SCE&G program brings big savings to small businesses
March 2, 2016
Columbia’s Pecknel Music sees results of energy-efficient lighting upgrade
Small businesses are seeing the results of SCE&G’s Small Business Energy Solutions Program to help them better manage energy costs. Launched in late 2014, this turnkey program provides incentives of up to 80 percent of the cost of energy-efficient upgrades of lighting and refrigeration.
Pecknel Music of Columbia last year completed a successful lighting upgrade through the program. Having been in the same building since 1969, manager Paul Morgan said the business was looking at a lighting upgrade both for energy-savings and aesthetic reasons.
As a showroom for musical instruments, Pecknel’s front windows are tinted to protect the instruments from sun damage. The tinting can create a dimming effect, and old incandescent light bulbs weren’t helping to adequately light the retail or repair spaces. Morgan also said the business could stand to benefit from saving money on energy bills. Having heard there might be a program to help offset the cost of lighting upgrades, Morgan called SCE&G to learn more about options to save energy at his business.
“After I got a proposal, I talked to the company owner and it was a no brainer,” Morgan said. “The proposal was clear, listing the lighting upgrades by room, and it was very smooth. And the contractors who did the work were great. We have a retail store, and they worked it out so they were not in places where customers were going to be during busy times.”
The total cost of Pecknel’s lighting upgrades was $4,460, with SCE&G covering $3,303 of that amount. Morgan said his company is on track to get a return on its portion of the investment in the seven-month period estimated in the proposal. He’s already looking at ways to invest the savings back into the business, such as other interior upgrades or new inventory.
“Any savings that we can put back into the company helps,” Morgan said. “If the money’s not going out to pay a utility bill, we can put it back into something that’s more profitable to us. I would definitely recommend this to other small businesses.”
Key Features of SCE&G’s Small Business Energy Solutions Program
- Free on-site energy analysis of lighting or refrigeration usage.
- Simple, cost-effective options and easy-to-follow recommendations to help manage lighting or refrigeration-related expenses.
- Financial incentives that cover up to 80 percent (not to exceed $4,000) of the total cost of most lighting or refrigeration retrofit projects.
- Fast return on investment.
- Local contractors to perform the work at the convenience of the business.
- Removal and environmentally friendly disposal of old fluorescent lamps and ballasts.
Eligibility and Getting Started
The program is available to SCE&G’s small business and small nonprofit customers with five or fewer SCE&G electric accounts and an annual energy use of 250,000 kWh or less. To inquire about participation contact SCE&G’s program contractors:
- For lighting services, call Facility Solutions Group at 843-323-4245.
- For refrigeration services, call National Resource Management at 800-377-5439 x117.
Program administrators will use local contractors throughout the service area. SCE&G also offers the EnergyWise for Your Business Program, which provides incentives for energy-efficient equipment installations, including other lighting and HVAC upgrades to commercial, industrial, institutional, and government customers of any size. To learn more general information about these programs call 877-784-7234 or visit www.sceg.com/smallbusiness.
About SCE&G
South Carolina Electric & Gas Company is a regulated public utility engaged in the generation, transmission, distribution and sale of electricity to approximately 698,000 customers in 24 counties in the central, southern and southwestern portions of South Carolina. The company also provides natural gas service to approximately 347,000 customers in 38 counties in the state.
