Realife Cooperative finds savings by conserving water

FARIBAULT — This spring, Realife Cooperative received a complimentary low-flow faucet aerator from Energy Smart as part of an initiative to inform Minnesota businesses of the financial and energy-saving benefits of conserving hot water. Low-flow aerators can save $10 or more annually per faucet by replacing some water output with air.

Shirley Galvin, resident service director for the senior housing cooperative, thought the idea was interesting and put the aerator to the test with the co-op’s five board members.

The board members liked the aerator so much that they purchased 10 more low-flow aerators from a local hardware store for $4.29 apiece and installed them in common rooms of the building. They then found out that Energy Smart had arranged a discount on water conservation products from the same company it purchased its aerators from. The cooperative purchased 100 more aerators for less than $1 each. They installed them on almost every faucet in the building and are hearing rave reviews from co-op members. “It won’t take much of a consumption reduction to recoup a $75 investment,” says Ms. Galvin. “These aerators are something we probably would not have thought of if Energy Smart had not sent us a sample.”

She says cooperative members are looking forward to lowering their natural gas bills using the aerators. But they have discovered another benefit: The aerators reduce water pressure from the building’s faucets. Many residents had expressed concern about high water pressure.

Interested in learning about low-flow aerators for your facility or getting a discount? Contact Energy Smart at (651) 292-4652.

Stillwater group foresees big savings from new lights

One Stillwater organization expects to save more than $1,400 a year on electric bills, thanks to a recent lighting upgrade.

Community Thread, a social services organization, received a no-cost lighting audit arranged by Energy Smart. The auditor estimated that Community Thread would save $1,418 a year by swapping out its 130 or so T-12 fluorescent-bulb fixtures with thinner and more-efficient T-8s. The upgrade cost $3,212 after rebates from Xcel Energy. Community Thread is paying for the upgrade through a low-cost loan offered through the Center for Energy and Environment One-Stop Efficiency Shop program and expects the upgrade will pay for itself in just over two years.If you’re interested in arranging a no-cost lighting audit or energy efficiency consultation, call Energy Smart at (651) 292-4652.

CenterPoint Energy demos energy-efficient kitchen equipment at Foodservice Learning Center

Restaurants and other foodservice operators can save money and energy by replacing aging kitchen equipment with energy-efficient natural gas models. But figuring out what equipment to buy isn’t always a piece of cake.

CenterPoint Energy offers its commercial natural gas customers the Foodservice Learning Center, located near downtown Minneapolis. The center demonstrates high-efficiency natural gas food-preparation equipment and assists customers with equipment selection, processing rebates and proper operational techniques.

CenterPoint Energy offers 13 commercial foodservice equipment rebates to help lower the initial start-up costs of purchasing high-efficiency equipment. For more information, go to www.centerpointenergy.com/foodservice or contact Foodservice Trade Ally Representative Ann Lovcik at (612) 321-5470

For more news about Energy Smart and the success of Minnesota businesses, visit our news coverage page.