[August 09, 2011] Small businesses can benefit from getting an energy audit Tweet Aug 07, 2011 (La Crosse Tribune - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Kroner Hardware general manger Bill Kroner is looking for ways to save money. And just like several other small business owners, he's trying the green routine. Kroner is starting with his fluorescent lighting, looking at ways to put in more energy-efficient bulbs. Next, he'll probably move to better heating and air conditioning for the 143-year-old La Crosse business. The exact savings for small businesses in switching to energy efficient utilities is hard to chart, said Xcel Energy spokeswoman Liz Wolf Green. Because there are so many factors, such as the hours of operation and insulation of the building, it's best to get an audit done. Nearly 200 small businesses in the La Crosse area have done that this year. Xcel is expecting that to double by December. Kroner Hardware was audited in mid-July. Focus on Energy adviser Patrick Batz walked through the old building, checking out each floor and suggesting upgrades. And as Kroner suspected, the lights should be the first thing to upgrade. "These are the biggest energy hogs," he said, running his fingers along the dusty incandescent bulbs. Luckily, lighting is one of the most common and easy-to-fix problems. Batz said a lot of businesses are using incandescent bulbs, which are slowly being phased out of manufacturing. Instead, owners should use compact fluorescent light bulbs. The energy-efficient bulbs can save as much as 75 percent on the electric bill, he said. In some cases, the same bases can be used when switching the bulbs, which will save a few dollars. For Kroner, having other businesses on each side of his helps with the heat bill. His furnace could use an update, but he'll put that off as long as the old one keeps running. "There's probably more efficient things out there, but buying new adds up," he said. Kroner is going to do a little more investigating before investing in Batz's suggestions. He wants to get more of an estimate for the cost. Switching to energy-efficient utilities is a choice that business owners must consider carefully, Batz said. "It's hard," he said. "There's some expense to replace, so you have to weigh out how much you'll save." To see more of the La Crosse Tribune or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.lacrossetribune.com/. Copyright (c) 2011, La Crosse Tribune, Wis. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For more information about the content services offered by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services (MCT), visit www.mctinfoservices.com. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]