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ESCANABA -- It can be hard to keep a small business going nowadays, especially if utility costs keep rising.  But one local non-profit organization is working to help businesses become more energy efficient...which in turn can help save you some money.

After seeing a rise in utility costs, Tracy Thompson, owner of Hiawatha Chef Supply in Escanaba, knew it was time for some energy upgrades.

"Boilers, in particular, and I knew every time they fired up, it was 630,000 BTUs going up the chimney," explained Thompson.

Earlier this fall, Michigan Green, a non-profit company which helps area businesses become more energy efficient, performed a free energy audit, evaluating the business's costs and usage.

Since August, Michigan Green has completed energy audits for 15 different small Delta County businesses, including Hiawatha Chef Supply.  Officials say they have 10 more businesses who have signed up for an audit.  With the help of his audit, Thompson has seen significant savings.

"I've replaced my boiler," Thompson said.  "That boiler I replaced was from 1962.  The gas companies are sort of surprised because it showed about a 40 percent savings off my gas bill."

At Thursday's Energy Seminar, hosted by the Delta County Builders Exchange, officials from Michigan Green told nearly 40 U.P. businesses how they, too, can see some savings.

"We look at different energy systems, whether it's lighting, heating, even the water systems, ways to conserve," explained Michigan Green Executive Director Douglas Russell.  "I mean, there are many technologies that have been created, and we still need to help people understand they're available and affordable.  They'll pay for themselves."

In addition to the energy audits, Michigan Green has something else for businesses.  They can help provide funding to the businesses that want to make their energy upgrades.