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Utility offers free installation of energy-saving devices
Spokane-based Avista Corp. reports that its small-business program, having already saved enough energy in its first six months to power 100 homes for one year, is well on its way toward a much larger conservation goal that will help its entire service community.
Through this latest initiative, Avista consults with small-business owners within its service territoiy to pinpoint updates that can be made to conserve energy, and then provides and installs those new energy efficiency measures free of charge.
Chris Drake, Avista energyefficiency program manager, says the program is planned to last for two years, but possibly could be expanded depending on feedback from participating - businesses.
"Our overall goal is to achieve energy savings, and interact more with our customers," says Drake. "We want to reinforce what kinds of opportunities are available, particularly for small businesses."
Drake says the program begins by sending field representatives out on door-to-door visits, during which they walk through each business and identify areas where energy can be saved.
"These are usually smaller companies, with limited staff dedicated to energy management or energy saving programs," says Drake. "They may just be leasing the building, or perhaps lack time or capital to invest in these kinds of improvements."
Representatives can install a variety of devices on the spot, which are said to make noticeable impacts in reducing energy consumption. These include light-emitting diode (LED) light bulbs, "smart" power strips, faucet aerators, low-flow showerheads, and pre-rinse spray valves. They also provide motionsensing devices for soda machines and coolers that put displays into sleep mode when there is no motion around the machine. Known as vendingmisers and coolingmisers, these devices also maintain temperatures to keep stored merchandise fresh while the machine is not in use.
The devices being installed by the program range in application, with some being designed mostly to conserve power and others saving both water and energy.
"After a while, our representatives come to recognize which devices may...