Energy savings audits in works

The Small Business Development Center at Jefferson Community College is starting a new energy savings program for small businesses.

The program includes a subsidy for half of the cost of an energy audit and advice on what improvements to make.

Sarah C. O'Connell, business adviser for the center, said the center has had a client go through the audit already, and several others have been interested in audits.

"Utility bills have been going up so much in the last several years," she said. "This is another way to save money in the long term and improve cash flow."

The program is part of a statewide initiative by the Small Business Development Centers. The state's centers will pay for half the cost of energy audits done by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority for the first 100 clients' businesses that register. Businesses that spend up to $75,000 per year on electricity qualify.

The program begins with a training session on energy savings, audits and state programs, to be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. July 16 at JCC.

Gerald K. Loch, energy use and financial management community educator for Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson County, is certified by NYSERDA to conduct energy audits. He will explain the energy audit process and basics about lighting, heat and construction.

"Any business can benefit from an audit," he said. "Some benefit more; some benefit less."

He said the audit gives a comprehensive look at the building as a system and energy usage patterns. The audit produces a 20- to 30-page report that gives conservation measures, possible savings in kilowatt usage and money, and looks at potential incentives the owner could receive from making recommended improvements.

"The report that people get can serve as a long-term solution for energy conservation," Mr. Loch said.

At the Watertown center, a business adviser will analyze the audit's suggested improvements with the business owner to find the greatest savings.

"We'll work with them and help them get financing to do more of the energy-saving recommendations," Ms. O'Connell said.

She said there are local and state options for financing larger projects.

Through NYSERDA, the audit fee is refunded if businesses, nonprofit agencies or municipalities implement improvements that cost the same as, or more than, the audit fee. The registration fee for an entity that spends up to $25,000 annually on electricity is $100; for an entity that spends $25,000 to $75,000 annually on electricity, the fee is $400.

Small-business owners do not need to own their buildings as long as they have permission to make the changes.

There are small things that any business can do, Ms. O'Connell said, including changing to compact fluorescent lights and installing programmable thermostats.

The free program requires registration by July 15. For more information or to register, call the center at 782-9262 or e-mail sbdc@sunyjefferson.edu.