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Pastor Michael Coutts likes the new energy efficient lighting because it is cleaner and brighter...and saves money.
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From Energy Watch Skeptic to Believer
When Pastor Michael Coutts was contacted by the San Mateo County Energy Watch program about upgrading the lighting at Hillside Church of God in South San Francisco, he was skeptical. Would the proposed energy efficient lights really be brighter and help save money on their electric bill?
But after meeting with Energy Efficiency Specialist Derek Avery, Coutts said: "All my concerns were immediately resolved. The entire process was completed quickly and professionally. Our facilities have a much brighter and cleaner look. We are very satisfied with the results, and I highly recommend the Energy Watch program."
Do you know of a congregation or other non-profit organization in San Mateo County that would like a free energy assessment from Energy Watch? Contact us today!
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The following individuals (left to right) helped make the completion of these projects possible: Brad Donohue - Deputy Public Works Director, Lori Burns - HR Manager, Kathy Lavezzo - PG&E Senior Account Executive, Mayor Helen Fisicaro, Brent Patera - PG&E Sales Manager, and Paul Leow - Ecology Action Senior Energy Efficiency Specialist. Other valuable contributors were Richard Napier - C/CAG Executive Director and ABI Contractors.
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Colma Received Over $13,000 in Rebates for Energy Efficiency Projects
On June 8th, the Town of Colma received a rebate check from PG&E in the amount of $13,175 made possible through the PG&E and San Mateo County Energy Watch energy efficiency partnership program.
This check represents:
- 6 successful lighting retrofit projects with
- 32,509 kWh annual saving which is approximately
- $6,075 in energy savings and over
- 45,447 lbs. of greenhouse gas emissions avoided annually.
The greenhouse gas reductions amounts to one of the following environmental equivalents:
- 5 homes removed from the grid -OR-
- 4 cars removed from the road -OR-
- 6 acres of trees planted -OR-
- 8 airplane trips averted.
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New bi-level lighting in Redwood City's Jefferson Street Parking Garage improves visibility and safety.
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Redwood City's Jefferson Parking Garage Increased Efficiency and Safety
SMC Energy Watch retrofitted the lighting at the City of Redwood City's Jefferson parking garage in early 2010. Located at 850 Jefferson Avenue, the 2-story, 3,200-square feet Jefferson garage serves Redwood City's downtown area, including restaurants, shops, and a movie theater.
Energy Watch replaced the garage's existing 225 metal halide lights with more efficient T8 fluorescent lamps. SMC Energy Watch also used bi-level fixtures, which maintain a constant low light level for visibility and safety, but then switch to full-light output when a motion sensor detects occupancy. Bi-level fixtures are an excellent solution for areas that need minimal but constant lighting over long periods of time.
The new lighting also improved visibility and safety - two very important issues in a 24-hour parking garage. Redwood City's staff appreciated the convenience of Energy Watch's Energy Watch's turnkey, direct-install lighting program: Energy Watch audited the garage's lighting, recommended the new lighting solution and managed the contractors and installation.
City of Redwood City Facilities Manager Daniel Burton is pleased: "The SMC Energy Watch program provided a turnkey project with minimal City Staff time required to implement it. From inception to completion, the team was focused on the best selection of products and methods to ensure a great ROI and wonderful finished product for the City of Redwood City. I highly recommend the SMC Energy Watch Program and encourage others to participate in this excellent opportunity. The excellent rebate on this project resulted in a payback of less than one year and an annual savings of over $50,000 for the taxpayers of Redwood City."
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At Puente, every dollar they save on their energy bill allows them to do something somewhere else.
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Puente de la Costa Sur: A non-profit that helps others accepts help, too
Like other non-profit staff, Kerry Lobel was wary of taking on yet another project to her full plate of responsibilities. However, Energy Watch was different.
"One of the things I really appreciated about Energy Watch was that the staff were very good about taking most of the responsibility for getting it done. For an executive director, it was really easy. I wish all of the projects that we did were as easy as this one."
We make it easy by handling much of the project management- we use pre-selected, trusted contractors and complete the rebate paperwork. Puente de la Costa Sur is now saving 100-150 dollars a month, with those savings going directly to "buy food for hungry people, toys for children who wouldn't have toys, and pencils and pens for our homework club."
As Kerry found out, sometimes non-profits are so focused on helping others that they neglect their own physical properties. With our free energy assessments and report to get you started, Energy Watch is here to help.