• During office hours, use fans or space heaters instead of air conditioning or heating.

• Install programmable thermostats. Set your heating to 68°F and cooling to 74°F during office hours. When the office is unoccupied, set the temperature at 55°F for heating and 90°F for cooling. Click here for FAQs on programmable thermostats.

• Reduce the amount of heat that enters your home office by applying window film or installing double-paned energy efficient windows. Use screens, native shade trees, and awnings to shade sun-exposed windows.

• Purchase carbon offsets and/or install renewable energy sources by visiting www.green-e.org. 

• Power2switch.com is an energy broker that helps businesses and homeowners switch their electric providers for both residential and commercial buildings. Third-party energy suppliers are often less expensive than traditional suppliers like ComEd. In addition, many of these companies sell “green” energy from solar or wind farms.

• Install solar panels on your house. Green Envelope Inc. and Solar Service Inc. are two local companies that manufacture solar roofs that can provide electricity for your business.  They can also provide solar-heated hot water systems. These systems start at around $12,000, after federal and/or state rebates.

• Set the temperature of your refrigerator between 38°F and 41°F, and freezer between 10°F and 20°F.

• Any refrigerators over 10 years old should be replaced with more efficient ENERGY STAR-certified models. Federal and state government programs often offer rebates or tax credits for exchanging old, inefficient refrigerators (or other appliances) with newer ENERGY STAR-certified models. Search for an incentive program in your area by visiting the ENERGY STAR rebate locator and enter your ZIP code along with the type(s) of item(s) you are interested in purchasing.

• Click here to download a savings calculator spreadsheet and find out how much money you’ll save by implementing some (or all) of these initiatives.

Weatherizing Your Home and Home Office
Weatherizing creates an envelope around your building to keep heated or cooled air in, which saves energy. There are three ways to weatherize your space, depending on the kind of building your business occupies:

1. Insulation can be installed into walls and ceilings, trapping heated or cooled air inside your home’s conditioned space. Installation costs vary by the size of space and the materials used. One type of insulation, and also the most eco-friendly, is post-industrial recycled denim.
   
   
2. Caulking and weatherstripping external gaps are simple steps that can make a big difference. Caulking and/or weather stripping can prevent gaps between windows, doors and foundations from leaking air.  It only costs about $300 when done by a handyman, or far less if you do it yourself.
   
   
3. Energy-efficient windows trap heat inside during the winter and keep it out during the summer. Although replacing windows can be costly, a less expensive option is energy-trapping window film, available at most hardware stores for around $40. The film attaches to the glass on your current windows, which is an economical option for storefronts with large display windows.

BASE member Energy Reduction Inc. is an Evanston company that retrofits old buildings using the methods above. Visit their website for more information and to request a free estimate.

• Use natural light as much as possible, and reduce the amount of artificial light used during daylight hours.

• Install optical reflectors or diffusers to lighting fixtures to increase lighting efficiency.

• Install lighting control devices such as motion sensors, delay timers, and time clocks, which are especially useful in low occupancy rooms such as restrooms or storage closets.

• Display “turn off the light” signs next to all light switches.

• Dust and dirt residue can reduce lighting efficiency. Schedule lamps and light fixtures to be cleaned regularly.

• Among artificial lighting, incandescent light bulbs are the most common bulbs but also the least energy efficient. Gradually phase them out and replace them with compact fluorescent (CFL) or LED light bulbs. CFL is currently the industry standard, but LED is becoming an increasingly popular alternative. Both fit in the same fixtures as conventional incandescent light bulbs but are much more energy efficient. While the initial purchase price is higher for CFLs and LEDs, the savings in electricity are significant in the long run. While generally more expensive than CFL bulbs, LEDs last longer and create more light, increasing the energy savings over their lifetimes.  ComEd offers financial incentives to help defray the cost.

• Replace low-wattage dimming bulbs with cold cathodes. Use halogen lamps for low-wattage spotlighting.

• T-12 fluorescent lighting should be replaced with energy-efficient T-8 or T-5 fixtures. These fixtures should have electronic ballasts, such as GE UltraMax, to dim lights when there is adequate daylight.

• All bulbs contain small amounts of mercury and other toxic chemicals that should be disposed of properly and safely. The City of Evanston has a CFL and Florescent Tube Lighting recycling program; all bulbs can be dropped off at the following facilities.  Please note their differing requirements:
  
  
  • Evanston Civic Center
    2100 Ridge Avenue
    CFLs and fluorescent tubes only
  
  
  • Evanston Ecology Center
    2024 McCormick Blvd.
    CFLs only

• “Vampire energy" from unused electronic devices can add about $5 a month to your electric bill. To eliminate your phantom load, unplug all devices and chargers when not in use, or invest in a smart strip, which is a power strip with two sections of outlets. A few are reserved for appliances that must always be plugged in, while the rest are turned on and off by a switch when appliances are not in use. Smart strips are available at your local hardware store for about $20.

• Computers use a lot of energy when not in use. Even using screensavers does not significantly reduce the amount of energy expelled by your computer.  Program computer monitors to enter sleep mode after at least 15 minutes of inactivity to save energy.
  
  Learn more at Power Manage Computers and Energy Star.

• Activate power management features on your PC and save $25–75 per PC annually.  For more information, visit Energy Star.

• Purchase Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT)-registered computers. EPEAT products are energy efficient and use less toxic materials. Visit the EPEAT (Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool) for more information.

• Regularly check for and repair leaks. Do not leave taps dripping—one drop wasted per second totals 10,000 liters per year! Track monthly water use and monitor bills to spot leaks.

• After routine plumbing inspections, ensure that all modifications made still meet the required flow rates.

• Run the dishwasher only when completely full.

• If you are using an old dishwasher you may be paying an extra $40 on your yearly utility bill. Install a new ENERGY STAR qualified model to save money. Visit Energy Star for more information.

• Water pressure (pressure reducing valve) should between 60-80 PSI to optimize performance.

• Set the temperature of hot water heaters between 120-140°F and insulate all major hot water pipes.

• Install low-flow faucet aerators and showerheads. Flow rates should not exceed 0.5 gpm on lavatory sinks. Look for the EPA’s WATER SENSE label when shopping for fixtures.

• Install displacement toilet dams in toilet reservoirs. Place 1-2 plastic containers filled with stones in the toilet’s reservoir, which will displace around 4 liters of water per flush.

• Replace toilets made before 1992 with more efficient models that use 1.6 gpf or less. Replace pre-1992 urinals with high-efficiency models (that use 1.0 gpf or less), or water-free urinals.

• Review the following lists to find out what can be recycled in your area: Keep Evanston Beautiful and City of Evanston.

• Setting up a recycling system for your business is quick, easy, and cost-efficient. In Evanston, each business is entitled to a free 95 gallon bin for mixed recycled materials.  Additional bins can be purchased from Groot Industries. To create or update an account, contact Brian Koppen, Franchise Account Manager at Groot Industries at (800)-224-1977 or bkoppen@groot.com and provide the following information:
  
  
  • Business Name
  • Account Number
  • Address
  • Contact Person
  • Phone Number
  • Service Requested

• Provide clearly labeled sorting bins for paper, plastics, cans, glass and organic/composting matter.  Avoid using bin liners for recycling/trash bins if possible. BPI-certified bags are acceptable for lining compost bins if necessary.

• Your business can compost ALL of its food waste with ease. Composting helps reduce space in landfills and returns organic material back to the earth, where it can be turned into all-natural plant fertilizer. The process is fairly easy. A local Evanston service, Collective Resource Inc., passes the materials on to a mass composting/fertilizing service. Composting can also be done in a basement or backyard. Download the City of Evanston's Composting Brochure for more information.

• Recycling can be dropped off at the facilities listed here.

• Old electronics and appliances, such as cell phones, TVs, refrigerators and other consumer devices must be recycled properly to prevent from spilling toxic chemicals into the earth and atmosphere. These items can be dropped off at the Chicago Recycling Center on Goose Island at 1150 N Branch St, Chicago, IL 60686. For questions, call their office at (312) 744-4611.

• Save money and help reduce oil consumption worldwide by discontinuing the use of plastic water bottles. For filtered water, purchase Brita pitchers or PUR instant tap water filters for your faucets.

• Communication by email or phone in lieu of paper communications. Carefully assess whether email communications and attachments need to be printed out.

• Reduce the amount of paper printouts by using smaller fonts and margins and printing your documents double-sided.

• Keep old paper that can be used for scratch paper near your printer, and encourage your employees to use it when necessary.

• Scan documents and send faxes electronically to conserve paper. To send and receive faxes electronically, check out Send2Fax, MyFax and Snappy Software.com.

• To reduce the amount of junk mail you receive, visit www.StopJunkMail.org

• Buy chlorine-free paper made from recycled/recyclable content. Paper that is at least 50% post consumer waste (PCW) is recommended. To buy recyclable paper visit, Echo Paper Store. Look for the EcoLogo when buying paper.

• Plotter paper and colored paper should have a minimum of 30% recycled content. To learn more visit, http://www.paperrecycles.org/index.html.

• Print letterheads, envelopes, and business cards on paper/cardstock that contains at least 50% PCW recycled content.

• Janitorial paper products should also contain post-consumer waste. Paper towels should contain a minimum of 40% PCW recycled content, and toilet paper and tissues should contain a minimum of 20% PCW recycled content.

• Reuse packing materials (paper or plastic) for your own shipments.

• Drop off any non-recyclable packaging materials (e.g., Styrofoam, bubble wrap, etc.) at local shipping stores. To find the nearest drop-off location, visit The Plastic Loose Fill Council website.

• Choose vendors that use reusable or recyclable containers and minimal packaging.

• Use corrugated or recyclable boards instead of foamcore.

• Eliminate inner-pack dividers in shipping containers.

• Environmentally Preferred Purchasing, also known as “green purchasing”, is to buy normal, everyday products made sustainably. These include standard office supplies, recycled printer paper and napkins, corn or sugarcane-based cups and utensils, and many other materials made from renewable resources. Most of these materials are available at local hardware stores, supermarkets, and specialty stores, including retailer and BASE member YES! Green Living.

• Use reusable bags instead of paper or plastic bags when shopping.

• Eliminate the use of aerosol cans in your office.

• Use zero- or low-VOC paints. These items can be purchased in numerous places including Healthy Green Goods and Harmony Haus.

• Buy organic cotton or hemp shower curtains.

• Buy biodegradable laundry detergent and bleach alternative.

• When you need to re-shingle your roof, consider recycled materials such as steel panels.

• When you need to replace your siding, consider fiber-cement.

• Install bamboo flooring, which are more sustainable than hardwood—it only takes bamboo 4-6 years to mature, compared to 50-100 years for hardwoods.

• If you need to replace or buy new carpet, only buy carpet made from natural fibers, recycled nylon.  Look for low VOCs.

• Buy nickel-metal-hydride (Ni-cad) and/or lithium rechargeable batteries instead of nickel cadmium (Ni-Cad) batteries because they are very toxic.

• Use Integrated Pest Management (IPM) tactics instead of toxic pesticides. For more information, visit the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Principles page published by the Environmental Protection Agency.

• Employ a third party certified pest control operator (PCO), such as Green Shield Certified PCO or A-Plus Green Pest Control.

• Use cleaning products that are less toxic, such as Green Seal and Ecologo certified products listed on the Responsible Purchasing Networks Product Database. Visit The Santa Monica Office of Sustainability and the Environment's excellent resource on purchasing green products.

• Store all chemical products in their original containers or with proper labels and secure lids if needed. All products should be stored securely in controlled areas.

• Properly dispose of old/unwanted chemicals. Contact the Office for Research Safety at Northwestern University for more information on how to dispose of hazardous chemicals.

• SWANCC, a local recycling agency, produced a free guide filled with simple recipes for everyday cleaning solutions, made from natural ingredients that can be purchased at any local grocery store. Click here for the online version.

• Adjust your sprinklers for proper coverage to reduce water.  All sprinkler heads should have rotating nozzles.

• Create a watering schedule for your landscape by visiting SB Water.

• Set your irrigation system to start during non-daylight hours.

• All shrub, tree, and planted bed zones should be watered by non-spray or drip irrigation.

• Use water-wise shrubs or ground cover instead of turf grass. Plant only native and water-wise plants, and group plants with similar water requirements together.

• Only mow your lawn when it is dry and leave the grass clippings on the ground to decompose and return nutrients to your lawn.

• Use an electric or manual lawn mower instead of a gas-powered model.

• Do not use dust-producing equipment like leaf blowers.

• Apply mulch annually to exposed soil to increase moisture retention and prevent soil erosion.

• Install permeable paving (such as porous concrete, decomposed granite, or pavers) instead of hardscape.

• Use a broom or damp mop to clean outdoor areas (e.g., parking lots, sidewalks, alleyways, or patio). Do not use a hose.

• Use rain barrels in your garden. Visit Rain Barrels, Yard Gardens or download an info sheet, What Is a Rain Barrel? to learn more.

• Encourage your employees to use public transportation, and minimize the use of personal cars. Visit the RTA Transit Benefit Program website or the Pace Vanpool Program for more information on programs available to you.

• Create incentives for employees who carpool, such as preferred parking. Provide transit passes for the bus or subway and bike racks for cyclists.

• Make a CTA pretax pass available to employees. These are public transportation passes, offered in many forms that employees order through their employer. The employer buys the passes form the CTA, using money deducted from the employee’s pay. The money deducted from the employee’s pay is untaxed, saving them money on the passes. This saves money that the employee would normally pay on taxes, as well as what the business would normally pay matching their employees’ FICA withholdings. For more information, visit the CTA website for estimated savings, an outline of procedures and order forms. Click here for CTA order forms and explanations.Click here for estimated savings.

• IRS code 132(f) is a pre-tax deduction for biking, transit and vanpool costs. Create a Commuter Benefits Program so your employees can take advantage of this pre-tax deduction. Visit www.commuterbenefits.org for more information.

• Apply for the Employer Commuter Grant, visit Pace Employer Commuter Grant (vanpool)

• Use iGO car sharing or Zipcar For Businesses for your business driving needs.

• Create an inventory for your company’s fleet that includes annual vehicle miles traveled (VMT), gallons of fuel used per year, fuel type, make, model, and model year for each vehicle.

• Create a green business program for your company. Educate your employees on your company's efforts to become more sustainable, and solicit feedback and suggestions. Create incentives for employees to participate and maintain their efforts in the program.

• Post signs to remind and encourage employees about conservation efforts (e.g., recycle, turn off the lights, etc). Create a written policy for all employees to turn off lights and electronic devices when not in use, and to activate standby modes on all relevant devices.

• Notify your customers of your sustainable efforts and how you intend to maintain them.

This Informational Resources section contains a variety of links to other websites and references to resources available. BASE does not endorse any of the specific companies or websites. BASE thanks the Bay Area Green Business Program for their direction in developing this guide.