Media Releases
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OCT 20, 2008
Local Hydro Companies Team Up to Deliver Energy Savings to Small Business Customers
Waterloo Region, Ontario – October 20, 2008 - Starting today, small businesses in Cambridge, Kitchener and Waterloo may be eligible to receive up to $1,000 worth of free energy-saving products and services through the Power Savings Blitz; a program offered by Cambridge and North Dumfries Hydro, Kitchener-Wilmot Hydro and Waterloo North Hydro in partnership with the Ontario Power Authority. The program is designed to help local businesses save money on electricity costs and support the province’s conservation goals.
“I am thrilled that we are partnering with these utilities as part of this brand new campaign,” said John Grotheer, President of Cambridge and North Dumfries Hydro Inc. “The Power Saving Blitz was designed with the small business in mind - it will help local businesses save money and maintain their competitive edge, while benefiting the environment simultaneously through reduced energy use.”
Over the next few weeks representatives from Cambridge and North Dumfries Hydro, Kitchener-Wilmot Hydro and Waterloo North Hydro will introduce the Power Savings Blitz. All eligible businesses will be offered a free energy audit that will identify energy efficiency upgrade opportunities. A limited number of qualifying businesses that agree to proceed with the upgrades will each receive up to $1,000 worth of energy efficient improvements, free of charge.
“Don’t let the simplicity of this program fool you – it will make a significant difference in electricity consumption,” said Jerry Van Ooteghem, President of Kitchener-Wilmot Hydro. “By exchanging old, energy wasting lighting systems for more efficient products, a business can substantially reduce its electricity usage and help the environment, while at the same time maintaining or improving lighting quality due to new technologies.”
The Power Savings Blitz is focused largely on upgrades to lighting systems. The older fluorescent tube lights typically found in stores and businesses are much less efficient than newer lighting technology. Existing fixtures can often be retrofit with new electronic ballasts and energy-saving tube lighting that uses about one-third less electricity.
“Although the cost of lighting is not a major concern for each independent small business owner, the amount of energy used by the small business sector in this area is considerable,” said Rene Gatien, President of Waterloo North Hydro. “By reducing the amount of energy each company uses, we can reduce their monthly bills, while at the same time working toward a solution for reducing energy consumption and protecting the environment.”
The Power Saving Blitz program is also being run in Guelph by Guelph Hydro and in the Stratford area by Festival Hydro.
To SIGN UP for the Power Savings Blitz program:
VISIT: www.powersavingsblitz.ca
CONTACT: 1-866-932-8283 or information@powersavingsblitz.ca
