Green products are quickly becoming top sellers. Increasing numbers of restaurants, caterers, coffee shops, hotels and others are turning to environmentally friendly products. In addition to helping the environment, they are money savers. Here are just three ways to go green and save.

• Energy-efficient commercial equipment: You can literally cut your equipment energy costs in half by switching to more efficient units. For example, if you trade in the old two-door refrigerator — which uses 6 or 7 KWH/day — for a more energy efficient unit that only uses 3 or 4 KWH/day, you'll save hundreds or even thousands of dollars over the life of the unit. You may also qualify for government rebates in your area.

• Compact fluorescent light bulbs: You can dramatically cut your energy costs each year by making the switch to CFLs. You can't tell the difference, they provide the same warm light as incandescent bulbs.

• Low-flow pre-rinse spray valves: Save on water consumption, heating energy and sewer charges by switching to low-flow valves. Low-flow pre-rinse spray valves control water flow and reduce waste without impacting performance. Case studies have shown that restaurants can save several thousand dollars in just a single year!

Less energy usage not only means a reduction in harmful pollutants and global warming greenhouse gases, but also huge cost savings to you. Learn more by checking out the official Energy Star reports at www.webstaurantstore.com/green.

Dave Groff is general manager of WEBstaurant Store. He can be reached at 717-392-7550 or dgroff@clarkinc.biz.