Does Water and Energy Conservation Make Economic Sense?
Posted: Friday, January 22, 2010
by Mark Franklin
Saves You Energy, llc
On January 9 th Randolph Schmid, a science writer for AP, reported that researchers had provided "fresh evidence that the planet may be warming at a potentially disastrous rate". In fact they had determined that the period between 2000 and 2009 was the warmest decade on record, shattering the previous high we experienced between 1990 and 1999. Whether you believe this is further proof we are experiencing global warming brought on by human behavior or just a natural phase we are going through, I can tell you with certainty tempers are rising on both sides of the issue.
The more important question you should be asking is:
Does it make economic sense to implement the water and/or energy conservation strategies or technologies that you are considering?Personnally, I did not get into the conservation business to save the planet. On the contrary I saw conservation as an opportunity for building owners to lower expenses and increase property values. As it turns out we can do things that make us more money and are better for the environment.
In this column I am not going to address the question of global warming but rather look at what makes economic sense for your building (s). Whether its popular ideas like solar and LED lighting or lesser known technologies like vending misers and drip stop washers for your faucets I'll give you my opinion if it makes sense in your situation.
I tell all of my clients just because the gas or electric company is offering a rebate for a particular product doesn't mean it makes economic sense. For instance, if the gas company offers you thousands of dollars to install solar swimming pool heaters but it still takes 10 years to get a return on your investment and you intend to sell your building as soon as the market turns around, don't do it.
You might argue that by installing the solar equipment you will lower your expenses and increase your property's value. But does a few months of lower expenses represent a trend or is it an anomaly that may go away with the next change in weather. If you were in the market to buy a building would you rely on the most recent 6 months or look at the last 5 years?
Just for the record I am a fan of solar under the right circumstances although because of the manufacturing process it may not be as good for the environment as we might think. Every technology has its pros and cons. Let's talk about what makes sense for your property and leave the question of global warming to the patrons at the local coffee shop.
And by the way, I do believe we are causing global warming. If for no other reason, it's good for my business.
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Top-level comments on this article: (2 total)Mark,Well said and very refreshing. Personally, I do not believe in global warming; however, I do believe in climate change -- something that has been happening since the earth was created.I do think we should do as much as possible to conserve energy. However, changing from incandescent lighting to fluorescent lighting is not one of them.Thanks for an interesting take,
Mark,I think you are not alone in your opinion that saving energy makes economic sense for every business and home owner.As we all know the issue of global warming has been an ongoing debate for as long as I can remember, with scientists on both sides of the fence stating information about the planet that doesn't answer any questions about global warming.I agree that saving energy in the right areas will save you money.
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