Severe winter weather this year has hit credit unions hard withhigher energy costs.

However, the cooperatives can save significantly on energy costsby making wise investments in efficiency, said MelissaMalkin-Weber, sustainability director for the $646 millionSelf-Help Credit Union & Ventures Fund, both based in Durham,N.C.

“With rising energy prices and the environmental impact of usingnatural resources, we've been taking a broader, more systemicapproach and looking for the best opportunities to conserve,”Malkin-Weber said.

In 2012, Self-Help implemented green facility initiatives thatit predicts will save approximately $92,000 each year, shesaid.

One key to getting the most bang for the buck with energyefficiency initiatives is to work closely with contractors topinpoint upgrades that benefit the long-term bottom line,Malkin-Weber said.

For instance, when Self-Help needed to replace the chiller uniton the roof of its headquarters, the credit union requested threeprice quotes from the contractor.

“Instead of just going with the least expensive replacement, wetold the contractor to provide quotes for the good, better and bestoptions, along with finding out what types of rebates we wouldqualify for from Duke Energy,” Malkin-Weber said. “As a result, wenow have a more efficient unit with about a three-yearpayback.”

Self-Help also requested three price quotes to replace 46 lightsin the headquarters' training room. The credit union selected LEDlights because they kept the room cooler on warm days, conservedadditional energy and resulted again in a three-year payback.

“We do a lot of analysis about the cost benefit before decidingon any energy efficiency projects,” Malkin-Weber said. “Thatstrategic approach is paying off with lower energy costs and lessenvironmental impact.”

One of the industry's latest green buildings comes from the $619million Vermont State Employees Credit Union, which opened the newbranch in February. By incorporating green features such as anenergy efficient roof system, the Montpelier, Vt.-based VSECUestimated energy consumption for the new branch will be 39% lessthan a similar-sized building, said Laurie Fielder, programdirector for the credit union's VGreen program, which providesenergy efficient financing for members.

“With the long, brutal winter that has hit Vermont, along withmany other areas of the U.S., we're fortunate to have the supportof the VSECU board and management to implement efficiencyinvestments and initiatives for the benefit of the credit union andour members,” Fielder said.

Plans are in place for VSECU to seek Energy STAR certificationfor its new St. Johnsbury, Vt.-based branch and for another branchin Waterbury that was renovated to be more efficient aftersustaining damage from Hurricane Irene in 2011.

“While we are a growing organization, we recognize that buildingmore branches uses more resources; so we build all new branches tomeet high efficiency standards,” Fielder added.

One of the easiest methods for credit unions to track and assessenergy use is with the Energy Star Portfolio Manager, according toa new Filene Report, “Improving Social and EnvironmentalSustainability: A Credit Union Assessment and Comparison.”

By using the free Energy Star tool, credit unions can monitor anentire portfolio of buildings, identify underperforming buildings,verify efficiency improvements and receive recognition from theEnvironmental Protection Agency for superior energyperformance.

The Filene report also recommended that credit unions considerthe benefits of installing Energy Star appliances, automatic sleepmodes, after-hour timers, LED bulbs, occupancy sensors, daylightdimmers, task lighting, programmable thermostats, timers, occupancysensors and double-paned windows.