Several Hoffman Estates businesses try energy savings program
These days, there is a lot of talk about energy conservation and green projects. Hoffman Estates is participating in a ComEd Energy Challenge program to encourage its business community to adopt energy efficient products and programs and save money in the process.
Due to the village's participation, ComEd has set aside approximately $100,000 to assist Hoffman Estates businesses with energy efficiency projects through the ComEd Smart Ideas program.
Some Hoffman Estates businesses are already acting "green" and have taken advantage of Smart Ideas, which offers up to one third of the costs for business energy saving activities.
One participant, Claire's Boutiques on Central Road, distributes products to nine states from a 372,000-square-foot distribution center that used high energy consumption halogen light bulbs.
They replaced those bulbs with more energy-efficient T-8s. The cost was approximately $84,000, but it will save $37,000/year in energy costs. In addition, the ComEd Smart Ideas energy efficiency business incentive program paid for $36,800 of the new light bulb costs.
When the environmental impact of a reduced carbon footprint is represented in common terms, it becomes easier to see how much of a difference one company can make. If more businesses take similar action, there can be a significant improvement in Hoffman Estates alone.
Claire's environmental impact - O2 reduction, 369 tons/year; SO2 reduction, 106 tons/year; NOX reduction, 0.8 tons/year - is equal to 69 acres of trees planted, 61 cars removed from the road, 31,220 gallons of gas saved and 743 barrels of oil saved.
Plote Construction of Hoffman Estates initiated a lighting replacement program in three of their shops at a replacement cost of $27,263. The Smart Ideas incentive totaled $7,386, reducing Plote Construction's investment to $19,877. After applying an analysis of dollars saved by the electric reduction, the simple calculated return on investment was just over 11 months.
BoschRexroth in Hoffman Estates' Prairie Stone Business Park is considering a similar energy saving program in January 2010.
No matter where they come from, incentives are a key motivator for residents and businesses to reduce energy consumption. Residents can also participate in the ComEd Challenge by visiting the Smart Ideas for Home page at comed.com.
ComEd's Smart Ideas energy conservation incentive program can be reviewed at comed.com/bizincentives.
At this time, funding assistance is still available to Hoffman Estates businesses. If you decide to pursue these incentives, make sure to mention to ComEd that you are located in Hoffman Estates.