New energy program in Oregon targets efficient, comfortable

A new program from Energy Trust of Oregon Inc. aims to keep large commercial buildings operating as efficiently as possible.

Just because you set your system up to work right in the beginning doesn't mean it's working right 10 years later, said Jan Schaeffer, communications and marketing director at Energy Trust.

The Building Tune-up and Operations program provides financial incentives for boiler tune-ups and whole-building tune-ups and retrocommissioning - both of which are expected to lower operational costs, extend equipment life and improve tenant comfort, said Spencer Moersfelder, project manager for Energy Trust.

Annually, Energy Trust expects to save 300,000 therms of natural gas and 6,700,000 kilowatt hours of electricity through the program.

A qualified network of trade ally contractors will work with the group to perform boiler tune-ups. Incentives are available for three consecutive years, with Energy Trust picking up most of the cost. Eligible buildings must be on a commercial NW Natural rate schedule, and the boiler must be between 300 MBH and 12,000 MBH.

Technical assistance and financial incentives are available for building tune-up or retrocommissioning. Tune-ups focus on adjusting heating and cooling systems, lighting systems and controls for peak performance. The retrocommissioning process brings a technical consultant in to determine the energy saving potential of the building and to implement specific electricity and natural gas saving measures.

What building owners pay for tune-ups and retrocommissioning depends on what's needed, Schaeffer said. Energy Trust picks up the cost for the initial diagnosis. The cost of a more detailed assessment will be split with the owners; for an even more detailed study, the owner contribution will be about half. For efficiency measures that are easily implemented, quick fixes will be paid for by Energy Trust; for other measures, Energy Trust will pay a portion of the cost based on kilowatts or therms saved. The group will also pay a portion of a service contract that will ensure continued efficiency. Retrocommissioning can save up to 10 percent of electricity consumption and up to 15 percent of natural gas consumption annually, Moersfelder said.

For more information about the program, visit www.energytrust.org/ bto or call 1-866-368-7878.

Copyright 2005 Dolan Media Newswires
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved.