Sept. 2017 Newsletter

SEDAC ANNOUNCEMENTS

Apply now for SEDAC services
SEDAC is accepting applications for the following energy efficiency utility programs for public sector clients. 
  • Energy Assessments
  • New Construction Program (deadline is 10/31/2017)
  • Retro-Commissioning, ComEd only (deadline extended to 10/15/2017)
  • HVAC Optimization, ComEd only
Apply now at  apply.sedac.org , give us a call at 800-214-7954, or email us at   info@sedac.org  to discuss the need for services and determine eligibility.

SEDAC also offers quick advice, benchmarking, implementation assistance, and incentive guidance. SEDAC utility programs for public sector clients are funded by Ameren Illinois, ComEd, Nicor Gas, Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas in compliance with Illinois Law. Availability of services varies by utility service provider. 

Register now: "Breaking Down Barriers to Energy Efficiency" Workshop
Do you want to save energy and money but aren't sure how to start or where to direct your efforts? Want to learn more about public sector energy efficiency programs and financing energy efficiency projects? Attend "Breaking Down Barriers to Energy Efficiency," a SEDAC workshop, on behalf of Ameren Illinois, ComEd, Nicor Gas, Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas. Uncover strategies and tools to advance your energy efficiency projects. We'll discuss how to overcome these challenges and give you a chance to interact with experts in the field. Topics include utility public sector energy efficiency programs, SEDAC services, financing energy efficiency, and U.S. EPA resources. Lunch will be served. 

Sept. 20th, 11:30-2 pm
Normal City Hall
11 Uptown Circle, Normal, Illinois 61761
Register  here  

Sept. 27th, 11:30-2 pm
Moraine Valley Community College 
9000 College Pkwy, Palos Hills, IL 60465
Register here 
SEDAC CASE STUDY

Huntley Community School District 158 
As Operations and Maintenance Director of his school district, Doug Renkosik has lots of experience asking the board of education to fund energy efficiency projects. The board has been remarkably supportive, and energy efficiency projects have saved the school district over $660,000 in annual energy costs. 

One reason Doug is so effective is because he knows how to ask for help. He relies on organizations like SEDAC to: 
  • Give him independent, expert advice on how to make his buildings more efficient
  • Provide him with energy cost savings data that he can present to the school board
  • Identify incentives that will help pay for the energy efficiency upgrades. Doug explains, "If you can find a way to fund it, it's an easier sell." 
Huntley High School New Construction and Renovation

Doug participated in SEDAC's New Construction Program when renovating and expanding Huntley High School. SEDAC analyzed design documents, met with the design team, and recommended ways to make the designs even more energy efficient. 

Most of the recommendations consisted of going beyond code in equipment selection and envelope construction. Illinois mandates that all new buildings and major renovations meet current energy code, but going beyond code can lead to substantial additional energy savings. 

SEDAC estimated that the high school would save 442,000 kWh and 23,000 therms annually with the more efficient designs, an annual cost savings of $53,000.  SEDAC also estimated that by following these recommendations, the high school would be eligible for over $200,000 in incentives. 

Using the information that SEDAC provided, Doug returned to the board of education with revised plans for a new, more efficient building. The board could immediately see that it was a good idea and agreed to fund the more efficient designs.

Read the entire Huntley High School case study here. To find out more about SEDAC's New Construction program, see nc.sedac.org. The New Construction program for public sector facilities is funded by ComEd, Nicor Gas, Peoples Gas, and North Shore Gas in compliance with Illinois law. 

Utility Program Energy Efficiency Announcements

Nicor Gas Trade Ally Events
Trade allies: check out the updated Nicor Gas  trade ally website , featuring previous webinars, brochures, program updates, contacts, and a   calendar of events  highlighting upcoming training opportunities.
 
Enroll in one of this month's trainings, including:
  • ACCA Manuals 'J, S, D' Right Sizing of HVAC Systems. Tuesday, September 19 in Sugar Grove
  • 2015 to 2018 IECC Illinois Energy Conservation Code. Multiple dates and locations available - see the calendar for details
Ameren Illinois
The Ameren Illinois Energy Efficiency Program has recently increased many natural gas incentives to help offset a larger portion of project costs.  In addition, public sector customers are eligible for a 15% incentive bonus on  projects with final paperwork submitted by November 30, 2017. For more information on these increased incentives and the public sector bonus, please visit  AmerenIllinoisSavings.com/Public or call 866-800-0747.

Municipal Street Lighting Incentives
Incentives are available for upgrading municipally-owned street lights to LEDs for municipalities in the Ameren Illinois and ComEd service territories. Elevate Energy offers free  technical assistance to help with project planning and incentive applications.  To be eligible for the incentive, LED lights must be DesignLights Consortium certified  and projects must be completed and final paperwork submitted by  December 31, 2017 . Visit the following links for more information about your utility's street light incentives: 
Or contact the Elevate Energy Program Coordinator,  Mary Jo Warskow, at  maryjo.warskow@elevateenergy.org  or 773-922-3018. 
Metropolitan Mayors Caucus Public Sector Energy Efficiency Program (PSEE)
Funding is available! The Metropolitan Mayors Caucus Public Sector Energy Efficiency Program (PSEE) provides funding and technical assistance to help local governments update and retrofit public facilities and/or streetlights to improve energy efficiency and save money. Project support and technical assistance is free. 

Municipalities, park districts, libraries, schools, townships, and other local governments throughout the ComEd, Nicor Gas, Peoples Gas, and North Shore Gas service areas are invited to participate. This program will end December 31, 2017. 

Click  here  to apply. For more information, please contact Brian Tomkins atbtomkins@mayorscaucus.org    or 312-201-4508 or visit their website.

Building Operator Certification
Time is running out to sign up for a Building Operator Certification (BOC) training this fall!  With a combination of hands-on and classroom training, BOC delivers immediate results and long-term savings that benefit operators, owners and occupants.

BOC is ideal for anyone working with the mechanical systems of large commercial or institutional buildings, around 50,000 square feet or larger.  Join over 20,000 graduates nationwide and sign up for a training today; training schedules and more information can be found on BOCcentral.org . Customers of Ameren Illinois, ComEd, Nicor Gas, Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas can receive a $500 tuition reimbursement after completion. Full scholarships available for veterans.  

SEDAC is an applied research center at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign,  
providing technical assistance and performing research to reduce energy consumption. SEDAC also provides energy efficiency services to Illinois public sector agencies through the utility energy efficiency programs.  

sedac.org / 800-214-7954 / info@sedac.org
Providing effective energy strategies for buildings and communities