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01/24/2012
We run an insurance agency out of a small house that we bought and had converted into offices. Every winter, the staff is uncomfortable because the building is drafty. Plus, the heat bills are astronomical. Something has to be done, but I don’t know the answer. A new furnace? More insulation? Better windows? How do I find out? – KG, DH, Orange County Paul:
In a building like yours, your best first step is an energy audit. An audit will give you a whole-building view, looking at numerous factors that have an impact on your energy use and comfort. A qualified auditor will assess the air leakage in your building, check the insulation, look at the efficiency of your equipment (heating, cooling, ventilation, lighting, etc) and make recommendations for improvements. This comprehensive view of a building yields higher energy savings than a piecemeal approach to efficiency upgrades. Dan:
I agree. I recommend bringing in a contractor who is certified by the Building Performance Institute. BPI-certified contractors are trained to understand the ways that a building and its systems interact to affect energy use, air movement, and air quality, as well as health and safety issues. After conducting the audit, the contractor can help you determine cost-effective ways to control your energy expenses and to improve your comfort in your building. Paul:
Depending on the type of property, Efficiency Vermont offers up to $7,500 to small-business owners who have energy audits and insulation upgrades completed by BPI contractors. View the full eligibility requirements and a list of participating BPI contractors. Dan:
If you find that equipment upgrades are warranted, be aware that Efficiency Vermont also offers rebates for a range of energy-saving equipment, such as efficient furnaces, boilers, ventilation, air conditioning, lighting, and refrigeration. Additional rebates may be available, so contact Efficiency Vermont if you don’t see certain equipment listed. Paul:
Best of luck making your office a less costly and more comfortable place. Thanks for writing in.
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12/19/2011
Q: I own a convenience store, so a lot of my electric bill is for my coolers. I’ve been hearing that there’s a way to bring outside air into a cooler during the winter to use less electricity. What can you tell me about this? How much can this save me? Any and all information appreciated. - GL, Lamoille County A:
Paul: What you’ve been hearing about is called an outside-air economizer, for walk-in coolers. It’s worth investigating for a store like yours, or for any business that relies on a walk-in cooler, such as a restaurant, grocery store, or beverage center. This equipment automatically brings outside air into a walk-in when outdoor temperatures fall below the cooler’s required temperature. Using the colder outside air instead of the walk-in’s compressor, condensing unit, and evaporator fans saves energy and money. Dan: Economizers are best in coolers where you store closed or packaged products, such as beverages, because the outdoor air could make exposed food dry. This technology can be particularly useful in a climate like ours. Vermont temperatures are cool enough for about 120 days per year to allow us to make good use of economizers. Savings can be in the $275 to $770 range each year, depending on factors like your cooler size and your store’s operating hours. You can save even more if you have an evaporator fan motor control installed with the economizer, because it will shut down some of the evaporator fans when the compressor isn’t running. Paul:Typically, for an economizer to be cost effective, the volume of a walk-in cooler needs to be at least 1,000 cubic feet (that’s volume ─ not square footage). However, other factors must be considered to optimize your investment, so it’s best to talk to a contractor who installs this equipment to determine if this is a good financial move for you. Economizer manufacturers will either do the installation or refer you to a list of qualified contractors in your area. If you need help finding manufacturers working with Vermont businesses, give Efficiency Vermont a call, toll-free: 888-921-5990. Dan: To install an economizer, a trained contractor will mount air-intake and exhaust equipment through the walk-in cooler room’s exterior wall as well as a control unit and efficient circulation fan(s), which will operate when evaporator fans are off. Typically, manufacturer-approved installers can also maintain and repair these systems. Paul: Efficiency Vermont offers financial incentives for economizers used in walk-in coolers with a volume of 1,000 cubic feet or more. Rebates are also available for other energy-saving refrigeration equipment and for efficient boilers, furnaces, ventilation, air conditioning, and lighting. You can download easy-to-use, mail-in rebate forms at EfficiencyVermont.com. Additional rebates may be available for custom projects, so contact Efficiency Vermont if you don’t see certain equipment listed.
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11/19/2011
Q: I run a gym, and the boiler we have won’t last beyond this winter. I want the new boiler to be as efficient as we can afford. What I’d like to know is what to look for and if any rebates are available for oil boilers. Thanks in advance. – TD, Windham County A:
Paul:
I assume that you’ve got good reason to think that it’s time to replace your boiler. But for readers who haven’t had your experience, I’ll state that first it makes sense to have a whole-building energy audit, to make sure your heating needs aren’t affected by envelope issues, and address those before anything else. Also, be sure to ask your heating service contractor or HVAC contractor to confirm that replacement will be cost effective. Dan:
To find the right high-efficiency boiler for your needs, the first step is to determine the heating output of your current boiler. If your heating output needs are 300 MBh or fewer, look for an ENERGY STAR® qualified model. That will get you a minimum efficiency of 85% AFUE (annual fuel utilization efficiency). For output of 300 to 500 MBh, look for 87% thermal efficiency. (In case you’re interested, an “MBh” is equal to 1,000 British Thermal Units per hour. A British ThermalUnit is a standard measure of heat.) Paul:
True enough. Rebates are available from Efficiency Vermont, for efficient #2 fuel oil or liquid propane (LP) gas boilers and furnaces. Additionally, there are rebates for energy-efficient furnaces (forced hot air) which can provide both fuel and electrical savings, by incorporating energy efficient fan motors along with an efficient combustion system. Visit the EfficiencyVermont.com HVAC section to download an easy-to-use, mail-in rebate application. For readers who buy heating fuel through Vermont Gas Systems (VGS), contact VGS about rebate availability. Dan:
Seeing as you run a gym, I’m guessing that your building uses a fair amount of hot water for showers and possibly for laundry. For some businesses with ongoing hot-water needs (like inns, restaurants, gyms, day care centers, laundries, etc.), it may make financial sense to use a boiler to heat water as well. This entails replacing a stand-alone water heater with a similarly-sized water tank, which operates as a new zone off the boiler. The energy-saving benefits of this approach depend on the particular needs of your business, so ask your heating service contractor if this is a good move for you. Paul:
Efficiency Vermont can also help you get started with an energy audit, and offers rebates for a range of efficient equipment including lighting, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration, and more. Learn more about the rebates and other savings programs in the EfficiencyVermont.com Ways to Save and Rebates section or by calling toll-free, at 888-921-5990.
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10/24/2011
Dear Vermonters, We usually use this column to answer your business-related energy efficiency questions; but since Tropical Storm Irene, business has been anything but usual. Since the first reports of widespread damage came in, all of us at Efficiency Vermont have been working as quickly as possible to adapt our programs to help with rebuilding. Our own Chuck Clerici, from Wilmington, wrote in two days after the flood, “The storm hit much earlier and with much more force than anyone expected. The losses are heartbreaking, the worst by far being the death of Ivana Taseva – a wonderful young woman who’d just recently moved here from Macedonia. In addition, many of our families have been displaced and almost every business has incredible damage. I know other towns are dealing with similar tragedies and our hearts go out to them.” Chuck isn’t a particularly sentimental guy, but there’s no question he’s Vermonter at heart — thinking of others even in the midst of his own town’s hard times. The past few weeks, as challenging as they have been, have shown Vermonters at their best, banding together to get back on our feet. Housing each other, feeding one another, and doing what needs to be done. Later in his note, Chuck writes, “Many of the businesses that rebuild will have an opportunity to improve their building shells, HVAC, lighting, and refrigeration. I will be offering my assistance to all businesses on this front. I may wish to call on some of my peers with expertise to pitch in. Stay tuned…” We were all on the same page. As the state efficiency utility, our main focus needs to remain on energy efficiency, but we can help those rebuilding with both financial and technical assistance, and also ensure that wherever possible, buildings are more efficient and less expensive to operate. Here’s what we have in place: For small businesses (and homeowners) beginning to repair or rebuild: We are offering free, objective moisture assessments and air sealing for affected areas, with energy efficiency and safety in mind. You can call our Customer Support staff at 888-921-5990 from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Friday to schedule your assessment. Funding for this free program is limited, and availability is on a first-come, first-served basis. For those who are replacing damaged or missing equipment: We are offering financial assistance on a wide range of energy efficient replacement equipment. Please visit EfficiencyVermont.com/Irene or call us at 888-921-5990 for the full details. To all of you who have been affected by the storm, our thoughts are you. As Chuck writes in his letter, “Our town is very sad, but the spirit of Vermont is alive and well. We couldn’t agree more. Sincerely, Paul and Dan
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08/31/2011
Q: My business has been at our current location for less than a year. My staff tells me they’re often adjusting the heat or the air conditioning because it’s either too cold or too hot and stuffy. Meanwhile, my utility bills are sky high. I’m hoping to avoid a full-scale overhaul of the space – what do I do?
- BH, Caledonia County
A:
Paul:
I would start by looking at your HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) system, to see that it’s meeting your specific needs. Many Vermont businesses are able to lower energy costs by hundreds to thousands of dollars per year this way, depending on building size. In addition to lowering energy costs and increasing your comfort, the right HVAC system may improve indoor air quality. Dan:
An HVAC contractor will probably start by looking at your controls — these may be as simple as a wall-mounted thermostat or as complex as a facility-wide, computerized setup, depending on your HVAC system. He or she can determine if your existing controls can be programmed to respond to your facility’s changing conditions, taking into account your hours of operation, the size of your facility, and the impact of activities in the building on the generation of heat, moisture, and airborne particles. Paul:
The contractor will also review your equipment, and how it’s laid out. It could be that some areas are over- or under-supplied, or that some of your equipment is sized or adjusted incorrectly — this can certainly affect performance. It’s also possible that some component is simply broken, even though you’re in a new space. It could be as simple as a blown fuse. Dan:
If you have a mechanical service contract, ask if a routine HVAC control optimization can be included as part of annual service calls. It’s not uncommon for HVAC controls to need an annual “tune up” to make sure that they’re meeting current needs. And, in case you don’t already have your system serviced annually, I want to emphasize that regular service is key to proper operation. Paul:
If you and your contractor determine that it’s time to replace or upgrade your equipment, look into rebates offered by Efficiency Vermont. Rebates are available for specified efficient equipment, including boilers, furnaces, ventilation, air conditioning, lighting, refrigeration, and motors. You can download rebate forms and find contractors at our Find a Contractor page, and additional rebates may be available for custom projects, so contact Efficiency Vermont if you don’t see certain equipment listed.
Dan:
Best of luck with lowering your costs and improving your comfort. Thanks for writing in!
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07/30/2011
Q: While an electrician was doing some wiring work in my store, he said that I’m overpaying for lighting. He said that my overhead fluorescent tubes are T12s and that they’re energy wasters. He offered to get me low-energy lights called HPT8s that he says work as well. This is the first time I’ve had him in the store since my old electrician retired. What’s your take on his advice? - WT, Windsor County, VT A:
Dan: Your new electrician knows what he’s talking about. In fact, by federal law, T12s won’t be manufactured after July 14, 2012 because of their high energy use. As for HPT8s (High Performance T8s), they’re exactly what I’d recommend. They use up to 50% less energy than T12s and can last as much as twice as long, which means less cost to you for future tube replacements and associated maintenance time. HPT8s also provide better quality light than T12s and, because they operate cooler, can mean lower air conditioning costs in certain spaces. Paul: From a financial standpoint, your electrician couldn’t have chosen a better time to give his advice. Efficiency Vermont is offering special, higher rebates that cover up to 50% of the equipment costs (and, in some cases, even more) of specified replacements for T12s. These rebates also apply to upgrades from HID high-bay lighting systems. Be aware that these rebates are good only for installations completed by December 1, 2011. Dan: It’s also important to keep in mind that, because T12s won’t be manufactured after 2012, you eventually won’t be able to find replacements for burned-out T12s. Paul: That’s right, so the bottom line is: You’ll have to replace your T12s eventually and this is the most cost-effective time to do it. That’s not only because of Efficiency Vermont’s limited-time rebates, but also because you’ll start reaping the benefits of lower electricity costs and higher-quality lighting sooner. And based on typical commercial use (10 hours per weekday), the new HPT8 bulbs will last up to 10 years before you need to replace them. Dan: I should point out that there’s a way to get even bigger energy savings from this lighting change. (And there’s a rebate connected to this too. More on that from Paul, below.) Whenever I talk with a business owner who is planning a lighting upgrade, I explain that energy savings come from more than just the kind of lighting you choose. Savings also come from locating and aiming your lights in a way to illuminate only where you need it. With that kind of sensible lighting design, it’s possible to actually reduce the amount of lighting you’ll need to buy. That means a lower initial cost and lower utility bills. Paul: The rebate Dan just mentioned is available to Vermont businesses working with a professional lighting designer. Depending on building type, size, and energy savings, it typically covers 50 to 100% of the lighting designer’s audit cost. Working with a lighting designer can increase energy savings by an average of 40% compared to simple one-for-one replacements of old lighting with new. Quality lighting design also can provide more uniform light, improved light levels, better visibility, and enhanced safety. And a well-lit space can mean higher staff morale and productivity as well as a retail environment where customers prefer to shop. Dan: To get T12-replacement rebates, check out the newLIGHT program. To learn about lighting designer rebates and to find a list of participating designers, check out the RELIGHT Lighting Design Program. Also at Efficiency Vermont’s site, you can find rebate forms for a range of energy-saving lighting and equipment purchases. Good luck with your lighting upgrade and congratulations on choosing a knowledgeable electrician.
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06/30/2011
Q: Before the economic downturn, I was considering energy-efficient lighting for my general store. But with sales slow to recover and expenses continuing to rise, I’m not sure we can afford it right now. Still, I could use the lower energy bills I’d get with new lights. What’s the best financial move? - CM, Rutland Paul: In this economy, putting money into improving your business's energy efficiency is one of the best investments you can make. The businesses that worked with Efficiency Vermont to make energy-saving investments in 2010 are expected to earn a 50% average annual rate of return over the lifetime of their new, efficient equipment. It's tough to imagine other investments with such solid return potential. Another good reason to take energy-saving actions now is the simple fact that waiting is expensive. In other words, deciding to do nothing is like volunteering to pay higher energy costs than necessary, month after month. Dan: Your lighting upgrade is a great example of a wise investment. If you were, for example, to replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent lights (CFLs), you'd reduce lighting-energy costs by as much as 75%. CFLs also can last as much as 10-times longer. For overhead tube lighting, High-Performance T8s use as much up to 20% less energy than standard T8s and up to 50% less than T12s, and outlast either of them. Paul: When sales are dropping or leveling, it makes solid financial sense to reduce operating expenses, like utility bills, instead of passing rising costs on to customers. And, unlike many other actions designed to increase revenue, such as expanding business hours or services, efficiency improvements don’t need to come with permanently higher expenses, like increased payroll. Dan: In addition to energy savings, efficiency upgrades carry other benefits that can have a positive impact on your bottom line. Quality efficient lighting and/or HVAC systems can reduce maintenance and replacement costs. Upgrades can improve comfort for customers, who may want to shop in your store longer and return more often. A more pleasant store environment also can improve staff morale and productivity while literally putting products in a better light. And some consumers are attracted to businesses that show a commitment to the environment by reducing energy use. Paul: If you’re finding it tough to come up with the capital for facility upgrades, visit the Financing page to learn about financing arrangements. You’ll see approaches such as low-interest loans, designed to pay for energy-saving upgrades with little upfront investment from you, while providing you with more cash on hand. Many Vermont businesses taking advantage of such arrangements can create a positive cash flow by obtaining energy savings that exceed financing payments. Dan: Also at this website, you’ll find easy-to-use, downloadable forms, which you can mail in to get rebates for specified energy-efficient equipment purchases. Additional rebates may be available for custom projects. If you have any questions, give Efficiency Vermont a call, toll-free, at 888-9210-5990. Paul: Best of luck with your lighting project and thanks for a question that’s bound to help many Vermont business owners.
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05/20/2011
Q. A couple years ago, we had good results upgrading to energy-efficient lights at our family’s restaurant. We lowered our electric costs and we actually like the lighting better. Now we’re ready to look into another energy-saver project that will lower the electric bill some more. What would you say is the best next step? If it helps: Our biggest piece of equipment is our walk-in cooler. - PN, Orange County Paul:
You’re wise to be making efficient upgrades; energy demands in food service facilities are roughly 2.5 times more per square foot than in most commercial buildings. Your best next step depends on a number of factors, including your budget and the age of your equipment. Generally, the top opportunities for energy savings in food-service operations are lighting, refrigeration, food preparation equipment, and ventilation. Dan:
It’s great that you addressed your lighting first. I suggest turning to refrigeration next. Let’s start with the simplest actions and then move to energy-saving investments. For example, keep the cooler well stocked. This will help the cooler stay cold longer, reducing the amount of time the refrigeration system is active. You also can reduce system run times if you keep evaporator and condenser coils clean, to improve air flow. Paul:
It’s essential to consider the air-tightness of your refrigeration equipment. If a unit has gaps or cracks where warm air can enter and cool air can escape, the cooling system will have to work harder to keep up. A refrigeration contractor can check your cooler's door seals for air tightness. Also, set refrigerator temperatures no lower than required by health code. Dan:
A great energy saver for a walk-in cooler is an outdoor-air economizer. This equipment reduces energy use by automatically bringing outside air into the cooler when outdoor temperatures fall below the refrigerated-box temperature. With an economizer, compressors and condensing units run up to 20% less. If you install an evaporator fan motor control with the economizer, you can save even more in some walk-ins because it will shut down some of the evaporator fans when the compressor isn’t running. Note: I don’t recommend an economizer if you keep unpackaged items in your cooler, as they can become dry. Paul:
To reduce operating costs for evaporator fans (the fans visible inside your cooler or freezer), replace standard, shaded-pole fan motors with brushless DC evaporator fan motors (also known as ECM). These motors can save between $100 and $130 per fan per year in a walk-in cooler. Overall savings are greatest when combining walk-in coolers' efficient motors with evaporator fan motor controls, which Dan mentioned above. Dan:
These motors, controls, and compressors are also important to look for when buying new coolers. Efficiency Vermont can work with you and your contractor to investigate the most cost-effective approaches for your particular business and budget. If you have questions, call 888-921-5990, toll-free. Paul:
Efficiency Vermont provides rebates for the purchase of efficient equipment for refrigeration, lighting, ventilation, heating, cooling, and other recommended efficiency investments. Go to the Ways to Save & Rebates section of our website to download easy-to-use mail-in rebate forms. Best of luck in your efforts to cut energy costs at your family’s restaurant.
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04/04/2011
Q. At our inn, the boiler won’t last another winter. I want the new boiler to be as efficient as I can afford. What I’d like to know is what to look for and if any rebates are available for oil boilers. Thanks in advance. – GI, Orleans County Paul:
I assume that you’ve got good reason to think that it’s time to replace your boiler. But, for readers who haven’t had your experience, I’ll state that it makes sense to ask your heating service contractor or HVAC contractor to confirm that replacement will be cost effective. Dan:
To find the right high-efficiency boiler for your needs, the first step is to determine the heating output of your current boiler. If your heating output needs are 300 MBh or fewer, look for an ENERGY STAR® qualified model. That will get you a minimum efficiency of 85% AFUE (annual fuel utilization efficiency). For output of 300 to 500 MBh, look for 87% ET (thermal efficiency). (In case you’re interested, an “MBh” is equal to 1,000 British Thermal Units per hour. A British Thermal Unit is a standard measure of heat.) For readers wondering about efficient furnaces, I’ll mention that recommended efficiencies are different from boilers. You can find that information on the rebate form that Paul is about to discuss. Paul:
True enough. Rebates are available from Efficiency Vermont, for efficient #2 fuel oil or liquid propane (LP) gas boilers and furnaces as well as for efficient furnace-fan motors (this also applies to natural gas furnaces). Go to the HVAC rebates page to download a new, easy-to-use mail-in rebate form. For readers who buy heating fuel through Vermont Gas Systems, contact VGS about rebate availability. Dan:
Seeing as you run an inn, I’m guessing that your building uses a fair amount of hot water for laundry, showers, and dishwashing. For some businesses with ongoing hot-water needs (like inns, restaurants, gyms, day care centers, laundries, etc.), it may make financial sense to use a boiler to also heat water. This entails replacing a stand-alone water heater with a similarly-sized water tank, which operates as a new zone off the boiler. The energy-saving benefits of this approach depend on the particular needs of your business, so ask your heating service contractor if this is a good move for you. Also ask about the condition of your current water heater because the most cost-effective time to make this switch is when a water heater needs to be replaced. Paul:
Efficiency Vermont also offers rebates for a range of other efficient equipment including lighting, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration, and more. If you have questions, call Efficiency Vermont, toll-free, at 888-921-5990. Thanks for writing in.
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03/28/2011
Q. This is the year we’re going to do something about our energy bills. We want to start with lighting. In our business, we sell merchandise through catalogs, mail order, and a retail location. So, our building includes a warehouse, offices, and the store. We’re looking for advice on efficient lighting for all of these spaces. – PL, Windham County Paul: Great energy-saving options are available for a building like yours. We’ll give you information about upgrades that are typical for your three, distinct spaces. Dan: In your warehouse, replace any high-pressure sodium or metal halide lighting with high-performance T8 or T5 fluorescent tube lighting. High-performance T8s are also a great upgrade for offices that currently use T12 fluorescent tubes for overhead lighting. Your energy savings could run from 25% to 50%. Also in your offices, replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent lights (CFLs), and you’ll use as much as 75% less energy for those lamps. Paul: Dan’s advice about office overhead lights also applies to general lighting for a retail store. And, if your store currently has screw-in halogens for merchandise display, use screw-in LEDs (light-emitting diodes) instead and your energy use for product display will drop by as much as 80%. With a light quality similar to halogens, these LEDs are ideal for displays because they provide directional rather than diffused lighting. Screw-in LEDs are also a great option for use in recessed cans. Dan: All of these energy-saving lighting systems are designed to last much longer than older technologies, so they also can save you money on replacement costs and related maintenance-installation costs. They run cooler too, so they can reduce cooling needs in some spaces. As importantly, the quality of light you’ll get with efficient lighting matches or improves on traditional lighting. That quality can boost worker morale/productivity, provide greater safety, and create an improved retail environment that literally puts your merchandise in a better light and makes for a better shopping experience for your customers. Paul: While you’re upgrading your lighting, it makes sense to consider occupancy sensors. Sensors save energy by automatically turning off lights in empty rooms and turning them on again when someone enters the space. These can be a good option for offices and for spaces less-frequently used, like rest rooms, break rooms, and storage areas. Dan: I want to point out that reducing lighting energy costs is about more than the kind of equipment you use. Savings also come from locating and aiming your lights in a way to bring illumination only where you need it. With that kind of sensible lighting design, it’s possible to actually lower the amount of lighting you’ll need to buy. That means a smaller initial cost and lower utility bills going forward. Working with a lighting designer can increase energy savings by an average of 40% compared to simple one-for-one replacements of old lighting with new. Rebates are available, from Efficiency Vermont’s RELIGHT Program, to Vermont businesses working with a professional lighting designer. Paul: Efficiency Vermont also offers rebates for occupancy sensors, recommended screw-in LEDs, and for specified replacements for T12s, high-pressure sodium, and metal halide lighting. Go to www.efficiencyvermont.com for information and for new, easy-to-use downloadable rebate forms for lighting, as well as for a range of other efficient equipment -- including boilers, furnaces, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration, and more. If you have questions, call Efficiency Vermont, toll-free, at 888-921-5990.
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