts up
Alexandria, Virginia. What he didn’t antici- to 10 times longer than standard bulbs, saving
pate was the new lights producing a drop in about $25 in energy costs over the life of each
waste heat, slashing his air-conditioning bulb. In addition, new models for light-emit-needs and reducing his monthly utility bill ting diode (LED) exit signs save 90 percent of
from $650 to $325. the cost of the typical incandescent bulb.
“My total return on investment came back But lighting is just the beginning. By
to me within seven months,” says Lawrence, installing a programmable, Energy Star– qual-whose experience exemplifies the sixth ified thermostat, small businesses can typi-annual “Change a Light, Change the World” cally save 25 to 30 percent. A $100 annual
campaign. Beginning in October, in sync with tune-up for heating and air conditioning usu-Energy Awareness Month, the program pre- ally saves beyond that amount in energy costs
sents a challenge from the Environmental over the course of a year.
Protection Agency and the Department of When replacing ceiling fans, new Energy
Energy. The goal? To encourage consumers to Star ceiling fan/light combination models use
reduce negative environmental impact by half the energy of traditional models. And
switching to energy-efficient lighting. because fans don’t cool a room—they only
It’s a key issue for small businesses. About cool people by creating a wind-chill effect
half of electricity use and 39 percent of nat- against their skin—turn off fans when leaving
ural-gas use in commerce and industry is the room.
annually attributed to the small-business sec- Businesses might also consider swapping
tor. “Our advice is geared to saving money by other major appliances for Energy Star mod-
saving energy. It’s not about pure conserva- els. When Lawrence needed a new heat pump,
tion. It’s about productivity and efficiency,” he replaced a four-ton piece of equipment
says Jerry Lawson, national manager of the with a high-efficiency model. The move saved
Energy Star Small Business Network. him another $50 a month in energy costs. And
At any business, changing just five of the because the new machine is more efficient, it
most frequently used light fixtures to compact also works better over a wider range of outside
fluorescent lighting and other models temperatures.
“This is a universal solution. If it’s done
T anyplace, it will have a positive effect,” Lawrence says. “Something that is a good service to the environment, your country and
your business, and saves money, is clearly the
right thing to do.” C
ake the
pledge
ENERGY STAR is inviting consumers to
take the “Change a Light” pledge this
month. The organization will show a
U.S. map of all the people who have
exchanged older
light bulbs for
energy-effi-
cent ones,
along with
the energy
savings accomplished. To pledge, go to
www.energy star.gov/changealight.
Frequent contributor Lisa Alcalay Klug’s
work has appeared in The New York Times,
Forbes.com and other publications nationwide.
The Costco Connection
Costco carries a wide variety of Energy
Star–approved lighting and appliances
for home and business, both in the
warehouses and on costco.com.
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