Government & Institutional

Small Commercial and Institutional Audits Save Money

CES technical staff have provided energy efficiency assessments to a variety of small business and other non-residential facilities through NYSERDA’s small audit program. Industrial and commercial facilities, state and local governments, non-profit and private institutions, colleges and schools are all eligible. The only requirement is that facilities must have less than $75,000 in annual electric bills to participate in the program. The audits will help businesses and institutions make informed electrical decisions and implement energy-efficiency strategies.

Cost of the audits depends on the electric bill. If your annual bill is less than $25,000, the audit fee is $100. If it is $25,000 to $75,000, the fee is $400. The audit cost is reimbursable when upgrades equaling the value of the audit fee are implemented.

The Unitarian-Universalist Church, pictured here, had an audit several years ago that showed them how to save over $1,000 a year by upgrading lamps, weatherstripping, insulation of the church envelope and pipes and an outdoor air reset on the boiler. Many of these recommendations have been made.

In 2003, the Canton Free Library received a 35-page audit report that showed 70% of their electric consumption was for inside lighting. Every light was inventoried, as well as heating and cooling and water heating. The report found that the library could save over $3,000 per year for an investment of $18,000 with a payback of under six years. These savings were possible with the installation of more energy-efficient lighting and LED exit signs and the addition of interior storm windows in the older main section.

The Library acted on all of the recommendations. “We immediately changed all the lights and found that our electric bill at that time was cut in half,” says Library Director Lyn Swafford. The custom made exterior storm windows are finally about to be installed and the Library looks forward to tracking their heating bills for further savings.

NYSERDA offers some incentives and low-cost loans for approved energy-efficiency measures in small commercial, government and institutional buildings. Call CES at 315-379-9466 to find out more about how you can help your institution save energy and money.