Getting Started
“Putting Energy into Profits, EnergyStar Guide for Small Business”. This 39-page booklet talks about how to get started, sure energy savers, larger opportunities, calculating yours savings and greening your business.
EnergyGuide web site. Use Business Analyzer to conduct a self-guided, energy-efficiency analysis of your small or mid-sized business.
Equipment Information
ENERGY STAR Small Business. This web site provides technical support through Email, a Technical Question service and Technical Resources; information about ENERGY STAR labeled products, and Public Relations materials to promote your efforts.
Washington State University, Extension Energy Program. This web site includes downloadable publications about specialized energy uses such as boilers, motors and drives; heating, ventilation and cooling and water heating.
Calculate Energy Savings
Financial Analysis: It always pays to do your homework before investing in energy-efficient equipment such as ENERGY STAR qualified products. What products and equipment really work? How much will it cost to install? Where do you find the money? How quickly will you recover your investment? Click here to access resources to help you get the answers that will work for your business.
Energy Savings Calculators from Energy Star: This link provides access to calculators that estimate the annual dollar and energy savings you can expect by installing an ENERGY STAR qualified product.
If You Lease
Sample Landlord Tenant Lease Agreement. This model lease agreement will provide businesses leasing space to enter into a cooperative arrangement with the landlord to implement energy efficiency improvements, and share in the benefits.
EnergyStar Tips for Tenants. This web site discusses energy efficiency options for renters and tenants.
Tax Credits/Tax Incentives
To access the Database for State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE), click here. DSIRE is a comprehensive source of information on state, local, utility, and federal incentives that promote renewable energy and energy efficiency.
To access information about federal tax credits for energy efficiency, click here.
Incentives, Grants and Loans
The following three links connect you with information about the energy efficiency programs of the major Idaho utility companies, as well as grant and loan programs administered by the Idaho Office of Energy Resources and USDA Rural Development.
Avista
Idaho Power Company
Rocky Mountain Power
Idaho Office of Energy Resources
USDA Rural Development
Lamp Disposal
Waste lamps can contain levels of mercury and lead that make them hazardous waste when disposed of in certain ways. Some fluorescent lamps manufactured prior to 1978 were also commonly manufactured with PCBs. If your business generates waste lamps, you have several choices in managing that waste. Mercury and PCB-containing lamps must either be recycled as universal waste or managed as hazardous waste.
To learn more about the applicable requirements and disposal options, click here .
To learn more about the management and disposal of all universal wastes, click here .
To learn more about the regulations governing hazardous waste, click here .
The Association of Lighting and Mercury Recyclers offers a training module on the proper management and disposal of lamps and ballasts. To view this training click here
To print a PDF copy