James River Air Conditioning in Richmond, Va., installs and services heating and cooling systems.
It also does residential and commercial "greening," which means making homes and commercial spaces more energy efficient.
The 150-employee company has almost 120 trucks on the road at any given day and regularly clocks between 12,000 and 14,000 miles a day.
"Bottom line is we are using a lot of gas," said owner Hugh Joyce.
Joyce has had to pass the higher costs on to his customers by increasing the amount he charges for labor.
But there's an upside: Rising gas prices have generated customer interest in energy-saving technologies, which he has an expertise in.
He hopes that gas prices soon stabilize. Fluctuating energy prices keep customers on the sideline. "A lot of green business is discretionary. You don't have to do it," said Joyce. If there is too much volatility and uncertainty in the economy, "everyone does nothing and that is the problem right now."--CC
NEXT: Austin Generator Service and Load Banks of America
Think kids bands are corny? These five groups are bringing rock star cool to kids music and making a mint doing so. More
Sparked by widespread layoffs, government incentives, or just a plain can-do spirit, Americans launched businesses at the highest rate in 15 years in 2009 and 2010. More
Even though many small businesses are struggling, here is a handful of companies that are growing. More
