The US EPA and the US Department of Energy operate the Energy Star Program. The program gives an Energy Star to energy efficient products and helps the public determine how much they will save in utility costs by using that product. This program has resulted in a savings of $14 billion in utility bills and avoiding greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to 25 million cars.

The Energy Star Challenge is to improve energy efficiency in industrial and commercial buildings by 10%. Here's how you can do it:

Click here to find commercial products (commercial appliances, food service, heating & cooling, lighting, construction and office products) that have earned an Energy Star.

You can join Energy Star for free and use their symbol with your business if you make a commitment to reduce energy usage. There are three types of membership: Buildings and Plants; Service and Product Providers; and Small Businesses. Click here to apply.

• Lean, Energy and Climate Toolkit from the EPA

• Find Policies & Incentives by State

• Agriculture

Cooking

• Keep the turn-on times for equipment staggersed.
• Clean and polish heat reflectors
• Cooling fans should be directed towards your workers, not the cooking equipment
• Whenever possible, cook during off-peak periods.
• Operate food warmers and cooking equipment only when needed
• Preheat ovens, grills and broilers only when necessary
• Reduce the temperature on fryers and grills during standby times
• Minimize the use of range tops, griddles and broilers. Use ovens, steamers and flyers whenever possible.
• Load and unload ovens quickly to avoid heat loss
• Use appropriate sized pots with flat bottoms and tight fitting lids.
• Install energy-efficient equipment where appropriate

Refrigeration

• Shelve products properly to avoid airflow blockage or voids.
• Install strip curtains or swing doors in doorsways of cooling areas
• Install night covers on open display cases..
• Maintain room temperature at 75 degrees dry-bulb and 55% relative humidity.
• Install auto door closers on walk-in doors.
• Clean cooling and condenser coils regularly.
• Install automatic anti-condensation system controls on glass door reach-in displays to prevent continuous operation.

• Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent lamps (CFL's).
• Replace fluorescent tubes and magnetic ballasts with T8 or T5 tubes and electronic ballasts.
• Replace warehouse and other high-bay lighting with HID lamps or high-bay fluorescent fixtures.
• Install occupancy sensors in general usage areas so that lights turn on if an area is occupied and turn off automatically when the area is not.
• Clean bulbs, fixtures and diffusers regularly to maintain maximum illumination levels.
• Install photocells or timers on outdoor lighting systems so they only operate from dusk to dawn.
• Replace your incandescent exit signs with LED exit signs.
• Install motion detector lights.

The US Department of Energy conducts Best Practices Seminars. Click here for more information.