There is a saying that energy efficiency starts in the home, but what about the thousands of businesses in Connecticut that rely on energy to keep their companies running? It's safe to say that the same expression could be applied your businesses.And, just like at home, making your business more energy-efficient will save you money in addition to setting a fine "green" example for your business neighbors. Because whether you're an owner or manager, each of us consumes and relies on energy to support our products, services and livelihoods. So shouldn't we share the responsibility and do our part to help the environment by reducing greenhouse-gas emissions and our carbon footprint? The payout to you will be twofold; your efforts to reduce your energy consumption will benefit the community and your bottom line at the same time.Whether you're a small-business owner or help run a large corporation, you understand that the cost of doing business doesn't come cheap. In addition to salaries, taxes and the daily expenditures of running a business, the cost of energy can add up.
Fortunately, you need to look no further than your utility provider for assistance in tapping into programs to lower your energy costs.
Through the Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund, your utility company administers many programs and has access to funding and energy-efficient technologies that can help your company become more energy-efficient. The benefit to you is lower utility bills and pride in your efforts. In addition, the Energy Efficiency Fund offers attractive financial incentives that can help you offset the associated cost of making improvements.
The type of energy-efficient measures that can be implemented in your business depends on the type of company and your industry. Locally, the United Illuminating Co. (UI) has three major programs that support different needs and energy efficiency measures: Small Business Energy Advantage, Energy Conscious Blueprint and Energy Opportunities.
Getting Started With Energy Efficiency
The first step is to contact your utility provider. At UI, we will perform a no-obligation energy-use walk through assessment where a qualified energy expert will evaluate your facility. During this review the analyst will assess your existing energy consuming systems such as the lighting equipment and controls, heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment and its controls, refrigeration equipment and controls, and any process or manufacturing equipment. In some cases this assessment may include computers and office equipment or food service equipment.
Afterwards, you will be given some direction regarding your next appropriate energy-saving actions for your consideration. For example, if you are a "small business" implementing lighting controls and improving efficiency to help maintain or improve lighting levels can save your business 20 to 30 percent on energy bills. There also are refrigeration controls available that help reduce the run time for compressors, evaporator fans and door heaters on walk-in and reach-in coolers and freezers, as well as shut-off controls for stand-alone vending machines. Our data shows that business customers who have implemented these types of energy efficiency measures are seeing up to a 35 percent reduction in refrigeration costs. Larger customers may develop a plan with our assistance that focuses on one or more measures that deliver large energy saving and economic impacts. As with smaller businesses the impacts can be substantial, representing a 10% to 30% reduction. Any reductions are governed by the existing equipment, its efficiency, how it is operated and maintained.
Once the energy-saving actions have been identified, the installation and service is performed by approved professional contractors who are careful not to disrupt your daily business. They abide by strict program guidelines concerning the costs of materials, labor, licensing and proper disposal of changed out bulbs, ballasts and other waste.
Invest In the Future of Your Business Today
The thought of spending money on improving your facility's energy efficiency may seem daunting, but financial incentives and technical assistance are available through the Energy Efficiency Fund. Qualified lighting or non-lighting projects that replace existing functioning equipment may be eligible for cash incentives of up to 50 percent of the implementation costs. These funds help your business offset the costs of upgrades and improvements, and over time, you will have a return on investment by seeing your energy bills go down, not up.
Thousands of Connecticut businesses have already taken advantage of the available programs to help become more energy efficient and are experiencing the rewards. Isn't it time for you to pick up the phone and get started?
Roy W.Haller, Manager Energy Services, Commercial and Industrial, The United Illuminating Company
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