Rejuvenation is preserving energy by pledging to convert the display fixtures in its showroom to energy-efficient, GU24-base fixtures. The Portland lighting manufacturer and retailer company expects this measure to cut its lighting-related electricity use by about one-third. Rejuvenation already updated the lighting in its manufacturing facility, which slashed electricity use and paid for itself in less than two years.

“It’s a no-brainer. The savings goes right to our bottom line,” says the firm’s president, Alysa Rose. “I don’t know why businesses wouldn’t want to save energy, if only to save money.”

Rejuvenation made a commitment two years ago to benchmark — and then reduce and offset — its carbon footprint. Because of that, energy efficiency pays for itself twice: in reduced energy costs and in reduced carbon-offset costs when it shrinks its carbon footprint.

“We’re committed to doing our best towards sustainability and this is one aspect of it,” Rose explains. “Electricity use is particularly relevant because we’re well aware the majority of the impact we have on the environment is from our customers using our lighting.”

Rejuvenation is also encouraging customers to save energy, in part by introduced GU24 as an option in many of their lights for the same price as a standard fixture. “Of course, you can put a compact fluorescent bulb in any fixture,” Rose says. “But when you convert your fixtures to GU24, you’re committing that fixture to energy-efficiency forever.”

Energy efficiency supports Rejuvenation’s overall commitment to sustainability, including influencing the behavior of its customers, vendors and employees. And thats what gets Rose really enthusiastic.

“Businesses have a responsibility to lead the way, because we have the forum,” Rose says. “We interact with a lot of people, and at the end of the day, individuals take the actions that matter.”