By K.D. Norris
Consumers Energy’s EmPOWERing Kent County package of programs includes efforts to assist businesses big and small to save money on their energy bills. WKTV community media — a small business in some ways — invited Consumers Energy into our studios to see how the program worked.
“Part of this program has been designed with you (small businesses) in mind,” Garrick Rochow, senior vice president of operations at Consumers Energy, recently told a group of business leaders. “The small business programs are driven by our contractors … those contractors will come out to your business, provide an assessment, make some recommendations, break down the costs to you, if any.”
After setting up an appointment through Consumers Energy, an energy advisor paid a visit in early June and took a tour of WKTV’s facility. The end result was an Energy Assessment Report specifically for our business.
The report included recommendations for energy-saving opportunities, a summary of estimated energy and cost savings along with available incentives, and a link to program brochures and rebate applications.
At WKTV, most of the interior lights are already energy efficient LED bulbs, but it was pointed out that every bulb replaced could save about $11.77 annually. (It was also pointed out that rates/savings vary.)
As far as some of the other energy savings opportunities pointed out, the report stated that changing two 250 watt exterior light fixtures with LED could qualify for a $59 rebate and could save $74 a year; and changing out the restroom lights to be motion-sensing (to turn off when not in use) could qualify for $100 rebate and could save $33.61 a year.
The bottom line, with WKTV already being pretty energy efficient, was that we could save about $155 in energy use and qualify for as much as $200 in rebates.
WKTV is probably the best example of savings, however, as we previously reported on one local company, Rishi’s International Beverage, located just across 28th Avenue from Kentwood, which faired much better from the review.
Paul Makkar, Richi’s owner, told WKTV that: “We had many light bulbs and the electric bill was outrageous because we have, like, 600 bulbs — the bill was very high, I was concerned about that.”
The company then applied for an energy assessment and energy savings program through Consumers Energy and “we were given a significant amount of money to change to LED lights. So, the very first month after installing all those lights, we got like a $400 difference every month. … which is like $5,000 per year.”
The final report to WKTV on its recent assessment came in an email with the following:
“Thank you for allowing Consumers Energy to perform an energy assessment at your facility. … (name of contractor) who performed your assessment, has enclosed the findings in the attached report. The values contained in the report provides usage history, savings analysis of items installed during the assessment, and estimated savings and potential rebates for several recommendations. The savings estimates are based on typical usage for your type of facility and average utility rates. Actual savings in your facility will vary based on your hours of operation, business type and actual utility rates. If you choose to move forward with our recommendations, please visit www.ConsumersEnergy.com/StartSaving. On the website you will learn how to find a participating small business contractor, download a rebate application and learn many more ways to save energy. Thank you again for allowing the Consumers Energy Business Energy Efficiency Programs to help you save energy and lower your monthly bills.”
Other services available to small businesses through the EmPOWERing Kent County package of programs were a rate review, to make sure as businesses grow, other more competitive rate options may be available; how to become a supplier to Consumers Energy — which has made a commitment to Michigan-based small businesses as potential suppliers; as well as renewable energy options for businesses.
For more information on the Consumers Energy small business programs, visit comsumersenergy.com or call 800-805-0490.
