It seems like so many businesses and individuals are talking about going “green” these days. But what exactly does that mean? Much of society states we do more harm to the planet than good, but in what way is that measured? Most of the proposed solutions fall anywhere from vague to downright extreme.
But in comparison to the 1970s and ’80s, when I was growing up, modern-day America is much cleaner and environmentally safe. Don’t let anyone steer you wrong on that. We have indeed come a long way!
Still, the good book does tell us to be good stewards of the earth. Nature is beautiful, and it only seems responsible to clean up the messes we make. In short, we should all do our part.
That’s sound advice, because when we think of “saving” the entire planet, we are hindered by analysis paralysis. What’s the best course of action? Where do I begin? How do I know what I do will be a benefit to the environment and society as a whole? What do the experts say?
Barry McMahan, with Energy Management Solutions, is one of those experts. For over a decade, he has been showing businesses how to save money on their electric bills. McMahan helps with lighting upgrades, better heating and air efficiency.
Any operation that uses a lot of electricity—for example, air conditioning, lighting, refrigeration and electric motors—can get a fast return on their investment by implementing McMahan’s energy-saving plans.
Last year, the Tennessee Valley Authority named Energy Management Solutions as a “Top 10 Preferred Partner.” Additionally, one of the company’s projects was nominated by the Association of Energy Engineers for an efficiency award. It was a job that will save approximately $1.2 million over the next 10 years. So, business owners are happy to talk to Barry.
“Some of the easy stuff is swapping out lighting,” McMahan said. “It’s amazing how many companies still have fluorescent lights. An old-fashioned fluorescent light has the efficiency of 95 lumens per watt, but a new LED light might be 170 lumens per watt.”
So, for almost half the cost, a space can be lit just as brightly. That’s good for the environment as well as the pocketbook.
This is just one example of how being energy efficient makes a difference in a company’s bottom line. There are still a lot of manufacturers and shops that have older machines.
“We’ve done a lot of lighting, but the big savings is where you have motors and refrigeration,” McMahan said. “Many of these older manufacturing tools can be updated with governors and switchboxes which prevent mechanicals from running at energy-wasting speeds.
“There is a difference between using new money for an investment versus taking an existing expense—like electricity, which you’re already spending. You are just redirecting money you are already spending,” according to the Energy Management Solutions owner.
Taking into account additional federal grants and rebates, companies can make some beneficial improvements with very little out-of-pocket expense before they see their return on their efficiency investment.
Using less electricity isn’t just good for the environment, it’s just good business sense as well.
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Contact Energy Management Solutions and ask about their free facilities surveys or energy audits. Contact Barry McMahan at barrymcmahan@midsouthems.com or 615-663-7701.
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