Today, energy and the environment are on the minds of nearly every politician, business owner and consumer. For business owners, focusing on energy and the environment translates into operational efficiency and growth into emerging markets.

Companies are cutting costs and improving their bottom lines by monitoring their energy consumption and power distribution and implementing the best practices for efficient energy use. The Energy Star Small Business program estimates that business owners can improve energy efficiency by 10 to 30 percent by switching to low-cost technologies and the best practices. Consider the following tips to help you choose products and services for energy and the environment practices best suited for your company:

1. Assess the benefits of alternative energy and renewable energy products.

2. Compare rates and services offered by different types of energy companies.

3. Learn about the benefits of monitoring power distribution.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Consult with a firm specializing in energy and the environment

Environmental consulting firms help small business owners effectively address their concerns related to rising fuel costs, global climate and other environmental issues. These firms can help you implement procedures to monitor your energy consumption and reduce your company's carbon footprint, which is the impact that your business activities have on the environment measured in terms of units of carbon dioxide produced. In addition, environmental consulting firms can help you explore the benefits of various renewable and alternative energy options and natural resources.

I recommend: First Choice Power offers low-cost business energy solutions as well as tips on how to save energy. Green Ideas is a consulting firm that provides advice on energy conservation and sustainability practices.

Explore costs and services offered by energy companies

Companies in the energy industry address a range of commercial power and utility needs. Today the focus of energy markets has changed as companies compete to create innovative technologies to help businesses conserve energy and protect environmental resources.

I recommend: NYSEG specializes in natural gas and other alternate energy products, including their NewWind Energy program that allows companies to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by using clean and renewable wind-generated electricity. While NYSEG has businesses in New York covered, its parent company Energy East has companies covering the east coast from New York to Maine dedicated to helping the environment. The Solar Energy Company offers solar panels to help business owners employ solar energy as a power source. With federal and state investment tax credits and some state’s offering cash rebates on solar system installation, it’s never been a better time to combine solar energy and the environment.

Lower energy costs with power distribution monitoring systems

Technology manufacturers in energy markets are racing to the marketplace with a range of affordable, power distribution monitoring systems designed to help businesses lower energy costs and increase business profitability. As a result, nearly all newly created technology devices are designed with built-in power management components.

I recommend: MRV Power Management offers a range of on-site and remote power distribution monitoring products. Its products allow you to turn on or turn off managed devices while offsite, which promotes energy savings and extends the life of equipment you can turn off when it’s job is done. Linear Technology provides businesses with efficient power distribution monitoring solutions by way of high performance power integrated circuits.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  The greatest misconception is that energy and the environment technologies are more expensive. In fact, business owners generally have reported a savings of approximately 20-30 percent in operating costs after implementing practices to decrease energy consumption and reduce waste.