ESCANABA - Energy audits and energy-efficiency upgrades are a great way for businesses to save money as well as positively impact the environment, said a guest speaker at Escanaba's Economic Summit at city hall Wednesday.

"Energy audits are a great investment because you need to learn, in all these areas, where you can save," said Kevin Cook, president of G-ENERGY and a board member of Michigan Green.

Cook said right now is the "perfect storm of energy" because economics are really important, people are interested in the green movement, and businesses are seeking energy independence.

 

"Energy's going to always be a major issue," he said. "It's a great way to save."

 

Cook said energy audits are a way that businesses - including stores, restaurants, warehouses or industries - can save energy which results in bottom-line savings.

Energy audits can vary from an analysis of a business' utility bills to an in-depth inspection of a facility, detailing energy uses, Cook said.

Energy recommendations include costs, savings and paybacks.

A typical energy-saving measure is switching to energy-efficient lighting, Cook said. Upgrades can be made in heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems. Other measures include building temperature adjustments, water conservation, occupancy sensors, insulation and energy-efficient windows.

In addition to switching to energy-efficient light bulbs, timers are another simple way to save energy, Cook said. Timers can be installed on interior and exterior lights as well as hot water, heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems. Drinking fountains, pop machines and refrigerators used during the day can also be fitted with timers to save energy, he said.

"It's tough to beat energy efficiency as an investment for your business," Cook said.

City Manager Jim O'Toole said Escanaba is having energy audits done on lighting in five city buildings. Twenty-five homes in Escanaba have been retrofitted with energy-efficient lights and timers as part of a program to track savings, he added. In the fall, the city plans to conduct a similar program for large commercial users of energy, he said.

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By Jenny Lancour
POSTED: February 21, 2008
Jenny Lancour, (906) 786-2021, ext. 143, jlancour@dailypress.net