Adventure Inn takes steps to save energy

ELY – Adventure Inn has taken many steps to lower its energy costs.

The inn already uses compact fluorescent bulbs in every guest room and switches office lights off when they are not needed. Down comforters keep guests comfortable even when the temperature is set to 66 degrees during the winter.

An efficient front-loading washing machine using a special detergent allows the inn to use the warm/cold wash setting instead of hot water, saving laundry energy costs. In August, the inn removed its vending machine, helping to save as much as $225 per year from a machine that was rarely used. Removing this machine was a recommendation made during an Energy Smart site visit.

“We have definitely seen an impact on our bottom line from these changes,” said Sue Edgington of Adventure Inn. She spoke over the sounds of hammering as Mark, her husband and business partner, installed an Energy Star window in her office. “Mark is the money man, and every investment has to recoup costs.”

Adventure Inn will consider energy efficiency as part of its future building plans. “As a former dairy farmer, conservation is a part of my background – it has always been a way of life for us. We are always looking for new ways to save energy.”

Contact Energy Smartat any time to learn more about rebates available for your business’s energy efficiency projects.

Energy Smart celebrates one-year anniversary with money-saving tips

Energy Smart celebrated its first year of successful business assistance in October 2009.

To mark the anniversary, Energy Smart posted a month of energy and money-saving tips to help businesses get started right away. Check out the tip library, or visit Energy Smart’s Twitter account to read more.

For more information about any of these tips or other cost-saving strategies, Energy Smart is available via phone at (651) 292-4652, e-mail at info@mnenergysmart.com, or via its Web site at http://www.mnenergysmart.com.

ST. PAUL – The Minnesota Office of Energy Security sends out regular updates about energy-related programs and projects through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

Sign up to receive updatesabout stimulus funding opportunities and program development via e-mail from the Office of Energy Security.

Contact Energy Smart at any time to learn more about rebates or financial incentives available for energy efficient projects in your area.