New survey results suggest businesses are quickly coming around to energy efficiency. The main reason: Many expect energy prices are going to rise substantially in coming years.
The survey was conducted of 2,882 firms worldwide by Johnson Controls, a supplier of energy efficient building systems.
According to the survey, 56% have made some sort of energy upgrade in the past 12 months. The most common upgrades were “low-hanging fruit,” according to an article by Reuters: 73% surveyed had switched to more-efficient lighting, while one-third had made larger investments such as installing efficient heating and cooling systems or replacing windows in their buildings. About 20% of respondents said they had installed renewable-energy systems.
The survey asked respondents why they were making energy improvements. Sixty-nine percent of respondents said they anticipated double-digit increases in energy prices, the key driver of their energy efficiency investments. But other reasons included lowering greenhouse gas emissions, improving public image of the company and getting incentives from utilities and government.
“People consistently are expecting double-digit increases in energy prices and of course that is the key driver for energy improvements,” said Clay Nesler of Johnson Controls, according to the Reuters article.
