The Economy

HECO gives small businesses energy saving tips

Hawaiian Electric Company is offering two new free guides: Ways to Save at Work which lists easy-to-follow workplace tips for employees and Power to Save for Small Business to help employers launch an energy-conservation program, including estimated costs to operate common equipment and appliances.

The guides complement similar Hawaiian Electric guides for residential customers, but are tailored to small business offices and commercial kitchens. They offer tips for those too busy to spend hours doing research or who are not ready to invest in a major energy consultation or audit.

Small commercial kitchens are included because they can see significant savings with a few changes. According to the National Restaurant Association, commercial restaurants often use more than five times the energy per square foot than other space in commercial buildings.

Nationally, small businesses make up 99.7 percent of all employer firms and employ half of all private-sector employees. They have generated 60 to 80 percent of net new jobs annually over the last decade. According to the State Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, 52 percent of Hawaii’s businesses have fewer than five employees and 94 percent have fewer than 50.

Among the tips:

  • A standard hot-and-cold bottled water dispenser can use more energy than a large refrigerator. An Energy Star refrigerator requires only about half as much energy, reducing costs by over $1,200 a year at 2008 average electric rates for most small businesses on Oahu when compared to a conventional model.
  • Vending machines can be large energy consumers in an office. Energy Star vending machines also use about half the energy and can save over $500 in a year at 2008 average Oahu electric rates for most small businesses.

The guides are available on-line at www.heco.com, at Hawaiian Electric customer service desks in Honolulu at 900 Richards St. and 820 Ward Ave., or by calling (808) 543-7511. Guides will also be available at the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, Hawaii Energy Efficiency Program, Hawaii Women’s Business Center and Hawaii Small Business Development Center Network offices in Hilo, Kailua-Kona, Kihei, Lihue and Honolulu.