A classic challenge for building owners is whether and how much capital to invest in energy-saving equipment or systems in order to reap long-term savings.

Business and institutions in the U.S. can save $130 billion by 2010 if they take advantage of currently available, low-cost, energy-efficiency opportunities. Most businesses use energy inefficiently, which results in higher energy bills than necessary. By becoming more energy efficient, these organizations can save energy and thus reduce their energy costs while preventing pollution.

Building energy efficiency and sustainability into one building at a time is a great idea, but cities across the country are recognizing the collective benefits of populating their communities with sustainable buildings. Cities such as Austin, Denver, Tucson, Seattle, and New York City have raised the bar, community-wide, above basic minimums on sustainability issues.

Architects and building designers can now stamp their projects with a green building "seal of approval" available through the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design building rating system (known as LEEDTM). This voluntary, consensus-based rating system for commercial buildings was developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).