State Energy Efficiency Financing Programs: Many states operate low-interest loans and other subsidies to help small businesses become more energy efficient. Nearly all states offer some kind of technical assistance with ENERGY STAR and other energy efficiency programs. You can find a list of state offices at the National Association of State Energy Officials website.

Utility companies: Individual utility companies offer financing options to small businesses. Check with your local utility to see if they have any financing mechanisms applicable to your business.

EPA: The EPA also has detailed financial opportunities listed by state. You can also visit the ENERGY STAR Small Business Network website to learn more.

Myobz LLC financed energy efficiency upgrades in three Shell gasoline stations/convienence stores in Yuma, AZ through a strategically coordinated finance and upgrade package which produced a positive cash flow—the monthly loan payments are less than the amount the facilities are saving on energy.

The most important components of the project included upgrading interior and exterior lighting. This upgrade showed the highest cost/benefit analysis in terms of both energy saved, and contributed as well to increased sales through better visibility and enhanced retail merchandising. Additionally, the stations installed programmable thermostats, new heat pumps, door “misers” in the convenience stores’ refrigerated glass display cases, and new evaporative coolers to reduce energy use of walk-in cooler fans by 40 percent to 50 percent.

Myobz worked closely with both the lender and the installation company to ensure the best return on investment.  The $120,000 upgrade is producing annual savings of $24,000 by saving 180,000 kWh of electricity, while preventing 288,000 pounds of C02 emissions from being released into the environment each year.

To learn more about becoming an environmentally friendly business owner, see the following Small Business Review articles:

Eco-Friendly Measures are Good for the Environment and Business
Protect the Environment and Cut Costs With Simple Energy Upgrades