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In B.C., we've been long accustomed to low-cost energy. That means organizations and businesses have tended to treat energy (especially electricity) as a fixed cost, not one they pay much attention to or manage. The result is often that we use more than we need and fail to identify efficiencies that could save money. If your organization operates any sort of building or facility, or rents a space where it pays its own utility accounts, managing energy will help you conserve, and save.

How to take action

  • Monitor your organization's electric and gas bills for a few months. Consider what saving money on your energy bills each month would be worth to your group.
  • Do a carbon footprint assessment for your organization. You can choose a home or business carbon calculator – depending on what seems like the best fit for your organization.
  • Ask one person to act as your energy "manager" and keep on top of options for incentives, and ways to conserve and save. Ask them to track energy regularly and bring it forward for discussion it at your organization's meetings. Monitoring and discussing your energy use will help your members become more aware of conservation and more likely to take part in conservation efforts.
  • Set targets for energy savings and/or carbon reductions that seem achievable over a specific period of time (i.e. several months or a year). Spread the word throughout your organization that you need their help in being energy conscious and reducing your impact on the climate. Report on progress so that everyone gets feedback on their efforts.
  • You can do your own walk-through energy audit to start identifying opportunities for saving energy. However, if you plan to do any renovations or retrofits and are interested in the ecoENERGY Retrofit Incentive for Buildings offered by Natural Resources Canada, note that you must conduct a pre-project energy audit using a qualified service provider before you start work.

Why it makes a difference

  • It's an old business adage that "what gets measured gets managed". Taking an active approach to your organization's energy bills and greenhouse gas emissions will make it much easier to achieve reductions and savings.
  • Greenhouse gas emissions come from every sector of the economy, including households, business, industry, and transportation. Only by taking action in all groups we belong to, and all activities we pursue, will we accomplish the reductions and efficiencies we need to mitigate climate change.

Last Modified: May 10, 2012

 

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