Mar 6 2010
Installing high efficiency lighting systems in 40 campus buildings has earned the University of Idaho an Avista energy efficiency incentive check for over $438,000.
Installing the new lighting in the Buchanan Engineering Labs, Administration Building, Student Union Building, Commons and other campus buildings will reduce the university's energy costs by approximately $147,000 a year and save over 2.7 million kilowatt-hours of electricity. That's enough energy to power about 230 homes for a year. In addition to reducing energy usage and costs, the efficiency improvements will enhance lighting quality and reduce maintenance costs.
"The University of Idaho is committed to good stewardship of all of its resources, including energy," said Lloyd Mues, vice president for finance and administration for the University of Idaho. "Through strategic efforts — and the assistance of community partners like Avista — we're pleased to have effective results that benefit not only the university and the taxpayers of our great state, but the environment as well through reduced energy costs and usage."
Avista offers a variety of energy management tools and services for residential, commercial and industrial customers. For over three decades Avista has offered the tariff-based programs because, generally, it costs less to help customers reduce their usage through energy efficiency programs than to acquire additional, more costly energy resources to meet the growing energy needs of customers.
"Making energy efficient upgrades is a smart choice for facility owners wanting to reduce their operating costs while having a positive environmental impact," said Bruce Folsom, Avista's director of energy efficiency. "We congratulate the University of Idaho for their focus on energy efficiency and its long-lasting benefit."
Source: http://www.avistacorp.com