| In my last article, I elaborated on how our new | | | | energy on lighting as well as cooling. Recently, studies |
| economic market will actually be a good thing for the | | | | have discovered that replacing incandescent bulbs in |
| smaller retailer and consumer of the long run. We'll | | | | enclosed housings tends to burn out CFL's faster |
| see these benefits around 2010. That means that we | | | | than their expected life term. It's best to use these |
| need to take action so that we can survive through | | | | in open fixtures where their small amount of heat can |
| the next 16 months. | | | | dissipate. |
| In a moment, I'll give you a handful of ideas on how | | | | 3) Unplug all parastic loads in your store. Go through |
| to cut your energy costs. I recently predicted the | | | | the premises and unplug that TV and DVD player in |
| downturn of the U.S. dollar and explained why | | | | the staff room unless you're using it. Even though |
| speculators needed to buy U.S. dollars to pay off | | | | they're off, they will consumer about a hundred |
| their bad margins. The dollar is actually falling faster | | | | watts apiece day in and day out, 24 hours a day. Do |
| than even I predicted! My other prediction was that | | | | you have an extra desk top computer running in the |
| in spite of a $2.20 gallon of gas by then end of the | | | | manager's office? It's drawing a minimum of 500 |
| year, energy costs will skyrocket in 2009. Oil will go | | | | watts every hour, likely more with the printer |
| way up in a recession and not as a result of supply | | | | plugged in and on as well. These parasitic loads can |
| and demand. The bankers who scooped all those | | | | cost hundreds of dollars a year. |
| buckets of money from the American Taxpayer to | | | | At 16 cents a kilowatt hour (This rate will double |
| supposedly reinvest and stimulate the economy had | | | | soon), the desktop computer and its peripherals is |
| done just as I had predicted. | | | | costing you about $2 a day in hydro. That's 16 cents |
| They're NOT creating jobs or lending out much | | | | times (500/1000) times 24 hours in a day. Running a |
| money. They say credit is tight. So where is the $1.4 | | | | computer like that is about $730 a year in hydro. |
| trillion dollars going? Foreign investments, primarily in | | | | 4) Reduce your water heater to 120 to 130 degrees. |
| oil, that will drive the prices up to levels that will | | | | Most stores have a water heater for a washroom |
| boggle the mind in 2009. If you think it can't happen, | | | | for employees and customers. Most water heaters |
| it already has. Earlier this year, when oil hit $140 a | | | | are set to 160 degrees and then forgotten. Unless |
| barrel and more ( and U.S. gas was almost $4 a | | | | you run a restaurant and need that temperature for |
| gallon...), it wasn't driven my supply and demand. | | | | washing dishes, 120 degrees will save you a bundle |
| Speculators artificially drove the price up, and they'll | | | | and is warm enough for washing hands and other |
| do it again with the money they were supposed to | | | | things. While you're at it, put in a low flush toilet. |
| plow back into the U.S. economy. The government is | | | | You're paying a fortune for water and that will be |
| already grumbling about how the banks have not | | | | also going up soon as well. |
| kept their word and have not used the funds to | | | | 5) Replace store lighting with energy efficient |
| benefit the economy, but are making investments | | | | fluorescent tubes. Ask your electrician (while he's |
| out of the USA to their benefit and self interest. | | | | turning down your water heater) about the most |
| Now you know why in simple terms, how oil will go | | | | efficient lighting units for your store signs. Most are |
| back to $140 a barrel and actually much higher in | | | | illuminated with 40 watt tubes, that are largely |
| 2009. | | | | replaced now with more energy efficient 32 watt |
| The smaller retailer needs to take steps now in order | | | | units. That's 20% less in consumption. |
| to reduce energy costs. Here are a number of things | | | | 6) Examine your vehicular patterns. Do you have a |
| you can do, that can cut your energy costs by as | | | | van for stock deliveries to stores or between |
| much as 30 percent. The higher energy costs go, the | | | | stores? Can you consolidate shipments and reduce |
| more you can save. | | | | the frequency of trips? |
| 1) Adjust heating down to 67 or 68 degrees and air | | | | As we enter these challenging times, retailers can |
| conditioning to 78 in the summer. Every degree either | | | | save costs and enhance profits through more |
| in heating or air condtioning can reduce your costs by | | | | efficient and frugal use of energy without |
| as much as 5%, depending on weather conditions. | | | | compromising the customer experience. |
| Employees and customers won't even feel the | | | | TAKE ACTION TODAY |
| difference. Overheating or overcooling costs a | | | | 1) Review this list of tactics with your team and get |
| fortune. | | | | started on reducing one of your major expenses. |
| 2) Replace lighting with Compact Fluorescent | | | | Every bit you reduce as energy costs go up will |
| Lightbulbs (CFL's). These units are far more efficient | | | | enhance your profits during these challenging times. |
| and direct much more of the energy they consume | | | | 2) Ask your team for ideas on how to reduce |
| into actual light instead of heat. In the summer, | | | | energy as well! HANG IN THERE! |
| expensive air conditioning will work less. You'll save | | | | |