| "I've come to the conclusion that energy | | | | following advice to get businesses headed in |
| policy is like the weather: Everyone has an | | | | the right direction: |
| opinion on it but expects someone else to do | | | | |
| something about it," said the United States | | | | 1. Appoint an "Energy Czar." Someone must be |
| Secretary of Energy, Samuel W. Bodman, at the | | | | responsible for driving efforts. |
| 18th Annual Energy Efficiency Forum. Harsh | | | | |
| words, perhaps. But it had to be said. | | | | 2. Conduct an energy audit; it's the basis |
| | | | for determining current energy usage. Be sure |
| He wasn't talking about average homeowners | | | | to set future savings goals. |
| changing light bulbs and air filters. He was | | | | |
| talking about major energy users-corporate | | | | 3. Install a building-management system. They |
| America. | | | | can save millions. |
| | | | |
| The single largest consumers of energy in the | | | | 4. Consider "performance contracting." This |
| country are large commercial and | | | | allows you to make upgrades now but pay for |
| nonresidential buildings. That includes | | | | them later with funds generated from energy |
| office buildings, schools, government | | | | savings. |
| agencies, healthcare facilities, retail | | | | |
| centers and military complexes. According to | | | | 5. Include renewable energy. Pairing it with |
| the International Energy Agency, these | | | | efficiency measures yields greater savings. |
| structures are responsible for nearly 40 | | | | |
| percent of all energy consumed. | | | | 6. Make employees aware of energy usage. Even |
| | | | turning out unnecessary lights and reducing |
| Obviously, it will take a great deal more | | | | water usage will go a very long way. |
| than changing old incandescent bulbs and | | | | |
| cleaning filters in order for these buildings | | | | For any energy-efficiency plan to be |
| to make a difference. Johnson Controls, Inc., | | | | effective, everyone in the company will have |
| a building efficiency solutions-provider to | | | | to be aware of and responsible for executing |
| companies around the world, recommends the | | | | these best practices. |