Rutherford County Energy Conservation Program

1. Rutherford County Energy Conservation Program Jason Ruff Asst. Director of Inspections Shane Dotson Energy Conservation Technician Jerry Stensland Recreational Cultural and Heritage Planner

2. Federal Recovery Program 2009 Federal Energy Funding approx – $4.7 Billion Dollars North Carolina received approx - $76 Million Dollars

3. Where are we now as County Government?

4. The Need for Energy Reduction • Facing an 8.23 % overall budget reduction for fiscal year 2009-10 ($5,121,513) • County expenditure of $498,000 in 2008-09 for utilities • Electricity • Gas – Propane & Natural • Water/Sewer

5. Utility Expense Breakdown 2008

6. Where are we going ?

7. The Birth of the County Energy Program • State Energy Office – Funding available • Offered 2 Building Audits from an outside consultant (Waste Reduction Partners) • Offered Training to a county employee to conduct further audits. • Created the position of Energy Conservation Technician • Building Inspector’s background best suited the position • Given the economic slowdown, the timing fit well into Shane’s position reclassification.

8. Projected savings from Program • 8-10% overall conservative estimate would account for these approximate utility savings • Electricity savings est. 10-12% ($31,781 - $38,137) • Water/ Sewer savings est. 1-2% ($585 - $1170) • Gas savings est. 6-8% ($7,288 - $9717) • Total estimated savings of 8-10% ($39,654 - $49,024)

9. Awareness and Training • The program will require Behavior Modifications and Policy Implementations in all departments • Improved Communication between Departments • State Energy Office – over 150 individual audits statewide, communication breakdown was #1 problem. • 2 Elements critical to the success of the program are: • Communication • Cooperation • Staff Training

10. How will we get there? Shane Dotson

11. Overview of Program Startup • Program Starts July 1st • Initial Audits of all County owned buildings. • Data collection – Utility usage • Introductory meeting for all Dept. Heads • Individual meetings with Dept. Heads or “Energy Teams” in each building.

12. Building Audits • Areas under review during an audit. • Temperature settings on thermostats • Lighting issues • Water/sewer usage and problems • Weatherization issues • Number of computers and related equipment • Non-essential electric appliances

13. Heating and Cooling Issues • Temperature Settings (Recommended by Duke Energy) • When cooling – set at or above 74° • When heating – set at or below 68° • Programmable Thermostats • Work to eliminate all window A/C units • Work with maintenance on efficiency problems

14. Cubicle Kitchen Thermostat above both coffee pot and toaster oven

15. Lighting Issues • When a room will be unoccupied for 15 minutes or more, shut out the light. • Ensure that all lights are out at closing. • Considering occupancy sensors • Exploring re-lamping/ de-lamping • Use CFL’s

16. Water / Sewer Issues • Update fixtures for low flow types. • Consider imposing usage limits on high use areas. • Proposed low use washing machines. • Reduce water heater settings to 105° for hand washing • For each 10° degree reduction – savings of 3-5% of water heater energy consumption. • Repair leaks and drips. • Ex. – 1 drop of hot water every 5 seconds costs annually: • 400 Gal. water • 85 kwh of electricity

17. Weatherization • Keep windows and doors closed when heating or cooling a building • Weather-strip all doors and windows • Update insulation • Repair broken and missing ceiling tiles • Utilize blinds • Consider tint on doors and windows

18. Computers • Computers account for the third largest energy consumption in offices. • Coordinate with IT to reorganize updates and virus scan timing to allow for shutdowns. • Evaluate # of units (computers, printers, copiers…etc)

19. Non-essential Appliances • Unplug rarely used appliances until needed: • Desktop adding machines • Paper shredders • Printers /Copiers • Cell phone chargers • Non-essential personal items not allowed: • Electric space heaters • 1 - 1500 watt space heater-used 8 hrs a day, 5 days a week • Approx. $35 permonth • Candle warmers, fans, digital photo displays, personal coffee pots, personal refrigerators, plug-in air fresheners…etc

20. Non-essential Appliances Mini Refrigerators cost between $80 and $150 dollars a year to operate

21. Non-Essential Appliances Space Heaters cost between $150 and $250 dollars a year to operate per heater

22. Utility Usage per Building • Compile data consisting of past utility histories for each building. • Create spreadsheet for past/future data comparisons to monitor conservation progress. • Will provide quarterly utility use reports to each department or Energy Team. • Will include past data, utility breakdown, and weather report for comparison. • Ex.- Building Inspections and Planning (electric) • May’09 – saved approx 25% over May’07 and May’08

23. Building Inspection and Planning Savings Example • Changed Lighting habits • Changed Thermostat settings • Note: Avg. daily temps for each month were comparable

24. Building Inspection and PlanningSavings Example

25. Energy Teams • Individual Department Head meetings • Develop individual strategies to achieve these goals in each building. • All buildings shall designate a staff person or Energy Team to educate, facilitate meetings, and verify that these policies are being strictly adhered to.  These teams should be chosen and active before August 1st. • Once the team is established and active, each team shall have scheduled an initial meeting with the Energy Conservation Technician by August 15th.

26. Overview of Policies • July 1st • Removal of all non-essential appliances. • Unplug all rarely used appliances. • Set thermostats to specified temperatures. • Implement lighting shutoff practices. • Contact Energy Conservation Technician for guidance.

27. Monitoring and Follow-up • Energy Conservation Technician will be conducting follow-up visits to facilities. • During business hours • After hours / weekends • Audit reports to be forwarded to Directors and Energy Teams for tracking purposes.

28. Planning for the Future of Rutherford County Jerry Stensland

29. Strategic Energy Plan • Building retrofits for energy efficiency • Renewable energy technologies • Waste reduction/Material Conservation • Transportation fleet management • Landfill methane • Construction standards for future county buildings • Partnerships • Public education/outreach

30. Grant Opportunities • Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant ($20 mil. statewide) • Strategic energy plan development/technical assistance • Building retrofits • Renewable technology use • Methane • State Energy Program ($76 mil. statewide) • Revolving loan fund • Government energy efficiency • Promoting commercial & residential energy efficiency

31. Partnerships • Isothermal Community College • Rutherford County Schools • SWEEP • Waste Reduction Partners • Foothills Connect • Municipalities • State Energy Office