Naperville businesses are going 'Green'
The City of Naperville is encouraging local businesses and multi-family complexes to go green by providing financial incentives through the Greener Business Program.
The program provides financial assistance to business owners interested in making their buildings more energy efficient by awarding matching funds at a rate of 50 cents for every $1 spent towards energy efficiency improvements, up to $10,000 per building.
To date, the city has awarded approximately $190,000 to 21 businesses, religious institutions and multi-family complexes through the program.
Approximately $90,000 in program funding remains and will be awarded to qualified applicants on a first-come, first served basis. At the start of 2011, 12 grantees have completed projects.
Success Stories Abound
Country Square Plaza installed Energy Star furnaces and air conditioning units and upgraded the window systems for greater efficiency in the retail units. The businesses received a $9,900 grant to complete these energy efficient improvements.
Fry Family YMCA received $9,355 in matching grant funds through the Greener Business Program to complete a lighting upgrade. The organization anticipates an annual electric savings of $4,862.
Kroehler Family YMCA completed a lighting upgrade project with the help of $6,080 in matching grant funds and estimates a savings of $3,853 on their electric bill annually.
Metrowest completed a lighting retrofit in the lobby of its office building. The company received a $2,288 matching grant for the retrofit and estimates an annual cost savings of $2,953 as a result of the completed improvements.
Mill Street Properties received a $10,000 grant to install high-efficiency air conditioning systems. This improvement is estimated to save the company approximately $2,304 per year.
NEX-NRM Partnership received a $9,900 grant through the Greener Business Program to install high-efficiency HVAC systems. This energy efficient improvement is estimated to save the partnership nearly $2,217 annually on its electric bill.
North Central College completed several projects, including new windows in a student residence hall and installation of occupancy sensors in the White Activities Hall, Carnegie Hall, Goldspohn Hall, Kroehler Science Center and the Old Main building. The college invested approximately $90,000 in energy efficiency improvements and received a total of $29,999 in matching grant funds through the Greener Business Program. The college anticipates a total costs savings of $96,689 annually on electric and gas utility bills.
Potter's Place will save an estimated $10,000 per year on gas and electric bills following the installation of a new white Energy Star rated roof and insulation. The business owner received $10,000 in matching funds through the Greener Business Program to assist in funding the project.
Sound Incorporated received $10,000 in matching grant funds to replace all 475 of its interior light fixtures with energy efficient LED lamps. This energy efficient improvement is estimated to save the business nearly $4,000 per year on its electric bill.
St. John's Place completed a lighting retrofit in the multi-tenant building's common areas, restrooms, elevators and stairways and replaced exit and emergency light fixtures with the help of a $10,000 grant. The improvements are estimated to save building approximately $28,636 per year.
About the Greener Business Program
Funded through a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the Greener Business Program was created to help buildings reduce their energy consumption and emissions and increase their overall energy efficiency.
Applications for the Greener Business Program are available online at www.naperville.il.us/greenerbusiness.aspx. A printed copy of the Matching Grant Fund application may be obtained at the Transportation, Engineering and Development Business Group, located on the main floor of the Naperville Municipal Center, 400 S. Eagle St.