Driving Energy Efficiency at Self-Help Credit Union's Retail Banks

Abstract

Self Help Credit Union, a leading provider of loans to small businesses and disadvantaged persons across the country, is seeking to improve the energy efficiency of its North Carolina retail bank buildings in accordance with its company-wide sustainability objectives. Improving energy efficiency may be achieved through a balance of investing in energy efficient technologies and reducing energy consumption through behavioral change. This masters project’s objectives included conducting an energy audit of a retail bank branch to identify energy-related savings opportunities and creating a retail bank branch competition framework to heighten employee awareness of energy efficiency and instigate behavioral change. Our recommendations include implementing this competition and investing in a variety of energy efficient devices and technologies.