Santee Cooper Launches Business Initiatives in Ongoing “Reduce the Use” Energy Efficiency Campaign
January 4, 2011
Helps Businesses Save Energy and Money
MONCKS CORNER, SC – January 4, 2011 – Santee Cooper today unveiled its “Reduce the Use: Business” campaign, the commercial component of Santee Cooper’s comprehensive, decade-long Reduce the Use program intended to lower the overall use of electricity.
This suite of business initiatives and rebates aims to substantially reduce the use of electricity and improve energy efficiency among its roughly 30,000 business customers in Horry, Georgetown and Berkeley counties by 2020.
“We want to zero in on the high energy users who have the largest potential to save,” said Marc Tye, vice president of conservation and renewable energy. “By helping our business customers adopt more energy efficient technologies and procedures, they can enjoy immediate rebates, long term lower energy consumption and significant monetary savings.
The initial phase of Reduce the Use: Business features the Business Prescriptive Rebate Programs. There are four program areas, all with rebates:
1. Lighting
2. HVAC
3. Building Envelope
4. Commercial Refrigeration
Lighting: Convert inefficient lighting to more energy-efficient lighting (For example: convert T-12 fluorescents to high-efficiency T-8 ballasts and lamps.) Businesses can also install occupancy sensors and day lighting controls.
Rebates: $0.25 per watt saved or avoided for lighting upgrades; $30-$50 per sensor or control depending on the qualifying devices selected.
Studies suggest that 20 to 40 percent or more of the energy used per year for indoor lighting can be saved by installing the latest technology in fixtures, lamps, ballasts and controls.
As part of a Business Prescriptive Rebate lighting pilot program, Horry County School District received a rebate check of $93,400 from Santee Cooper for its installation of occupancy sensors.
HVAC: Includes rooftop, split, unitary, chillers, variable frequency drives for air handlers, quality installation, duct sealing/insulation and heat pump tune-ups.
Rebates: $10 to $75+ per ton, depending on equipment type and efficiency; $100 to $200 per system for quality installation, duct sealing/insulation and heat pump tune-ups.
As part of a Business Prescriptive Rebate HVAC pilot program, St. Stephen Episcopal Church in North Myrtle Beach received a rebate check for $1,450 for its HVAC improvements.
Building Envelope: Rebates for energy-efficient improvements to buildings including ENERGY STAR windows, attic and roof insulation, cool roof and reflective window film.
Rebates: $0.10 to $0.75 per square foot, depending on the measure.
Commercial Refrigeration: Includes ENERGY STAR commercial ice machines, refrigeration equipment and various durable upgrades for existing equipment.
Rebates: $3 to $150 per linear foot for applicable measures, or $5 to $500 per item depending on qualifying upgrade.
Interested business customers are asked to consult their contractor for detailed estimates on rebates, energy-efficient upgrades, installation costs, payback, return on investment and asset valuation.
Additional Reduce the Use: Business initiatives launching later in 2011 include a Custom Rebate initiative and a Retro Commissioning Rebate initiative.
The first year of the comprehensive Reduce the Use program focused mostly on initiatives for residential customers. In that first year, Santee Cooper customers made changes to save 49.4 million kilowatt hours of electricity, enough energy to power 3,700 households per year.
Approved by the board of directors in February of 2009, the $113 million overall campaign encourages Santee Cooper customers to rethink their energy consumption habits and take steps to reduce the amount of electricity they use.
To learn more about all the Reduce the Use programs for residential and business customers, along with energy saving tips and rebate information, visit www.reducetheuse.com.
Santee Cooper
Santee Cooper is South Carolina’s state-owned electric and water utility, and the state’s largest power producer. The ultimate source of electricity for 2 million South Carolinians, Santee Cooper is dedicated to being the state’s leading resource for improving the quality of life for the people of South Carolina. For more information, visit www.santeecooper.com.
