Energy Notes

• Energy Smart assists St. Paul Linoleum and Carpet Co., Armcom Distributing Company

• Follow Energy Smart on social media networks

• Coloplast saves money through energy efficiency, hopes to go further

Vehicle Fleet Efficiency Workshop
July 16
7:45 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Bloomington, Minn.
(additional upcoming events in Duluth, St. Cloud, Rochester)
Additional Information
Questions: kworley@mnchamber.com

Best Practices for Waste Reduction and Energy Efficiency
Aug. 13
8:00 a.m.
Lake Street, Minneapolis, Minn. Additional Information
Pre-register by e-mailing Joyce Wisdom at jwisdom@lakestreetcouncil.org
or call (612) 822-0232

EcoExperience - Minnesota State Fair
Aug. 27 - Sept. 7
9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
St. Paul, Minn.
Additional Information

For more information about upcoming events, please visit our events page.

According to Energy Star, replacing standard incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs can help save on summer cooling costs - because they waste less energy as heat, CFL bulbs actually help keep a room cooler while using 75% less electricity and lasting ten times as long.

For more information on low or no-cost energy-saving tips, please visit Energy Star's Small Business Summer Tips, and our Energy Smart Resources page.

To learn more about your utility's Conservation Improvement Program, click the applicable link below. If you do not see your utility listed, contact Energy Smart at (651) 292-4653 and we will assist you.

Xcel Energy
Xcel Energy customers can find information about rebates and incentives.

Minnesota Power
Minnesota Power customers can find information about rebates and incentives.

Interstate Power and Light
Interstate Power and Light (Alliant Energy) customers can find information about rebates and incentives.

Otter Tail Power
Otter Tail Power customers can find information about rebates and incentives.

http://www.mnenergysmart.com
info@mnenergysmart.com

EAGAN - A business and its parent company will save thousands of dollars this year on lighting costs, thanks to an energy-saving upgrade recommended by Energy Smart.

Energy Smart first contacted St. Paul Linoleum and Carpet Co. in July 2008 and worked closely with the business to coordinate a no-cost lighting assessment in October 2008.

St. Paul Linoleum and Carpet completed its lighting upgrade in May 2009 that is estimated to save $6,400 per year in electricity costs.

"Our lighting upgrade will require half the electrical energy we currently purchase for lighting and save us thousands of dollars a year on our electrical bills," said Lynn Hansch, vice president. The most recent energy bill was $685 less than the similar period last year. Although lower 2009 fuel surcharges may account for some savings from spring 2008, Hansch estimated electrical savings even when taking this adjustment into account.

Armcom Distributing Company, the parent company for St. Paul Linoleum and Carpet, heard about this program as a result of the upgrade and also completed a lighting assessment. Armcom Distributing completed its own upgrade in April 2009 that is estimated to save the company $2,500 per year.

Contact Energy Smart at any time to learn more about rebates available for energy efficient lighting in your area.

Energy Smart is committed to providing up-to-date news and information about energy efficiency strategies, success stories, events and rebates.

To help get the word out, Energy Smart information is now available to you on Twitter and YouTube.

As always, we are available by phone at (651) 292-4652, e-mail at info@mnenergysmart.com, and on our Web site.

 

NORTH MANKATO - Coloplast Corporation has saved 5% of its energy costs through its efficiency efforts thus far and hopes to save even more.

Coloplast underwent a lighting upgrade to T8 fluorescent lights with parabolic reflectors in 2007 in both its office and warehouse/production areas. To generate additional savings, Coloplast uses occupancy sensors to help keep lights turned off when unneeded in break rooms, rest rooms, meeting rooms, and every individual office. Benco Electric provided rebates for these retrofit projects as well as a rooftop unit retrofit project.

In addition, Coloplast replaced its roof and added insulation to help keep energy used to heat the building from being wasted. To keep the sun's light out during cooling season, employees use roller shades on their windows, which are double-pane to keep heat in during winter.

Coloplast recently underwent an Energy Smart site visit and Energy Smart will help Coloplast evaluate its eligibility for Energy Star rating as a building in the top 75th percentile of energy efficiency.

Contact Energy Smart at any time to learn more about rebates available for your company's energy efficiency projects.