The Bennington Area Chamber of Commerce is teaming up with Efficiency Vermont to implement a new program to help small businesses save energy and money, the Business Energy Ambassadors program. Under this program, trained volunteers will conduct on-site ‘business energy visits’ to identify opportunities for helping small businesses save energy (and money!), with a primary focus on lighting, which can also increase the customer appeal of retail and office spaces. The Bennington Area Chamber of Commerce will work with those businesses that can benefit from the limited-time and enhanced financial incentives currently being offered by Efficiency Vermont.
‘Efficiency Vermont is offering significant rebates right now for replacing inefficient lighting and other equipment, and we want to make sure that Vermont’s small businesses take full advantage of this program,’ said Bill Bowman, Director, Customer Support & Development at Efficiency Vermont. ‘For example, under our new LIGHT program, Efficiency Vermont will cover a significant portion of the equipment cost for replacing inefficient T12 fluorescent lighting.’
T12 fluorescent lamps are common in many businesses throughout Vermont. They are usually 4 or 8 foot long tubes mounted horizontally in a ceiling fixture and are always 1.5 inches in diameter.
Under the Business Energy Ambassador program, volunteers will also provide information to businesses and property owners on other steps they can take to pursue energy saving opportunities and on how to access Efficiency Vermont’s rebates. Business energy visits are free-of-charge and last approximately 1 ‘ 1 ½ hours.
‘In today’s economy, small businesses really have to look for savings wherever they can find them,’ said Joann Erenhouse, Bennington Area Chamber of Chamber of Commerce. ‘We are pleased to be able to co-sponsor this program with Efficiency Vermont to help our members and other small businesses in our region save energy and money.’
If you are a small business and interested in having a business energy visit scheduled, or you are interested in serving as a volunteer, please contact: Joann Erenhouse, 802-447-3311, [email protected].