Goodwill sees major savings with free energy support, coaching
From Energy Trust of Oregon:
As Oregon businesses cope with the continued effects of the pandemic, some are together saving millions and cutting emissions with free help through Energy Trust of Oregon’s Strategic Energy Management (SEM) program. SEM includes support from energy coaches who provide tools and tips on easy ways businesses can save energy and lower their utility bills year over year.
During their year-long engagement, SEM participants learn how their businesses use energy, identify where energy is being wasted, and strategies to cut waste and energy use. Participants come from across the state and from many different industries including community colleges, hotels, hospitals, school districts, municipal governments, and others.
Goodwill Industries of the Columbia Willamette was one of the first retail businesses to join SEM. With 38 of its 52 stores currently enrolled in the program, it has saved more than $373,000 in utility costs since enrolling in 2016, saving $140,000 last year alone. Like all participants, Goodwill is able to reinvest those savings back into the organization and its mission of helping more Oregonians find and keep quality jobs.
“By saving substantial amounts of energy, we’re better serving our employees, customers, and entire communities,” said Mahsha Ahanchian, Strategic Energy Analyst at Goodwill Industries of the Columbia Willamette. “With this work, we’re able to connect more people to employment while also helping reduce our impact on the environment.”
Here are some of the energy-saving changes Goodwill has made across its stores since joining SEM.
Upgraded building control systems to better regulate temperature and to closely monitor energy use across their facilities.
Customized HVAC equipment schedules to match the occupancy of their spaces.
Adjusted both indoor and outdoor lighting based on operating hours and occupancy saving money and increasing security.
Utilized ‘heat maps’ from its utility companies to track down energy-wasting equipment, showing exactly when energy use spikes in their facilities.
Developed new protocol for employees on when to open and close bay doors at donation sites, saving 12% in energy use alone.
Installed new LED lighting which use 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs.
Along with free coaching and support, businesses can also participate in workshops to learn more from experts and meet with other organizations in the SEM program to share insights. Energy Trust also helps businesses build their own internal energy team to engage their own employees to be part of the solution.
Goodwill is working to educate its 2,100 employees on the benefits of energy efficiency through newsletters, informational dashboards, and in-store radio announcements. They also recently created a new position within the organization – a Strategic Energy Analyst – who is leading the effort to make Goodwill’s stores, donations sites and other facilities as energy efficient as possible.
Energy Trust offers organizations cash incentives based on progress from energy management improvements and behavioral changes at sites enrolled in SEM and can help cover the cost of an intern who works on SEM-related activities.
“Businesses are building back from the pandemic, and we can help them become more sustainable and energy-efficient during the process,” said Susan Jowaiszas of Energy Trust of Oregon. “Working together and using these tools and energy-saving strategies allows them to build a better, stronger future.”
