A cheque presentation on March 20 by Centre Wellington (CW) Hydro at the A.O. Smith Enterprises Ltd. headquarters and distribution facility in Fergus showcased how the saveONenergy retrofit program makes it possible for commercial organizations to install and benefit from newer, more energy-efficient solutions that will help businesses operate more efficiently and improve their bottom line.
The program offers incentives for high-efficiency equipment such as lighting, motors and heating and control systems to improve the overall efficiency of commercial buildings.
Eligible companies can receive incentives worth up to 50 per cent of project costs.
Offered by CW Hydro, with support from the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO), the program is one of several initiatives that represent the province’s new conservation-first framework, which is designed to reduce electricity consumption in Ontario by seven terawatt-hours between 2015 and 2020.
A.O. Smith is one of several commercial organizations in Ontario that have benefitted from the programs offered under saveONenergy for business. Through participation in the retrofit program, working with CW Hydro, A.O. Smith received a saveONenergy incentive of more than $176,000 to upgrade its lighting system in its warehouse facility.
The project consisted of replacing old, inefficient, high-intensity discharge and fluorescent lighting fixtures in its warehouse and administration building with energy-efficient fluorescent lighting fixtures. The facilities’ exterior lighting was upgraded with LED technology. The upgrades have reduced the facility’s annual energy consumption by roughly 943,000 kWh a year, which translates to approximately $100,000 in yearly savings.
Rob Henderson, A.O. Smith’s Canadian Operations Manager added, “A. O. Smith Enterprises Ltd. appreciates having the opportunity to participate in the saveONenergy retrofit program. This has proven to be a very successful project with significant financial savings as well as a 16% reduction in our carbon footprint. Projects such as this contribute to our ongoing efforts to remain competitive in a global market while minimizing our impact on the environment. The 130 employees of the Fergus facility ship residential and commercial water heaters daily to customers throughout Canada.”
In a separate release Doug Sherwood, president-secretary, Centre Wellington Hydro Ltd. stated, “We are pleased to have assisted A.O. Smith with implementing the saveONenergy retrofit program. Enabling a customer to reduce costs and conserve energy is a benefit to our customer, our community and Ontario.”
“Energy conservation is everybody’s responsibility, and Centre Wellington Hydro is providing the leadership we need,” said Wellington-Halton Hills MPP Ted Arnott. “By using less electricity, we can save money, reduce our demand on the electricity system as a whole, and help to protect the environment. A.O. Smith in Fergus is doing its part.”
Terry Young, vice-president, conservation and corporate relations for the Independent Electricity System Operator stated, “Local businesses like A.O. Smith are benefiting from saveONenergy to conserve energy and reduce costs. There are simple things that businesses across Ontario can do that will help make a difference. I commend A.O. Smith for taking advantage of this program.”
For more information or to apply for the program or other saveONenergy business initiatives, visit Centre Wellington Hydro’s website at http://www.cwhydro.ca/Energy.asp or contact Khaled Hamel, roving energy manager, Khamel@checenergy.ca, 416-452-5800.
