The concept of going green has evolved to include more than just saving paper and recycling, and businesses today have many more options that save resources yet are environmentally friendly. Here are four green-friendly business practices that will help your HVACR business save time and money so you can focus more on the customer experience and quality of service.

1. Make Use of Your Website

As an HVACR professional, your business website can reach a much wider audience than most traditional marketing efforts. Use this outlet in place of printed flyers and other paperwork to attract current and potential customers online for new services or promotions.  Additionally, questions about location, contracts and general terms and conditions are all likely to flood your phone lines. In order to limit the time on the phone, be proactive online.

A professional website is the perfect outlet to display sample contracts for those interested in your business. Provide full business contact information and the option to pay for services online, answering the convenience requirement for many consumers. Making the most of your website will allow you to reduce stress and save money by answering questions before they are asked.

More often than not, consumers disregard flyers and throw them out. By driving people to your website, you can offer more information while keeping unnecessary paper from occupying landfills.

2. Choose a Green-Powered Web Host

While placing a strong emphasis on your website, be sure to choose a Web host that has the same ideals as your company. Because they operate 24 hours per day, 7 days per week and house millions of websites across thousands of servers, data centers consume an exorbitant amount of energy every year. Be sure to choose a host that is doing what they can to go green through alterative cooling, highly efficient equipment and energy programs.

One element to look for is the use of renewable energy certificates (RECs), which offset a certain amount of energy used through sources such as hydroelectricity. If green actions are taken correctly, a host is often recognized by the Environmental Protection Agency as a “Green Power Partner.” Such providers will display their commitment, as well as offer you the chance to illustrate your dedication to reducing your carbon footprint. For example, some offer a badge or certificate for you to incorporate on your website that proves to your visitors that your site is powered by green energy.

3. Go Paperless for Billing

The paperless billing movement has reached new heights within the last decade. More and more businesses are switching their billing cycles to an electronic option, both internally and externally, reducing their paper usage. This is good for both the environment and for a company’s reputation. Customers will appreciate you for eliminating the need to keep track of physical files, paper work, reminders and countless other mailings that accumulate throughout the year.

Sending seasonal reminders for maintenance, contracts and other HVACR notifications electronically will help improve the standard for customer service and overall appreciation. The less hassle your customers experience in the off-season, the more business you can count on during the hot and cold months.

4. Move Toward the Cloud

Developments in cloud computing have opened up possibilities for businesses across all industries to take advantage of more flexible and efficient technology options. HVACR businesses experience surges in traffic in the winter and summer months, and adopting cloud computing into your business strategy allows you to only pay for what you use. Therefore, you can meet high traffic and storage needs by scaling up your server demands in the summer and winter months, then scale down in the off-season to save money. This will also lower the overall amount of energy used to power your online needs in the less demanding seasons, conserving your energy use. 

Taking advantage of the cloud will ensure that your needs are met without breaking the bank. Cloud computing gives you the freedom and the piece of mind that you are going about your hosting strategy in the most efficient way possible.

As a manager for 1&1 Internet, Inc., Kelly Meeneghan is an industry specialist providing expert advice on how SMBs can grow their business online through websites and online marketing methods. 1&1, a global leader among Web hosts, provides companies with the tools necessary to get online and be successful. To reach Kelly, email press@1and1.com. For more information visit www.1and1.com.