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Hermitage – An Energy Efficiency Success Story

Mark Klaus, MRWA EPA Water Training Specialist

This former Energy Efficiency Circuit Rider worked with many great utilities over a brief period. The following article provides an example of how effectively the program can work and the potential savings associated with an energy assessment. Loyd Rawlings is the MRWA Energy Efficiency Circuit Rider as this article is written, and I have moved to another position with MRWA.

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The city of Hermitage recently participated in the Missouri Rural Water Association’s Energy Efficiency program. City personnel used the assessment report, supplementing existing energy conservation efforts. Several items discovered during the assessment visit were quickly addressed, providing immediate savings. Rebates minimized expenses for equipment upgrades.

Compliments to the Hermitage personnel, your efforts are exemplary. The Hermitage team consists of Public Works Director Joe Mandina; City Clerk Melody Molder; City Utility Specialists Lake Shelton and Wayne Simmons.

A December 2020 visit outlined the requirements for an assessment. An assessment requires twelve months of energy billing for each utility location, with other community properties often included in the effort. Our conversation noted energy conservation projects implemented by the city. An appointment for an assessment was made. Melody Molder, the City Clerk, provided the electrical billing records.

The locational billing information was entered into a database. This spreadsheet provides detailed information concerning energy usage, energy charges, peak energy demand charges, meter fees, and other miscellaneous expenses. Charted data indicated locations with minimal energy usage, providing a great start for the locational visit. The spreadsheet noted elevated seasonal energy usage at community buildings, well houses, and self-contained lift stations.

Pictured l to r: Wayne Simmons, Lake Shelton, Joe Mandina

City Clerk Melody Molder

Joe shared a morning with me, visiting the sites associated with billing data. We documented opportunities for savings at these locations. Existing energy conservation efforts were acknowledged, including LED lighting upgrades and newer HVAC units.

Several suggestions noted during this visit were promptly addressed, providing immediate results.

In January 2021, a written report was provided to city representatives Melody and Joe. The document detailed energy efficiency activities listing estimated energy reduction, associated savings, project costs, the payback period, and potential rebates. The payback period is the amount of time required to pay for the upgrades – using savings from the energy reduction to repay the initial purchase costs.

(continued from page 23) Several on-site visits were conducted in the following months. Each outing portrayed exceptional results obtained by the Hermitage team. A follow-up assessment was conducted six months after the initial report in July 2021. The items listed below designate the city’s energy conservation efforts.

Operational changes at the wastewater reclamation facility saved 2,100 kilowatt hours and $464 over a seven-month period when comparing bills from 2019 and 2021.

The city requested the electric company remove meters at three locations with minimal energy use. This action eliminated $22.69 in monthly meter fees at each location, providing a combined annual savings of $816.

City personnel upgraded fluorescent lighting in city hall to LED lighting. Two LED light tubes replaced the four T8 fluorescent bulbs in each of the twelve lighting fixtures at city hall. The savings obtained from this project exceeded the estimation in the assessment! Joe completed and submitted the rebate application for the lighting upgrade at city hall. The city received a rebate check covering nearly all the LED lighting purchase price. The report listed a four-year payback period, but the actual payback period occurred within months of installation.

Exterior lighting at the new city shop was replaced with solar powered LED lighting. Solar lighting provides greater savings when compared to the LED fixtures noted in the assessment. Kudos for expanding the scope of the project for greater savings.

As a winter project, the city will upgrade existing fluorescent lighting with LED in the community center and new city shop. This lighting project optimizes savings with rebates and installation by city personnel.

Hermitage is collaborating with a local contractor to replace the old air conditioning and heating units at city hall and the community center. Rebates will reduce the project cost. The equipment was ordered, but the COVID pandemic has delayed delivery. Compliments to the city of Hermitage on their energy conservation projects.

If your utility is interested in saving money through energy conservation, please contact Loyd Rawlings, MRWA Energy Efficiency Circuit Rider for an energy assessment today.

You can find his contact info by visiting: www.moruralwater.org/mrwa-staff/

NATIONAL RURAL WATER ASSOCIATION AFFINITY PARTNER

FLEET

Program

• The National Rural Water Association has created partnerships with motor groups to offer discounts to State Rural Water Associations and their utility system members. • Member utilities should contact their State Rural Water Association to access the Rural Water Fleet Program.

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