The Truth About Eco-Friendly Facility Upgrades

Many government agencies are pushing for eco-friendly and sustainable business practices in a collective effort to reduce pollution and improve our planet. This can feel overwhelming, especially if you oversee multiple facilities, and it’s easy to imagine costs quickly escalating.

Are eco-friendly upgrades worth it? At The Firm Facility Services, we examined common eco-friendly upgrades to determine whether they are worth the investment. We’ve compiled a list of some eco-friendly upgrades and how they can benefit your company or business.

Types of Multi-Facility Eco-Friendly Upgrades

In short, it is very beneficial to invest money in your multi-site facilities with eco-friendly upgrades. However, changing out your lightbulbs isn’t the only upgrade worth the money. There are several eco-friendly upgrades that multi-facility businesses can utilize for energy savings, which can include: 

• Solar panels: Capture sunlight and turn it into energy, lowering energy bills and reducing dependency on other forms of non-renewable energy. 

• Energy-efficient HVAC systems: Upgrade HVAC systems to the latest, energy-efficient models to reduce costs and improve comfort inside buildings. 

• Proper insulation: Using the proper insulation for your facility's type and size can lower energy costs and improve comfort. 

• Energy-efficient lighting: LED light bulbs and other energy-efficient lighting controls can help reduce costs and dependency on energy sources. 

• Smart building sensors: These devices can tell when someone is in a room and adjust lighting, HVAC, and other building management aspects, thus reducing energy by limiting operating time. 

• Energy-efficient windows: Upgrading your facilities to energy-efficient windows can reduce cool or hot zones and improve comfort without your HVAC system working harder. 

• Sustainable building materials: Using sustainable, recycled, or renewable building materials can reduce one's carbon footprint and dependence on fossil fuels. 

Benefits of Eco-Friendly Multi-Facility Upgrades

As one might expect, performing eco-friendly upgrades in your facilities can offer many benefits. We’ve mentioned a few, such as cost savings and reduced dependence on fossil fuels, but what other benefits are there? Let’s take a look. 

Cost Savings

By adopting eco-friendly upgrades, your business can enjoy cost savings across various areas, including lower energy bills, water conservation, and eligibility for tax incentives and rebates. Improvements like low-flow fixtures, water-efficient appliances, and energy-saving electronics and lighting can significantly reduce operating expenses.

Improved Environmental Impact

Eco-friendly upgrades can help improve and reduce your environmental impact, which includes reduced carbon footprint and waste reduction. Your facilities can adopt a zero-waste approach and limit your contribution to landfills. Many eco-friendly upgrades use sustainable materials in their building and operation, which helps lower your carbon footprint. This reduces the demand for non-renewable resources and promotes environmentally responsible construction and operation practices. 

Enhanced Property Values

With eco-friendly upgrades and materials, your facilities will see a rise in their property values. If you need to sell, your facility will benefit from your eco-friendly upgrades, making it more attractive to prospective buyers. The same applies if you rent commercial properties, making your facility a better place for other businesses. 

Increased Occupant Satisfaction

Many eco-friendly upgrades are also better for building occupants, including employees and customers. Better indoor environments that use improved lighting, temperature, and air quality create a more comfortable and visually appealing space, leading to increased satisfaction and well-being. In addition, research shows that green buildings can lead to improved cognitive function and productivity, which benefits your business. 

Regulatory Compliance and Risk Management

By upgrading your facilities, you can maintain compliance with regulations. As many government agencies move toward requiring green and eco-friendly practices, you will need to follow suit. This prevents fines and penalties, which can cost you more money in the long run. Your eco-friendly upgrades can also help reduce the risk of future costs. Retrofitting old appliances and buildings can be more costly than making the upgrades outright, particularly when you can do it on your own time instead of on a regulation timeline. 

Remodel Your Multi-Facility Business with Eco-Friendly Upgrades 

At The Firm, we specialize in helping multi-facility businesses remodel and refresh their buildings and spaces to improve their energy efficiency and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. With exceptional multi-facility project management and multi-facility rollouts, we can help your businesses stay on top of current and future energy-efficient trends. The Firm prides itself on being your single source for nationwide commercial construction management, providing solutions to your multi-facility challenges. 

Give us a call today at 1-833-FIRM-411 or contact us online.