HD Supply Presents: Green Made Simple
Cutting energy costs and carbon emissions is easier than you might think. Start saving money the green way, and most of the measures listed below won’t affect your guests’ brand experience or create much extra work for your staff:
1. As compared to incandescent bulbs, fluorescent light bulbs consume 75% less electricity, last 4-15 times longer, and generate 74% less heat. Lighting typically accounts for 25% of total energy costs, so switching lightbulbs accounts for dramatic savings.
2. Dimming the lights by 10% not only saves money, but also more than doubles the life expectancy of a bulb.
3. Typical exit signs cost $60 in energy costs per year per sign. Switching to a light-emitting diode (LED) only costs $1 per year. Performing routine maintenance inspections of faucets and toilets can prevent water waste. According to the US EPA a faucet dripping at one drop per second wastes 2,700 gallons per year.
4. Occupancy sensors, which turn lighting, heating and cooling units on or off based on whether or not a person is present in a room, can reduce energy costs by as much as 50%.
5. Lowering your thermostat 2 degrees in winter and raising it 2 degrees in summer can save 2,000 pounds of carbon emissions per year, according to stopgobalwarming.net.
6. Programmable thermostats eliminate unnecessary energy usage by heating or cooling a living space only when needed.
7. Sealing air leaks in your walls, ceiling, windows, doors, and floor can save up to 20% in heating and cooling costs, and 10% on your total annual energy bill.
8. Applying an elastomeric cool roof coating extends the life of a roof and reflects more of the sun’s energy back into the atmosphere, keeping your building cooler and reducing your air conditioning costs.
9. Upgrading from T12 to T8 fluorescent light bulbs can save up to 32% in energy costs.
For more information on specific products that support your greening efforts, visit HD Supply’s www.ideallygreen.com.