Little City’s Energy Efficiency Improvements to Reduce Organization’s Utility Bills by $36,000
Palatine, IL (PRWEB) November 24, 2014 -- Comprehensive lighting upgrades at Little City’s 22-building, 56-acre Palatine campus will save the nonprofit organization $36,000 annually on utility bills, a reduction of nearly 20 percent. The upgrades are made possible through Elevate Energy’s free efficiency services, ComEd’s Smart Ideas for Your Business® rebates, and a grant from Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation. The organization is now planning to make additional improvements to an HVAC system in 2015, which will further reduce the foundation’s gas and electricity costs.
“Saving tens of thousands of dollars yearly is huge for us,” said Shawn Jeffers, Little City’s executive director. “We can use that money to continue to improve the programming and supportive services offered to our clients and their families. We are grateful to ComEd, the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation, and Elevate Energy for their support.”
Little City works to ensure that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities have options and opportunities, providing comprehensive services, including supportive housing, employment counseling, recreation, health, art, foster care, and adoption. The facilities are in use around-the-clock, which results in high energy use and expenses.
Beginning in 2013 with a free energy assessment of all 22 buildings, Little City worked with Elevate Energy to identify cost-effective energy efficiency improvements across the campus. Elevate Energy recommended energy efficient lighting upgrades for all facilities and worked with Little City to develop a phased plan for additional improvements that worked within the organization’s budget and timeframe.
Elevate Energy connected Little City to resources to help offset the cost of the first phase of improvements. This included rebates from ComEd’s Smart Ideas for Your Business® program and a grant from the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation. Together, these resources reduced the initial project price tag by nearly 65 percent.
Little City now expects an annual electrical savings of $36,000 and an 18 percent reduction in energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. The organization can devote the savings toward its mission and services.
The second phase of improvements is slated for 2015. Once again, the team at Elevate Energy will assist Little City with finding all available funding options to help offset the cost of the improvements and reduce future operating costs.
About Little City
Our mission is to provide children and adults with autism and other intellectual and developmental disabilities the best options and opportunities to live safely, work productively, explore creatively and learn continuously throughout their lifetime. At Little City, there is no finish line. Our goal is to make tomorrow better than today. The only constant is our desire to change and improve. We do so by continually making great strides to further enrich the lives of those we serve and help them flourish. The organization has a 56-acre campus in Palatine and offices in Schaumburg and Chicago. Visit http://www.littlecity.org.
About Elevate Energy
Elevate Energy’s mission is to deliver smarter energy use for all. Elevate designs and implements efficiency programs that lower costs, protect the environment, and ensure the benefits of energy efficiency reach those who need them most. Elevate partners with nonprofit organizations, such as childcare centers and houses of worship, across Illinois to cut utility and maintenance costs. The organization’s full-service efficiency program helps organizations improve their facilities and operations in order to maximize energy and water efficiency. Expert building analysts assist building owners and managers throughout the process, from assessing the facility and recommending the most cost-effective improvements, to leveraging funding sources and overseeing construction. For more information, please visit http://www.elevateenergy.org.
About Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation
The Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation (ICECF) exists to improve energy efficiency, advance the development of renewable energy resources, and protect natural areas for people in communities all across Illinois. For more information regarding the foundation’s grant programs, eligibility, and application process, visit http://www.illinoiscleanenergy.org/.
About ComEd’s Smart Ideas for Your Business®
ComEd’s Smart Ideas for Your Business® energy efficiency program provides financial incentives and technical assistance to ComEd customers to help them become more sustainable. Since the creation of ComEd’s Smart Ideas for Your Business energy efficiency program in 2008, ComEd estimates area businesses have saved more than $320 million in electricity costs and reduced their energy usage by more than 4.2 billion kWh. The result of this clean energy initiative is equivalent to energizing 465,000 homes for one entire year. For more information please visit https://www.comed.com/business-savings/pages/default.aspx.
Terry Braune, Little City, http://www.littlecity.org, +1 (847) 221-7831, [email protected]
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