As salons approach year-end and take stock of what’s worked, don’t forget to evaluate your green potential and areas for improvement. Here are some ideas from Green Circle Salons for making your business friendlier to the environment and your bottom line.

1. Keep an Up-to-date Thermostat

Thermostats come in all different makes and models, from the most basic manual version to the WiFi-enabled version. Whichever model you use in the salon, the thermostat is the link between you and the equipment that keeps your salon warm or cool. 

Good thermostats actually allow you to program slight temperature changes while you’re out of the salon, which can save hundreds of dollars annually. Faulty thermostats can cause major discomfort, high energy costs, and a lot of wasted time spent fiddling in search of the right temperature.

Something as simple as a dust buildup or corroded wire can make a huge difference in temperature and cost. To ensure that the pieces are all in good working order, it’s helpful to remove the thermostat’s faceplate and inspect it seasonally. If you think it’s time to replace your thermostat, consider the kinds of features you want, and whether it may be worth investing in something that can make your life easy while also saving you money down the road. 

2. Weatherproof Before Winter

Fall is the best time of year to get out and make sure that the salon is ready for winter—it’s not unbearably hot and the cold hasn’t started to creep in yet. Take the time to ensure that windows and doors are well-sealed. This means looking for tears in the seal, exposed holes and cracks, all of which let the warm air out and the cool winter air in!

Weatherstripping and caulking are extremely inexpensive, but can save up to 30% of your heating and cooling bills, while reducing discomfort and conserving energy.

3. Outlaw Bottled Water

Did you know that it takes 1.85 gallons of water just to make the plastic for a standard water bottle? Using your own source for drinking water, such as investing in a high quality water purifier in the salon, will save carbon emissions created by trucking water along long distances, and reduce the amount of petroleum, water and energy resources consumed to create this single-use bottle water.

A good quality water purifier will balance the pH level of the water, removing acidity and increasing alkalinity, which is good for the body, improving the skin, nails and hair. Also, the salon will save costs from having to purchase bottles of water for each client.

Hair: Angelo Seminara, Makeup: Laura Dominique, Styling: Georgie Macintyre, Photos: Andrew O’Toole