How To Save Energy

Recently many major retailers have announced green design plans to save on energy costs while at the same time helping to improve the environment. For good reason, going green seems to be more contagious than bad fashion trends, like baggy jeans and fuzzy snow boots. Whether their motive is for self interest or for altruist reasons, the environment wins either way, which is good.  

Many retailers are finding out that even small changes make huge differences in efficiency. One major retailer found out that if they took out the light bulbs in the break room vending machines at every location, they would save 1 million dollars a year. Kudos to them for thinking outside of the box and finding a simple energy solution. And that is what it takes sometimes to find simple solutions, thinking outside of the box. Just look around your office and notice what is using electricity. For instance, microwaves and coffee makers use constant power to keep the clocks running. But how many people rely on those clocks? Now, one microwave oven and coffee maker uses only milliamps to maintain the time. But if everyone in the self storage industry were to unplug them from the outlet when not in use, we would save mega wattage.

Other larger big house retailers have made it their goal to find major innovative renewable energy resources to run their business more efficiently. Experiments to cut wastes include studying everything from recycling cooking oil to testing wind power. Some retailers’ green design includes building new stores with skylights that bring in natural light. From this they can keep the light switch turned off and the heater on low during the day. Instead of skylights, some retailers are installing solar paneling on the roof. This takes them off the grid and keeps them independent from tradition fossil fuel energy resources. 

The self storage industry needs to join the car pool of other retailers with green design plans. Storage property managers can ask customers to bring back moving boxes and other packaging supplies to the self storage facility where they can be reused or recycled. Most self storage properties have vending machines with continuous lighting. Property managers should steel the idea removing the light bulbs. The beverage companies profit from businesses with vending machines on the business’s energy expense. Where do you think they plug in the machine at; it’s not at their own plant. Each individual self storage unit does not use much energy to power. However, that should not stop property managers from installing solar panels. It still follows the green design by cutting cost and helping the environment. On the other hand, climate control units use a great deal of energy to keep storage at a consistent temperature. If property managers can get them to run by solar power, it would make a world of a difference.

If the self storage industry doesn’t come up with a green design plan, then the government will and that is not always good. So far the government has let many industries search for solutions to improve the environment, but if we are not ahead of the game with a green design plan, it will be mandated.  

Written by Kurt Schellenberger

Storage Concierge is your premier Storage, Storage Unit, Car Storage, RV Storage, Furniture Storage, Boat Storage, Yacht Storage and Self Storage Finder.

Massachusetts Storage Units

Storage Unit

Tweet This Post 

Disclamer: This entry is intended to promote our partner StorageMart and some or all participants received compensation.

View Staff's Profile      Subscribe via RSS