E2America intelligent HVAC system to save Platinum Corral $252K in electricity costs

Platinum Corral will install Efficient Energy America, Inc. (E2America) intelligent HVAC control systems in all 30 of its stores, E2America announced yesterday. The retrofit system will reduce gas and electricity costs, usage and carbon emissions, lowering electricity costs by as much as $252,000 annually.

Approximately half of all energy usage in commercial buildings is related to HVAC. HVAC control optimization technology can help businesses reduce energy consumption and demand. This can help utility executives who are making projections about the future of their grids, including consumption and demand analysis, generation, transmission, rates, etc.

Progress Energy, who is an official Energy Efficiency Trade Ally with E2America, has provided financial incentives to Platinum Corral, making the technology more cost effective. Utilities incentivize customers to install technology and, in return, the customers assign "credits" Renewable Energy Certificates (REC) back to the utility. The RECs are a tradable commodity. For every 10,000 kWh saved through E2 technology, the utility company receives one REC. A utility company, therefore, pays a one-time incentive for the energy-efficient technology and obtains RECs in perpetuity. When a $5,000 incentive can translate into eight RECs per year, it is a good investment for the utility. Energy efficiency is one of the hottest commodities in the world right now and will continue to be in the future.   

Besides obtaining RECs, utilities benefit by helping their customers reduce energy costs. They can also tout their environmental consciousness in the community. E2America's technology is a win-win. The utilities do not have to generate as much electricity, and they obtain RECs. The customers are incentivized to install energy efficient technology and save hundreds of dollars every month on their energy costs, which is bottom-line profit.

The cost of energy is increasing for everyone, including the utility companies.  Utilities need to intelligently use management tools through technology like HVAC control optimization to help ensure the necessary electricity is at the building when someone turns on the light switch. By reducing consumption and demand with HVAC optimization technology, utility companies have a better understanding of how to manage the transmission of electricity on their grid.

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