Sustainable energy solutions for commercial buildings are growing worldwide. Correctional facilities within the United States are making an effort to switch to more sustainable practices, complying with LEED and EnergyStar’s guidelines for energy efficiency.
As noted in a recent post, energy represents a considerable percentage of spending for all academic institutions -- from pre-school to massive university campuses and every other type of learning center.
Thecost of running an academic environment is about $243 per square foot. The cost of energy in just grades K through 12 alone is $6 billion in the U.S., second only to salaries. Higher education facilities about 50K square feet use roughly $100K in energy each year. When multiplied out for larger campuses, the statistics are staggering.
Twenty-nine of the world’s 100 greenest companies are in the United States and Canada. In 2006, fewer than 300 buildings were LEED-certified, meeting the standards for sustainable practices. Today, that number is more than 67,000, and those buildings include office spaces, municipal buildings, convention centers, schools, restaurants, and retailers.
Sustainability and the health of our environment are essential to many consumers and businesses today. Many people choose brands, products, and employers that are committed to delivering greener solutions.
Businesses in the U.S. spend more than $60 million annually on energy. Big brands and SMBs are looking at this line item for savings. Significant dollars be freed-up for critical expenses -- like talent, marketing, and useful technology. Sustainable and energy-efficient commercial buildings are also healthier for employees and customers.
Energy companies are those suppliers that secure your rate. In other words, they determine how much you pay per kilowatt-hour (or kwh). They often offer options for energy savings. They are different from utilities, which own and operate wires, maintain service, and read meters to determine your business location’s energy consumption.
Sustainability is more than a trend today. It’s imperative for both SMBs and large global companies. Decision-making with the long-term impact on our planet has several key business benefits:
In many ways, sustainable lighting is still in its early stages, but LED lighting has already proven to use 75 to 80 percent less energy than other lighting forms. Sustainable LED lights can save a total of $30 billion by 2030, cutting U.S. energy consumption in half.