The Tribune

SuperGreen Solutions

By Joshua Key

I want to challenge my readers – both companies and individuals - to make this resolution: Add more green to your 2016.

There is talk everywhere about ‘going green’ these days. Environmentally-friendly and energy-efficient lighting; smart air conditioning; solar power; wind power and more are all making headlines, as companies continue to develop new technology and scientists deepen their understanding of how our human habits impact the overall environment. But more than just talk is required.

According to SC Johnson, roughly 70 per cent of Americans say they know at least a fair amount about environmental issues, and that they are attempting to make green choices. More and more, it seems Bahamians are getting on board, too. This new awareness has resulted in customers preferring to spend their money with greener companies. It has created a whole industry of green technology and energy sources, which are not merely giving peace of mind to the environmentally-conscious, but also saving families and businesses money. Alternative energy and energy-efficient products reduce a variety of costs, a crucial benefit for companies in these tough economic times.

Since our franchise’s founders began work with green energy more than 19 years ago, the industry has exploded. This marked uptick in demand has taken on several forms, depending on the kind of person seeking to move towards a green lifestyle.

First, we see businesses concerned about the rising cost of their power bills and their ability to absorb these costs long-term. They are looking for ways to reduce their overheads. Then, we see business owners with what we call ‘green aspirations’. These are people who are concerned about climate change, and want to structure their businesses and lives to have a positive impact on the environment. Likewise, we see homeowners and renters eager to make their communities greener, while filling their wallets with more ‘green’ notes.

For these reasons, the greatest demand from businesses has been for LED lighting, solar power, smarter air conditioning, and new, efficient water heating systems (including solar, tankless gas and hybrid heat pumps).

Changes that seem small, such as retrofitting your office with LED lighting instead of traditional incandescent bulbs, actually create huge and immediate savings. Replacing an incandescent 100 watt light bulb with a nine watt LED bulb saves over 90 per cent on power costs. LED bulbs also last for an average of 50,000 hours, or 17 years of normal use, creating additional savings on replacement and repair costs.

Likewise, solar power panels last between 25 and 30 years, and begin to pay for themselves after about five to eight years with savings alone. That essentially creates 17-20 subsequent years of free power - huge savings when you consider that the price of power in two decades could easily be four to five times more expensive than it is now. Savings earned by switching to green energy sources compound rapidly.

So, does it make sense for businesses to be more efficient? ‘Going green’ is no longer just a way to sound trendy, but a very real and highly accessible route for Bahamian businesses to save money and better the environment at the same time. From small steps, such as changing light bulbs, to big initiatives such as installing solar panels to power your office, there are a range of options to help every kind of business – from the smallest operation to the largest corporation – create a brighter, greener future while putting some ‘green’ back into their own pockets. Let us stick to our green resolution in 2016. The time for talk has long passed. Now is the time for Bahamians to take action.

• NB: Joshua Key is general manager for SuperGreen Solutions Bahamas, located on Wulff Road next to FYP. SuperGreen Solutions is one of the premier advisors, suppliers and installers of domestic and commercial energy efficient solutions.