Submitted by Energy Efficiency First
At Energy Efficiency First LLC, we are green, pretty much to our core. From the 100% green power we purchase, to our reduce-reuse-recycle philosophy, to the fact that our services are eco-friendly, we definitely try to do our part. Last week the Thurston Chamber named us as Small Green Business of the Year!
The criteria for being a green business include:
- Buying & Selling Green
- Energy Efficiency
- Transportation & Commute Trip Reduction
- Waste Reduction & Recycling
- Water Conservation
The things we do to meet the green criteria:
Buying & Selling Green. Our business helps people make their building structures more energy efficient, durable, and healthy. Energy Efficiency First grew out of another business called Quality Renovation and Carpentry LLC. Both are owned and operated by Bernie Miller and work in partnership with one another. Energy Efficiency First specializes in identifying how homes and small businesses can be made more energy efficient, healthy, and durable. Quality Renovation and Carpentry makes these recommendations a reality, as a skilled energy performance and green remodeling contractor. Quality Renovation and Carpentry also undertakes remodeling and building repair projects with sustainable and energy efficient building practices and outcomes. Together, we deliver comfort, efficiency, better air quality, and savings. Our mantra is to make you and the planet happy.
Energy Efficiency. One hundred percent of the power we purchase to operate our business is green power from Puget Sound Energy. This means our power comes from clean windmills and solar sources, rather than from harmful hydropower and fossil fuels. Our office was constructed using green building practices and is super insulated. It’s lighted with LEDs and heated with efficient radiant heat panels.
Transportation & Commute Trip Reduction. To reduce fuel consumption, our salesman drives a Toyota Prius with great fuel economy. It has also helped that our commute is a short walk from our back door to our back yard where we constructed our office.
Waste Reduction & Recycling. Our philosophy is to reduce first, then re-use, then recycle. We do things like refill our ink cartridges, use biodegradable trash bags, and recycle paper only after we’ve printed on both sides. We store and use re-claimed construction material for remodeling projects. The trim package in our backyard office, for example, is milled from vertical grain fir that we salvaged from a local business we remodeled years ago. We recycle just about everything, including the aluminum from windows removed from customer homes when we install replacement windows.
We plan to keep walking this walk. Our business is expanding and we’re moving to a larger space. We just air sealed the building envelope and insulated the attic, floor, and walls of the new office. We installed CFL and LED lighting. Our goal is to install a ductless heat pump and install power strips that cut power to lights and electronic equipment that is not in use.
Even better than receiving a Green Business award is being blessed to operate our business in a community committed to fostering an eco-friendly economy –- a community that recognizes the health and well-being of people, the planet, and the economy are inextricably linked and share the same destiny. For their commitment to the Thurston Green Business Program, we extend a big thanks to the Thurston Chamber, Puget Sound Energy, Thurston Energy, LOTT Clean Water Alliance, LeMay Inc., Intercity Transit, and Olympia Federal Savings.
These Thurston Green Business Program sponsors actively consult with local businesses about their energy use, waste practices, water usage, and commuting habits. We encourage other businesses to seek assistance from these organizations -– ask for a site visit and business-practices evaluation. It’s free and you have everything to gain. Not only is green the right thing to do, when you use fewer resources, you will save money. You’ll have more money in your pocket from operating your business that you can use to support your family or share with your employees. Get help from the Thurston Green Business Program here.
It felt good at the chamber event to be among the 40 plus other Thurston County businesses that received the 2012 Thurston Green Business designation. Congrats to you all. You’re awesome! We’ll look for the Thurston Green Business sticker that you will all, we hope, display on your door or on your vehicles.
Contact us for our home performance contracting services.
Thurston Green Business Program
Olympian article about the companies honored by the Thurston Chamber
