Access to capital for an energy-efficiency upgrade need not be an issue. Some upgrades require little funding. For those that do require investment, don't worry; there are many traditional and non-traditional financial resources available. A well-designed upgrade can provide your business a positive cash flow from energy savings while paying off the capital investment for new equipment.
For small, inexpensive projects, you may want to use your own internal funds to pay for the upgrade in order to keep your payback period low and return on investment high.
For larger jobs, financing might be the only way to pay for the upgrade. Fortunately, a variety of sources and mechanisms exist for small businesses to finance energy-efficiency improvement projects.
It's your business decision to weigh your competing needs for capital versus continuing increases in operating costs for energy. Remember, even a longer return-on-investment on energy efficiency results in affordable comfort, and new, more reliable equipment that will pay for itself with energy savings. Strategic energy efficiency investments are your hedge against the certainty of higher utility bills that you cannot control.
The following resources can help you find funding information and opportunities for your upgrade:
Grants, Loans and Financing Opportunities
For Energy Saving Projects
Find lenders in your state that provide loans to small businesses interested in making energy efficient upgrades.
Learn about the wide-range financing options available to businesses. Financing is available from small improvements to complete system upgrades.
Use this online tool to find special offers and rebates on office equipment, electronics, appliances, and lighting products in your local area.
Browse a database of over 60 energy efficiency funds and programs operating throughout the world.
Learn about federal, state and local financing and project assistance programs for improving the energy efficiency of buildings.
For Development Energy Efficient Technologies
Grant opportunities for businesses developing energy efficient technologies.
The Industrial Technologies Program (ITP) is the lead government program working to increase the energy efficiency of U.S. industry. Along with their partners, ITP helps research, develop, and deploy innovative technologies that companies can use to improve their energy productivity, reduce carbon emissions, and gain a competitive edge.
For Small Business (General)
Find information about getting financial assistance for a new or expanding business, including SBA and other government-backed loans, grants, and venture capital.
Offices in all states offering free services to help small firms develop conventional loan applications for loans backed by the SBA.
Small Business Assistance Programs
Another aspect of funding energy-efficiency is group purchasing with business association members, other franchisees, etc. to achieve lower unit prices on efficient equipment with volume purchases. Read more about this strategy in ENERGY STAR Small Business's Group Purchasing Fact Sheet
The Small Business Association of Michigan operates a group purchasing Web site at http://www.sbam.org/ that is open to all small businesses throughout the United States.
Produced in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration, Business Gateway and ENERGY STAR®