VAUGHAN, Ontario, June 21, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Small business customers in PowerStream's service territory, 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 approved today by the Ontario Energy Board (OEB).
The, soon-to-be-offered, program will be of particular interest to owners of businesses such as variety stores, restaurants, grocery stores or any commercial establishment which has an average kilowatt demand of less than 250 kW and utilizes refrigeration equipment.
The program will provide eligible business customers with a comprehensive electricity audit and assessment of existing equipment, resulting in a customized "Energy Action Plan" for their facility. The audit report will also provide an energy benchmark of that facility and a detailed list of recommendations with a focus on their refrigeration equipment. The program also includes up to $2,500.00 of energy efficient products installed free of charge.
PowerStream submitted a comprehensive application to the OEB earlier this year for regulatory approval to proceed. The program, the first of its kind in the province, is expected to be in market for eligible PowerStream customers later this year. Businesses that are interested in the program are encouraged to contact PowerStream at 1-866-337-8089 or saveONenergybusiness@PowerStream.ca to confirm eligibility and to be placed on the priority waiting list as limited funding is available for the program.
QUOTES
- "PowerStream is committed to working with small business customers and regulators to get the best results for electricity prices, delivery and conservation", said Frank Scarpitti, PowerStream Board Chair and Mayor of the City of Markham. "I want to thank our team for putting together this latest conservation and demand management program, the first of its kind in Ontario, and securing approvals from the OEB."
- "We have spoken to our small business customers and have tried to isolate some of the key components that result in excessive consumption. One key issue that stood out was commercial refrigeration," explained John Sherin, PowerStream's Director, CDM. "The various elements of this program will give participating business owners the tools to help them better understand and manage their electricity costs, thereby reducing overheads and improving their bottom lines".
BACKGROUND
- Facilities with commercial product refrigeration are relatively energy intensive industries 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% for restaurants and 72% for grocers.
- A Board approved CDM program falls outside of the Ontario Power Authority (OPA) roster of programs that are offered province-wide. A Board approved program allows electric utilities to use their innovation, expertise and knowledge of their customer base to develop conservation programs best suited to their customers. PowerStream is the first utility in Ontario to move forward with a Board approved CDM program.
ABOUT POWERSTREAM
PowerStream is a community-owned energy services company, providing power and related solutions to more than 355,000 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.
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