Jason RuffAsst. Director of Inspections

Shane DotsonEnergy Conservation Technician

Jerry StenslandRecreational Cultural and Heritage Planner

• Federal Energy Funding approx – • $4.7 Billion Dollars• North Carolina received approx - • $76 Million Dollars

The Need for Energy ReductionFacing an 8.23 % overall budget reduction

for fiscal year 2009-10 ($5,121,513)County expenditure of $498,000 in 2008-09

for utilitiesElectricityGas – Propane & NaturalWater/Sewer

Utility Expense Breakdown 2008

The Birth of the County Energy ProgramState Energy Office – Funding available

Offered 2 Building Audits from an outside consultant (Waste Reduction Partners)

Offered Training to a county employee to conduct further audits.

Created the position of Energy Conservation TechnicianBuilding Inspector’s background best suited the

positionGiven the economic slowdown, the timing fit well

into Shane’s position reclassification.

Projected savings from Program8-10% overall conservative estimate would

account for these approximate utility savingsElectricity savings est. 10-12% ($31,781 - $38,137)Water/ Sewer savings est. 1-2% ($585 - $1170)Gas savings est. 6-8% ($7,288 - $9717)

Total estimated savings of 8-10% ($39,654 - $49,024)

Awareness and TrainingThe program will require Behavior Modifications

and Policy Implementations in all departmentsImproved Communication between Departments

State Energy Office – over 150 individual audits statewide, communication breakdown was #1 problem.

2 Elements critical to the success of the program are:

CommunicationCooperationStaff Training

Shane Dotson

Overview of Program Startup

Program Starts July 1st Initial Audits of all County owned buildings.Data collection – Utility usageIntroductory meeting for all Dept. HeadsIndividual meetings with Dept. Heads or

“Energy Teams” in each building.

Building AuditsAreas under review during an audit.

Temperature settings on thermostatsLighting issuesWater/sewer usage and problemsWeatherization issuesNumber of computers and related equipmentNon-essential electric appliances

Heating and Cooling Issues

Temperature Settings (Recommended by Duke Energy)When cooling – set at or above 74° When heating – set at or below 68°

Programmable ThermostatsWork to eliminate all window A/C unitsWork with maintenance on efficiency problems

Cubicle Kitchen

Thermostat above both coffee pot and toaster oven

Lighting Issues

When a room will be unoccupied for 15 minutes or more, shut out the light.

Ensure that all lights are out at closing. Considering occupancy sensorsExploring re-lamping/ de-lampingUse CFL’s

Water / Sewer IssuesUpdate fixtures for low flow types.Consider imposing usage limits on high use areas.Proposed low use washing machines.Reduce water heater settings to 105° for hand

washingFor each 10° degree reduction – savings of 3-5% of

water heater energy consumption.Repair leaks and drips.

Ex. – 1 drop of hot water every 5 seconds costs annually: 400 Gal. water 85 kwh of electricity

WeatherizationKeep windows and doors closed when

heating or cooling a buildingWeather-strip all doors and windowsUpdate insulationRepair broken and missing ceiling tilesUtilize blindsConsider tint on doors and windows

ComputersComputers account for the third

largest energy consumption in offices.Coordinate with IT to reorganize

updates and virus scan timing to allow for shutdowns.

Evaluate # of units (computers, printers, copiers…etc)

Non-essential AppliancesUnplug rarely used appliances until needed:

Desktop adding machinesPaper shreddersPrinters /CopiersCell phone chargers

Non-essential personal items not allowed:Electric space heaters

1 - 1500 watt space heater-used 8 hrs a day, 5 days a week Approx. $35 per month

Candle warmers, fans, digital photo displays, personal coffee pots, personal refrigerators, plug-in air fresheners…etc

Non-essential Appliances

Mini Refrigerators cost between $80 and $150 dollars a year to operate

Non-Essential Appliances

Space Heaters cost between $150 and $250 dollars a year to operate per heater

Utility Usage per BuildingCompile data consisting of past utility histories

for each building.Create spreadsheet for past/future data

comparisons to monitor conservation progress.Will provide quarterly utility use reports to each

department or Energy Team.Will include past data, utility breakdown, and

weather report for comparison.Ex.- Building Inspections and Planning (electric)

May’09 – saved approx 25% over May’07 and May’08

Building Inspection and Planning Savings ExampleChanged Lighting habitsChanged Thermostat settings

Note: Avg. daily temps for each month were comparable

May 2007

May 2008

May 2009

kwh used 3130 3032 2213

Avg. cost per day $10.39 $10.04 $7.92

Amount due $311.18 $300.86 $236.48

Building Inspection and PlanningSavings Example

June 2007 June 2008 June 2009

kwh used 4267 4834 3156

Avg. cost per day

$12.98 $13.38 $9.55

Amount due $387.71 413.43 $324.48

Energy TeamsIndividual Department Head meetings

Develop individual strategies to achieve these goals in each building.

All buildings shall designate a staff person or Energy Team to educate, facilitate meetings, and verify that these policies are being strictly adhered to.  These teams should be chosen and active before August 1st.

Once the team is established and active, each team shall have scheduled an initial meeting with the Energy Conservation Technician by August 15th.

Overview of PoliciesJuly 1st

Removal of all non-essential appliances.Unplug all rarely used appliances.Set thermostats to specified temperatures.Implement lighting shutoff practices.Contact Energy Conservation Technician for

guidance.

Monitoring and Follow-upEnergy Conservation Technician will be

conducting follow-up visits to facilities.During business hoursAfter hours / weekends

Audit reports to be forwarded to Directors and Energy Teams for tracking purposes.

Jerry Stensland

Strategic Energy PlanBuilding retrofits for energy efficiencyRenewable energy technologiesWaste reduction/Material ConservationTransportation fleet managementLandfill methaneConstruction standards for future county

buildingsPartnershipsPublic education/outreach

Grant OpportunitiesEnergy Efficiency and Conservation Block

Grant ($20 mil. statewide)Strategic energy plan development/technical assistanceBuilding retrofitsRenewable technology useMethane

State Energy Program ($76 mil. statewide)Revolving loan fundGovernment energy efficiencyPromoting commercial & residential energy efficiency

PartnershipsIsothermal Community CollegeRutherford County SchoolsSWEEPWaste Reduction PartnersFoothills ConnectMunicipalitiesState Energy Office