NV Energy urges businesses to attend Sure Bet Summit

NV Energy has some money to give away.

Next week the utility is hosting an event to bring awareness to its Sure Bet Incentive Program, its 13-year-old program that provides rebates for approved energy efficiency projects for commercial customers.

The program is for all kinds of businesses which are either retrofitting existing buildings or putting up new construction and looking to use energy-efficient technology.

“We’ve had customers as big as Las Vegas casinos to smaller mom and pop businesses participate in our program. If you’re a NV Energy commercial customer, you qualify for the NV Energy Sure Bet program,” said Linda Dohnal Bridges, outreach manager, Sustainable Energy Use at DNV GL.

Once a business applies for the program, NV Energy can assist with project ideas and contractors to carry it out.

“NV Energy Sure Bet Engineers will perform a free energy assessment walk-through at the business and perform a high-level audit, if necessary,” said Bridges.

About 70 percent of the projects involve replacing existing lighting with LEDs, which save energy, last longer and are now more affordable than ever, said Bridges.

The remaining work usually involves replacing existing appliances with more energy efficient equipment.

NV Energy advertises a list of contractors who have gone through its training and have installed at least one Sure Bet project annually.

Once a business’ project is completed, NV Energy issues a rebate based on kilowatts saved.

The NV Energy Sure Bet Summit is being held Aug. 19, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the NV Energy office, 6100 Neil Road in Reno.

Bridges said about 60 customers and contractors have signed up so far and about 100 are expected to attend. The event includes a networking lunch for attendees to find project partners.

The event will include an update on new, higher incentives for businesses converting to natural gas; information on the program’s online application process being launched this month and its small business program; and a talk from NV Energy engineers Karen McGinley and Dave Wylie on an emerging technology called electronically commutated motors or ECMs.

ECMs use microprocessors and electronic controls and are up to 80 percent more efficient than existing motors that power such appliances as building furnaces.

“LEDs continue to be a trend in the marketplace and an electronically commutated motors are the next big thing,” said Bridges.