Join a network of hundreds of businesses, organizations and Individuals committed to reducing their environmental impact and energy and resources used.
The DRG Green Business Certification program was initially launched in 2012 by Montgomery County, OH and reimagined in 2019 as the Bring Your Green Challenge. This online platform is open to all (not limited to Montgomery County) and allows participation for organizations and individuals.
Organizations can gain their green business certification through simple checklist items. Once the online green business certification application is approved, they can join Bring Your Green Challenges to engage their employees and further their green efforts. They will also gain free access to online web-based reporting tools to track energy, waste, and water usage and calculate the environmental impact of their sustainability efforts.
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The program allows participation of Individuals as well. Participants can join teams as they take the Individuals/ Enthusiasts Challenges. These challenges encourage sustainable lifestyle choices through education, gamification, and engagement.
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How do we get started?
We suggest you view the
green certification checklist
to know what's involved before you start to get a feel for the level of effort required to
become a certified Green Business. The application is designed to provide each business with the flexibility to pursue a wide variety of measures. The checklist can be saved, so you don't have to complete it all at once, and it can be shared with others in your organization to assist you as you add them as users.
What is an Energy Audit?
An energy audit is a comprehensive assessment of a building's energy use throughout its operations. The purpose of the audit is identifying the most cost-effective opportunities to reduce energy usage through equipment upgrades, equipment repairs, and/or occupant behavioral implementations. Energy audits are the best way to receive information regarding how fast, easy, cost-effective upgrades can reduce your overall energy costs.
Who can I contact to receive an Energy Audit?
Energy audits are performed by engineers, engineering firms, and energy service providers. Information about our Green Certified Energy Service Providers can be found in our
Green Certified Businesses Directory.
You're always welcome to
contact us as well for recommendations!
What is the Energy Auditing Process? Step 1: Submit all utility bills for the past one to two years to the energy auditor:
The process includes an evaluation of the buildings electrical, natural gas, and water consumption based on utility bills for the past
one to two years.
Step 2: The facility walk-through: A trained auditor will conduct a walk-through of the facility, noting both easy
implementations that will result in a quick investment payback and implementations maybe require a longer payback period
(for example, replacing older, low efficiency furnaces with a new high efficiency furnace). During the course of the walk-through the
facility's lighting levels and lighting equipment will be inspected, along with the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning
system(s), windows, and infrastructure composition.
Step 3: Recommendations for improving energy efficiency: After proper analysis, a written report will be generated
detailing the current conditions of all energy systems, the current total energy usage for electricity, natural gas, and water,
and the auditor's recommendations on what improvements to make, their initial costs, and their potential payback periods. What are the advantages of having an Energy Audit?
Provide realization of the building's utility costs and structural condition
Identify and priorize potential capital improvement projects
Provide a financial analysis for each potential capital investment project
What is the cost of certification and how long is it valid?
The first time application, which is valid for two years, is FREE. After which there is a $50 fee for recertification every two years.
Do we get credit for environmental actions in place?
Yes! You can take credit for existing practices as well as practices you commit to implementing.
What types of businesses are eligible for certification?
Office/retail/government businesses/manufacturing, many others are eligible for certification. Places such as non-profit organizations, houses of worship, schools, hospitals, and even home offices can become certified. Basically anything that operates as a business is eligible for certification!
Can a business submit an application for multiple locations?
Certification is by individual building. Entities with more than one location (e.g. different branches of a bank or buildings within a campus) need to pursue certification for each location. However; the system enables you to copy and edit your first application for convenience.
Who is eligible to participate in the Bring Your Green Challenge?
Only green certified businesses with valid certification (paid the $50 renewal fee after the 1st complementary couple of years) can take advantage of the reporting tools and the many other benefits of BYG challenge platform.
Do I have to report on all primary areas (Energy, Waster, Water,and Employee Engagement?
Awards are based on points achieved at the end of the one year challenge. You choose how far you want to go!
Not seeing the answer to your question? Contact us below!
