Figures show Way to Save is working
By Ed Nadolski
Editor in Chief
The Way to Save Burlington initiative is producing measurable energy-saving results for electric utility customers in the city, according to recent data compiled by a third party evaluator.
“Our total energy savings was much more than expected,” said Kevin Duffy, Burlington’s energy ambassador for the Way to Save program. “I think the results are really great, but there is still a lot of work to do – especially on the residential side.”
Way to Save Burlington is a one-of-a-kind pilot program intended to gauge the effectiveness of a concerted energy-saving initiative on a single community. The level of success achieved by the program, which is funded by We Energies, will influence the utility’s decision whether to roll out similar efforts elsewhere.
The program’s goal is to get city residents, businesses and institutions to embrace energy-saving measures by utilizing existing programs offered through the utility and complementary programs such as Focus on Energy, according to Duffy.
“The programs and incentives that I’m connecting people to in Burlington are eligible to all people served by We Energies (regardless of where they live in the state),” he said.
Analyzing data spanning the period from the third quarter of 2010 through the second quarter of 2011, an independent firm hired by We Energies found that the city experienced a net cumulative savings of nearly 3.9 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) for that span.
Kilowatt-hours are useful for measuring amounts of electricity used by households and, on a smaller level, by large appliances, such as refrigerators, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists. One kWh is one hour of using electricity at a rate of 1,000 watts. New, energy-efficient refrigerators use about 1.4 kilowatt-hours per day, and about 500 kilowatt-hours per year.
The gross savings for Burlington was much greater, but it is balanced somewhat by similar measures taken in the control community of Watertown.
Since the basic energy savings programs are available in both Burlington and Watertown, the numbers registered by Watertown are subtracted from Burlington’s savings numbers to determine the net savings as a result of the Way to Save program – which Watertown does not have.
The difference between the two communities is the presence of Duffy and the Energy Task Force, which is made up of local leaders from business, government and institutions.
The numbers indicate the program is having a significant impact on local business. Savings generated by business programs in Burlington amounted to 4.02 million kWh for the first year of the Way to Save program.
Duffy said businesses keep a much closer watch on their budgets and are more likely to participate in energy-saving programs that have a relatively rapid payback period.
“That’s where the majority of the savings was,” he said, noting that several local businesses, including Lavelle, Circle Inc., Wanasek Corp. and Miller Motors, took advantage of incentive programs to change to more energy-efficient lighting.
Duffy said the return on investment for the participants was in the 1.5- to 3-year range. “It also provides jobs at the local level,” he said, noting that local suppliers and contractors did most of the work.
Way to Save, however, did not have similar success with residential energy use in its first year. According to the analysis, electricity use actually increased slightly among the utility’s residential customers.
“It’s just more difficult for residents (to participate),” Duffy said, noting barriers of time and money facing the typical family.
He said the program is working on several initiatives to increase participation by owners of single-family homes. Way to Save completed a home energy makeover contest this fall and is working on fostering competition among students in local schools to help raise the profile of the program.
“Our main goal is to make people aware of the Home Performance Energy Star testing program,” he said.
That program, which carries a $400 cost for homeowners, helps identify where the greatest potential energy savings is and provides incentives to make improvements that range from switching to more energy-efficient appliances, to improving weather stripping and insulation.
“You’re not going to see your money back immediately, but if you see yourself (living) in Burlington for a while, this is the best bang for the buck,” Duffy said.
While there is a financial barrier to participation by owners of single-family homes, participation by owners of apartment buildings with two or more units comes at little or no cost, Duffy said.
Those who schedule an assessment will get free installation of energy efficient light bulbs, low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators. Owners of buildings with 2 to 4 units will also receive a free blower door test and weatherization, Duffy said.
To take advantage of programs for homeowners and businesses or for additional information on Way to Save Burlington, contact Duffy at (262) 632-0648.
The Way to Save program is currently scheduled to continue through 2012.
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