What to Do When Going Green Gets Confusing

History attests to countless social movements that took off with exuberant momentum only to create a collective backlash years later. This is the natural flow of human psychology and desire.

In recent years the public has been inundated with the concepts of green conscious, sustainability, and the necessity of protecting the environment. This was closely followed by a virtual flood of environmentally friendly products and services that was bolstered by strong consumer demand. Even at the beginning of this year numerous industry trend forecasts predicted that eco-friendly business would be a major money maker.

But according to recent studies, the call for all things green has turned into a “green noise” that many consumers are quick to shut out. Though these studies suggest that the state of the economy is partly to blame for this reduction in consumer demand, much of the consumer apathy is due to the overload of information and conflicting messages promoted by eco-marketers and environmentalists.

For those consumers and businesses that committed to protecting the environment, yet are either confused or jaded (or both), check out these helpful links:

Blog Post: Five Suggestions for Businesses Confronted with Green Fatigue and Green Noise

Simplesteps.org: Get practical advice on green living depending on if you want to spend a minute, a morning, or a month on the project.

George Carlin: A deep and humorous look at “saving” the planet

Tips for Cooling Your Small Business with Energy Star

With the summer fast approaching, now is the perfect time to invest in an eco-friendly workspace. The Environmental Protection Agency recently put out this list of tips to help small businesses keep a comfortable work area while saving energy and protecting the environment:

5. Turn off lights and equipment when not in use and use Energy Star qualified CFLs wherever appropriate. High utility costs are often a result of paying for energy that is completely wasted by lights left on for long periods while not in use. CFLs use 75% less energy than standard incandescent bulbs to provide the same amount of light, last up to 10 times longer, and generate less heat than conventional light bulbs.

4.Use fans to reduce the need for air conditioning. Energy Star qualified ceiling fans can cut energy use — circulating air can make a somewhat higher temperature and/or humidity feel more comfortable. In fact a temperature setting of only 3 to 5 degrees higher can feel just as comfortable when fans are used. So turn the thermostat up several degrees while using the fans to deliver the extra cooling comfort. A ceiling fan cools you - not the room - so remember to turn the fan off when you leave the room.

Each degree of higher temperature can save about 3% on cooling costs. When the temperature outside is more comfortable than inside, a “box fan” in the window or large building fan in the attic can push air out of the building and pull in comfortable outside air.

3. Install an Energy Star qualified programmable thermostat. Install as Energy Star qualified programmable thermostat to automate your air-conditioning (HVAC) system and save energy while your small business is closed or unoccupied. This solid-state, electronic device automatically adjusts temperature settings based on your schedule, and can be “overridden” as needed for unscheduled events. This “smart thermostat” can turn on the HVAC one hour before arrival and keep it off or at a higher, more energy- efficient temperature on weekends instead of heating or cooling unoccupied space.

2. Schedule annual, pre-season maintenance checkups with a licensed contractor to ensure your cooling system is operating efficiently and safely. “Tune-up” your heating, ventilating, and HVAC system with an annual maintenance contract. Even better, have your HVAC serviced prior to both heating and cooling seasons.

A new Energy Star qualified HVAC system, like a new car, will decline in performance without regular maintenance. A contract automatically ensures that your HVAC contractor will provide pre-season tune-ups before each cooling and heating season. You save energy and money, and your system may last years longer with reasonably priced yearly maintenance fees. Your chances of an emergency HVAC break-down also become very remote with regular maintenance. Change (or clean if reusable) HVAC filters every month during peak cooling or heating season.

1.Use Energy Star qualified products. Energy Star qualified products are a good business investment. Products that display the Energy Star label operate more efficiently, save energy, and help protect the environment.