Vermont Public Radio (VPR) has been working to improve the energy consumption at their historic building located in Fort Ethan Allen since 2008. The company started with lighting projects, which yielded far greater savings than they ever imagined: 25,000 kilowatt hours per year, to be exact.
More recently, VPR updated all of its thermostats so they can be controlled through a central computer. This allows the company to create warmer and cooler zones that help to keep the entire building in balance. For example, if you work on the side of the building that gets morning sun, the thermostats there will be set to a lower temperature than on the other side of the building. While the company continues to make tweaks when necessary, in general the building is much more comfortable and efficient. The project saved another 31,000 kilowatt hours per year- roughly $4,000. ‘It also makes my job easier by eliminating calls from employees about the temperature in their area,’joked Laurie Kigonya, Human Resources Supervisor/Facilities Manager for Vermont Public Radio.
As a participant in VBSR’s Business Energy Action challenge, VPR is committed to reducing its energy consumption by 5% per year. However, they are already tracking toward a whopping 30-35% reduction!
In the future, VPR is looking to reduce energy costs at its various tower sites around the state. ‘The towers are huge energy hogs, so we’re looking forward to digging in,’said Kigonya. The organization also hopes to combine efficiency measures with the use of renewables, getting their energy use to zero kilowatt hours.
About VBSR
Founded in 1990, Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility (VBSR) is a non-profit, statewide business trade organization with a mission to advance business ethics that value multiple bottom lines: economic, social, and environmental. VBSR members employ more than 13% of Vermont’s workforce and generate more than 4 billion dollars in revenue annually. We strive to help members set a high standard for protecting the natural, human and economic environments of the state's residents, while remaining profitable. We advance VBSR's mission through education, public influence and workplace quality. www.vbsr.org.
About VPR
Listener-supported Vermont Public Radio has been serving the people of Vermont and the surrounding region since 1977. As Vermont's only statewide public radio network, VPR is a trusted and independent source for news, music, conversation, NPR programming, and much more. The latest news, playlists, schedules, stations, and live streaming are at VPR.net.
Colchester, VT, July 8, 2013’Vermont Public Radio
VPR reinforces community, business leadership with participation in BEA challenge
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