Technical Resources for Small Businesses
Whether or not your business already has a developed energy program, the seven steps of the ENERGY STAR Guidelines for Energy Management as described in the ENERGY STAR® Action Workbook for Small Business and its Appendices (PDF, 2.4 M) provide a strategic approach to improving your property’s energy performance.
Understanding how your property is currently using energy will help determine where to focus your efforts. You have to begin somewhere! Your starting point is called a “baseline” of energy performance—a point from which to calculate improvements in your company’s operations. You can use the free ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager® tool to baseline energy and water consumption, as well as GHG emissions. You can also use it to benchmark the performance of one property or a whole portfolio of properties, all in a secure online environment. Use the resources below to implement energy-saving improvements.
- ENERGY STAR Action Workbook for Small Business
- ENERGY STAR Action Workbook for Small Business Appendices (PDF, 2.4 M)
- ENERGY STAR Action Workbook for Small Business Summary
- Benchmarking your Property with Portfolio Manager
Your small business can use these sector-specific technical resources to implement energy-saving improvements. And, don’t forget that the money you save in operating costs adds to your bottom line, so saving on energy increases your profit. It’s a win for you and a win for the environment. Below, find sector-specific resources for:
- Restaurants
- Auto dealers
- Lodging
- Offices: owners and renters
- Grocery and convenience stores
- Small and medium manufacturers
- Home-based businesses
For restaurants
- Energy Tips for Small Business – Restaurants
- ENERGY STAR Commercial Kitchen Package
- ENERGY STAR Energy Efficiency Opportunities for Your Restaurant
For auto dealers
For lodging
For offices: owners and renters
For grocery and convenience stores
For small and medium manufacturers
- Energy Tips for Small Business – Small and Medium Manufacturers
- Small & Medium Manufacturer’s Guide to Energy Management