RACINE, Wis. — If the credit union is going green, how quickly will it see payback on its energy-efficient investments? Industry experts provide their advice.
Gregg Thompson, CEO
BCI Group, Racine, Wis.
"Avoid solar panels or wind machines if you're looking for quick ROI. Wind machines are expensive and solar panels are still relatively costly."
Payback: eight to 10 years.
"Install T5 or T8 high-efficiency fluorescent lighting systems with occupancy sensors."
Payback: one to three years.
"Waterless or two-stage flushing urinals can save 40,000 gallons of water per fixture a year."
Payback: four to five years.
"Consider a green roof system, not the type that uses plants, but instead employs a white membrane that reflects sunlight to keep the building cooler in the summer. But make sure the roof uses a double layer of insulation and that joints overlap."
Payback: three to five years.
"Select the team — the contractor and designer — very early in the process and have them work together with you. The biggest mistake you can make is to hire a designer, have the individual design something, and then send it out for bid. You may find that what's designed does not fit into your budget or may be hard to execute from a green perspective. You want the designer preparing concepts and your contractor evaluating designs and running costs at the same time so you know early on what works and fits into your budget."
Robert Mannion, EVP new construction
NewGround, St. Louis
"Energy-efficient heating and cooling systems provide some of the fastest returns."
Payback: two to three years.
"Window glazing systems reduce glare and limit heat entry and loss."
Payback: two to five years
"Building insulation costs have gone up with the rise in oil prices, but are still a good choice."
Payback: three to five years.
John Drago, VP of information technology
California CU League, Rancho Cucamonga
"We have virtualized almost all of our servers, which will reduce electronic waste, and we plan to do the same with our desktop PCs. In total we will save at least $50,000 a year. Cost to make the move, which includes a new, smaller data center that uses less energy, was $100,000. We typically upgrade our servers every three to five years, and we have 20."
Payback: two years
