You know that efficiency upgrades can reduce your energy costs, but the benefits for your business don't stop there. Here are five ways that investing in energy efficiency can really pay off.

1. Better customer experience

Lighting and HVAC upgrades can enhance the appearance of a facility and create a more comfortable, inviting atmosphere. This is especially important for customer service facilities such as stores and restaurants. Customers stay longer, spend more money and come back more often.

2. Higher productivity

Research has demonstrated that energy-efficiency upgrades can improve your bottom line through increased productivity. A Carnegie Mellon University study identified numerous cases in which energy-saving measures resulted in individual productivity improvements of 10 to 15 percent.

3. Improved product quality

High efficiency lights typically increase light output and enhance color quality. This improves the visibility of a workplace, which can reduce error rates and increase overall product quality. Benefits will include less waste and lower rework costs, as well as higher customer satisfaction.

4. Healthier indoor environment

Energy-saving improvements, such as natural ventilation and daylighting, can improve indoor air quality and enhance the overall work environment. Happier, healthier workers are more productive and call in sick less frequently.

5. Safer workplace

Brighter lighting and more uniform light distribution can reduce the chance of a worker falling or being struck by an object. The average cost of a serious workplace injury is more than $36,000 per claim, according to the National Safety Council. If a lighting upgrade can prevent just one accident, it can pay for itself very quickly.