Unitil Corporation, (unitil.com), a provider of natural gas and electricity to customers throughout New England, is working with local businesses to increase the energy efficiency of their facilities.
"These upgrades of old fluorescent lighting are expected to reduce my energy usage by about 11,330 kWh or 33 percent, which is significant, and the best part is that I’ll realize the savings almost immediately."
Kevin Smith, Owner, Appleseed Business Machines
Unitil offers energy efficiency incentive programs from simple lighting and heating and air conditioning upgrades to more complex projects that address process and manufacturing equipment.
"The good news is whether you’re a small business or a large industrial manufacturer, there are a variety of energy efficiency incentives available," said Unitil's Media Relations Manager Alec O'Meara. "These programs help increase economic competitiveness, improve financial results and protect the environment."
Unitil recently worked with Appleseed Business Machines based in Fitchburg, Mass., a company that specializes in retail point of sales systems and payment processing. The 80-year old building on Bemis Road was in need of more efficient lighting that would also improve the quality of lighting.
Owner Kevin Smith reached out to Unitil, which assigned an energy efficiency vendor who conducted an energy audit. As a result, 34 interior, seven exterior and sign lighting fixtures were retrofitted with high efficiency LED fixtures. In addition, programmable thermostats were installed.
“These upgrades of old fluorescent lighting are expected to reduce my energy usage by about 11,330 kWh or 33 percent, which is significant and the best part is that I’ll realize the savings almost immediately,” Smith said. "The costs of the upgrades were $9,536, which qualified for an incentive of $9,318."
