Matt Mareno
Energy costs are controllable operating expenses for many businesses. Upgrading commercial lighting fixtures, heating and cooling systems, refrigeration, and kitchen equipment to newer, more efficient technology can help businesses save energy and money, year after year.
Energy efficiency is beneficial for both the environment and the business's financial performance. PowerShift by NV Energy’s Business Energy Services program offers technical assistance and cash incentives for energy-efficient equipment that reduces energy use and lowers utility bills.
In addition, many energy efficiency measures reduce maintenance demands, improve comfort, enhance business marketability, and increase profit. However, many businesses are unsure how to begin or how to find the most suitable solutions for their particular needs. A PowerShift energy adviser can help.
An energy adviser is a specialist who offers expert knowledge and direction on energy efficiency projects and incentive programs. They assist businesses in finding and prioritizing energy-saving opportunities that qualify for incentives, whether it be for existing facility improvements, major renovations, or new construction projects.
An energy adviser can also help businesses select a knowledgeable contractor, offer continuous support along the application process, and provide suggestions for future savings opportunities.
Business Energy Services has helped hundreds of small to large businesses become more energy efficient and save money. One example of a business that benefited from working with a PowerShift energy adviser is a manufacturing company based in Sparks that wanted to reduce its energy consumption and costs. This customer contacted a PowerShift energy adviser who worked with them to find two major areas of improvement: lighting and motor control.
The energy adviser recommended that they replace old, fluorescent and metal halide lighting with new LED lighting, which would reduce energy use by 60 percent and improve the quality and safety of the work environment.
They also suggested that the company replace an existing vacuum pump with a more efficient unit controlled by a variable speed drive, which would reduce energy use by 65 percent and extend the life of the equipment.
The energy adviser helped the company select a contractor network member to complete the work, a contractor who is familiar with and trained on the processes and procedures of NV Energy's Business Energy Services program.
The contractor finished the work quickly so there was little disruption to business operations and worked with the energy adviser on the incentive application to maximize the incentive, which covered nearly 15 percent of the project cost, resulting in a total incentive of almost $40,000 for the customer.
The customer saw immediate and significant savings on their energy bills and improved operational productivity and employee satisfaction by having a brighter and more comfortable workspace. It’s estimated that the payback period for this project would be less than three years and the annual energy savings would be over $80,000.
The customer stated they may use the savings generated by this project to do more efficiency projects in the coming years to further improve operations.
Working with a PowerShift energy adviser proved to be a smart and rewarding decision for this customer. By taking advantage of the expertise and incentives offered by Business Energy Services, businesses can achieve energy efficiency, environmental sustainability and economic success.
If you’re unsure where to start in your sustainability journey or if you’re ready to start saving, call 1-800-342-6335, email bes@nvenergy.com, or visit www.NVEnergy.com/bes.
Matt Mareno is a senior engineer for NV Energy Business Energy Services.
