VAUGHAN, CANADA, Sept. 20, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PowerStream business customers, who use commercial refrigeration systems as part of their operation, will be better able to manage their electricity costs thanks to a new Conservation and Demand Management (CDM) program officially launched by the utility Friday at a restaurant in Vaughan.
Marcello's Pizzeria is one of the first PowerStream business customers to participate in the "Business Refrigeration Incentives" program, a CDM initiative that is somewhat unique in that it falls outside of the Ontario Power Authority (OPA) roster of programs currently being offered province-wide and therefore had to be approved by the Ontario Energy Board (OEB).
The program provides eligible business customers several incentives including a comprehensive on-site electricity audit that produces a customized "Energy Action Plan" for refrigeration equipment; an energy benchmark of the facility to understand its energy consumption compared to other businesses of a similar size/operation and up to $2,500 in material, as well as labour, to retrofit their commercial refrigeration equipment.
Eligible PowerStream business customers are those who operate commercial refrigeration equipment including variety stores, restaurants, grocery stores and any other establishment that has an average electricity demand of less than 250 kilowatts.
Interested business owners are encouraged to contact PowerStream's CDM department at 905-532-4633 or saveonenergybusiness@powerstream.ca to confirm eligibility and to be placed on a list, as limited funding is available for the program.
QUOTES
- "The development and implementation of innovative conservation programs is critical to helping Ontario achieve its energy conservation targets," said Energy Minister Bob Chiarelli. "PowerStream has set an example that others are sure to follow with the development of the first OEB-approved conservation program in Ontario."
- "PowerStream is committed to working with business customers to help them improve their bottom line through conservation." said Frank Scarpitti, PowerStream Board Chair and Mayor of the City of Markham. "This innovative CDM program will allow business owners to create positive change that will benefit their own businesses as well as the environment."
BACKGROUND
- Facilities with commercial product refrigeration are relatively energy intensive compared to other commercial businesses. Grocery stores and restaurants typically use about three times the amount of electricity per square foot of retail space compared to offices and other retail businesses. Refrigeration represents the largest single end-use of electricity in these facilities – 50 per cent for restaurants and 72 per cent for grocers.
- An OEB-approved program allows individual electric utilities to utilize knowledge of their customer base and develop conservation programs best suited to their customers. PowerStream is the first utility in Ontario to move forward with an OEB-approved CDM program.
ABOUT POWERSTREAM
PowerStream is a community-owned energy company providing power and related services to more than 360,000 customers residing or owning a business in communities located immediately north of Toronto and in Central Ontario. It is jointly owned by the Cities of Barrie, Markham and Vaughan.
LET'S CONNECT!
eStream – Blog.PowerStream.ca
Twitter – @PowerStreamNews
Facebook – PowerStreamPage
YouTube – PowerStreamTV
LinkedIn – PowerStreamInc