Is Your Contracting Business Too Reliant on Oil?

Two contractors standing in front of an oil refinery.

If you read the news at all, you probably have heard some discussion about American dependence on the oil industry. And whichever side you fall on that topic, you can probably agree that oil can be an unpredictable commodity. Sometimes it’s cheap, sometimes it’s outrageously expensive. Here are a few ways to tell that your contracting business is too reliant on oil for operation, and a few alternatives to consider.

You Mostly Use Fuel-Powered Tools
One of the major advantages of fuel-powered tools is that you don’t need an outlet nearby. You also don’t need to confirm that you have the right outlet for the tool. Of course, using gas-powered tools indoors creates ventilation concerns, plus you’re burning through fuel that you will have to refill at some point. If you consider upgrading to battery-powered tools, you may not notice much of a change in quality. It’s a bigger investment at the outset, particularly if you need to stock up on batteries to keep going. But in exchange, you don’t have to worry about carbon monoxide or gas prices.

You Rely On Gas-Powered Equipment
Much of the equipment that you use on the construction site runs on fuel. And as much as you may want to find an alternative that saves you from having to buy fuel, you may not necessarily have one. After all, equipment that runs exclusively on electricity may not always be able to command the force needed to do the task. But if you’re relying on older pieces of equipment, you might be able to make some more efficient. As a general rule, newer systems use less gasoline to do the same job. If you upgrade or make it a point to rent equipment that is more current, you may be able to save on your fuel expenses.

You Need Fuel for Heat
During the colder months of the year, you might still be working mostly outside. In order to ensure that you have the flexibility needed to keep going, you might use fuel-powered appliances for heat. Of course, these may put you at risk for carbon monoxide poisoning, but you don’t have to plug them in. In this case, you may want to limit the amount of time you spend running these appliances. Running your vehicle for a few minutes while you’re on a break is less risky, but you’re probably still burning gas during that time. You can also invest in electric space heaters, although these may present a different kind of risk profile. For much of the year, you might solve the problem by simply wearing adequately warm work gear.

You Commute Long Distances to Jobsites
Here in California, few people think about the length of the commute. If you have to drive to the outskirts of any metropolitan area to find an open job site, sometimes it’s just part of the job. But if you are driving long distances, you’re still using gasoline to get there and back. As alternatives, you might:

You may be able to get tax deductions or credits for these choices, so be sure to do your research before you make a decision.

You Use Disposable Plastics
When most people think about their consumption of oil, they’re usually focusing on how much gasoline they use. And while that may be a significant portion of it, plastics are another area you should research. The ease, lower expense, and availability of plastics means that you might be using a fair amount. This includes packaging, building materials, disposable water bottles, or cleaning supplies. If you are generating a lot of plastic garbage on the job site, it’s worth considering how you can reduce it. For example, you might research companies that are using other renewable materials for packaging instead of plastic.

Reducing your oil consumption for your contracting business is more than just something you do for the environment. In many cases, it helps your budget as well. For more information about the skills, you’ll need to become a licensed contractor, visit CSLS today!