Consumers Energy
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., March 17, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — Consumers Energy is encouraging businesses from the Indiana line to the Upper Peninsula to save energy by sponsoring the West Michigan Battle of the Buildings, a friendly competition that will run through the rest of this year.
Battle of the Buildings
“The Battle of the Buildings is a natural extension of Consumers Energy’s work every day to help commercial businesses to reduce their energy usage. This will save them money they can pass on to customers and put more Michigan residents to work,” said Garrick Rochow, vice president of customer operations and quality for Consumers Energy.
“Already, this competition has drawn considerable interest, with businesses representing more than 8 million square feet of space pledging to compete.”
The Battle of the Buildings is organized by the U.S. Green Building Council West Michigan and is also sponsored by Grand Rapids-based Hurst Mechanical.
Commercial Energy Helps
Commercial buildings in 49 counties are eligible to compete, and registration will continue through March 31. The buildings that reduce energy use by the greatest percentage by year’s end will be honored at an energy summit in 2015.
Consumers Energy helps Michigan homes and businesses manage energy usage through a variety of energy efficiency programs. They can take advantage of more than 200 money-saving rebates, and they have saved more than $575 million since Consumers Energy’s first energy efficiency programs started in 2009.
Why Commercial Energy Efficiency Matters
Commercial energy efficiency does more than lower a monthly utility bill. In fact, it can strengthen an entire business. Companies that reduce wasted electricity and natural gas can cut operating costs. Therefore, they can redirect that money toward employees, equipment, expansion, and other investments.
Moreover, commercial buildings represent a major opportunity for energy savings. Lighting, heating, cooling, ventilation, refrigeration, and office equipment can consume significant amounts of energy every day. However, businesses can reduce that demand through smarter equipment and better building management.
For example, companies can upgrade to efficient lighting. They can improve insulation and HVAC systems. In addition, programmable controls and energy-management systems can reduce consumption when buildings are empty. Even relatively simple improvements can add up across a large commercial property.
Michigan Businesses Turn Efficiency Into Savings
Consumers Energy’s programs showed why these improvements mattered financially. By the time of the original 2014 report, Michigan homes and businesses had already saved more than $575 million through energy-efficiency programs launched in 2009.
Furthermore, more than 200 money-saving rebates were available to customers at the time. As a result, businesses had another incentive to replace inefficient equipment and reduce unnecessary energy consumption.
The Battle of the Buildings added competition to that equation. Businesses representing more than 8 million square feet had already pledged to participate. Therefore, energy efficiency became more than an environmental goal. It became a measurable business challenge.
Ultimately, every kilowatt-hour that a company avoids using represents energy it does not have to purchase. Meanwhile, efficient buildings can reduce operating expenses while supporting a cleaner energy system. That’s why commercial energy efficiency remains one of the most practical places for businesses to start.
About
Consumers Energy, Michigan’s largest utility, is the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy (NYSE: CMS), providing natural gas and electricity to 6.5 million of the state’s 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.
SOURCE Consumers Energy
