JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
As Joint Base Charleston's Energy Manager, Jeff Morgan, has been actively searching for energy savings opportunities for a while now. Replacing outdated or inefficient equipment, such as lighting and HVAC equipment, is just one of several ways to lower energy consumption in our base facilities.
Though there are many projects planned for future energy efficient renovations or equipment change outs, a budget shortage has left several projects waiting for future availability of funding. Being resourceful and looking for new ways to fund projects is a key component of the energy manager's position. So along with his resource efficiency manager, Bruce Miller, Morgan and the base Energy Team contacted SCE&G, the local electric utility provider for Joint Base Charleston - Weapons Station to see if there were any possible opportunities available for energy efficient projects.
Fortunately, SCE&G offers financial incentives for energy efficient projects in renovations, retrofits and new construction applications for commercial customers under SCE&G's EnergyWise® incentive program. This program offers financial incentives and technical assistance to help reduce or offset the cost of energy efficient improvements, regardless of the size or nature of its business customers. Since the program's inception in October 2010, SCE&G has awarded more than $5 million in rebates to hundreds of South Carolina electric business customers. There are several offerings with incentives, including lighting, HVAC equipment, food service and other high-efficiency equipment.
After working with local SCE&G EnergyWise® account managers, the JB Charleston Energy Team completed their first project applied for under the EnergyWise® program in May 2013. This project replaced 101 inefficient conventional hot water heaters in various facilities throughout the JB Charleston - Weapons Station with state-of the-art energy efficient hybrid hot water heaters. The new hot water heaters consume half the energy of the older hot water heaters. Because the hot water heaters are much more energy efficient and provided verifiable savings, they qualified for an incentive of $250 per water heater through the EnergyWise® Program. The incentive check of $25,250 was presented to JB Charleston Commander Col. Richard McComb and the Joint Base Charleston Energy Team at the Energy Management Steering Group meeting June 13.
In addition to the rebate incentive check, this project will reduce electrical consumption and cost by approximately 600,000 kWh and $64,364 annually. The Energy Team has already begun submitting project information for future incentive applications.
If you have ideas for energy saving opportunities, contact the Energy Team at 963-5029 or 764-4478 ext. 13. Working together we can develop your ideas into future projects which may save us money and possibly earn an additional incentive!