A look at how energy efficiency helps Vermont businesses run more profitably

Dan Mellinger is an engineer and Business Energy Services Planning and Development Manager and Paul Lambert is a Business Development Territory Manager, both with Efficiency Vermont.

send in a question of your own  

Q: I recently returned to Vermont to take over the bed-and-breakfast that my mother ran for years before retiring. When I opened the first electric bill, I could hardly believe how high it was. I don't want to arbitrarily replace old appliances if they're not the problem. How do I figure out an effective solution?

- HH, Washington County, Vermont
  (Posted February 24, 2010)

A:

Dan: High-bill causes and solutions can vary greatly from building to building. In a B&B, it makes sense to manage the energy impact of the many plugged-in items (lights, TVs, window air conditioners, appliances, etc.) in guest rooms, common areas, and kitchens. A good approach is to first identify the biggest electricity users. With that information, you can then determine ways to lower your energy use while continuing to deliver the level of service that your guests expect.

Paul: There's a simple way to start, with a meter that you can borrow, at no cost, from Efficiency Vermont. Just plug equipment into the meter and plug the meter into a standard wall outlet. Then, call Efficiency Vermont with your results and one of our customer-service reps will help you determine the best energy-saving actions to take. While you're on the phone, ask about rebates available for the purchase of energy-efficient equipment.

Dan: B&Bs also might have electrical equipment, like hot tubs or water pumps, that dont use a standard wall outlet and, so, aren?t designed to be used with the meter we've discussed. Yet, they can be typical culprits in high bills. I suggest that you speak with your suppliers or contractors about how best to maintain and operate such equipment for optimal efficiency. These steps may both reduce energy costs and extend the life of the equipment. Also, if you have an electric water heater, stove, heating system, or clothes dryer, it's worth asking your equipment supplier if a switch to non-electrically-powered models would be a cost-effective investment.

Paul: Even before your borrowed meter arrives, there are actions you can take to start lowering your electric costs. For example, use compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) in place of incandescents and you'll save as much as 75% on the lighting part of your electric bills. You'll save even more by installing occupancy sensors that automatically turn off lights in empty rooms. If you strive to maintain a certain historic ambience in your B&B, you may be glad to know that CFLs come in a variety of styles and sizes that can inconspicuously fit in a range of fixtures.

Dan: You also can reduce energy costs by simply turning off coffee makers, computers, copiers, and other office equipment overnight. If you have a lounge with a TV and home-entertainment electronics, like game consoles, you've got equipment that uses power even when off. The amount of electricity that these products use, around the clock, can really add up. To stop this constant drain on your budget, you can plug all those devices into a power strip that your guests can switch off when they're through enjoying the equipment. Better yet, get an advanced power strip that automatically cuts power to any idle equipment you like.

Paul: To borrow a meter, either fill out a simple online form or call Efficiency Vermont, toll-free, at 888-921-5990. Good luck getting to the bottom of the causes of your high bills and all the best taking over the family business.