Business Beat
Locals business participate in LIPA'S energy saving program

Several Amityville businesses are reducing energy consumption and harmful CO2 emissions by simply changing light bulbs. Lang's Shoe Store and Self Image Salon are two local participants in LIPA's Retrofit Energy and Capacity Program (RECAP). The initiative is designed to help reduce energy costs by having smaller, more energy efficient lights installed. By participating, business owners are saving on lighting costs and are helping to reduce strain on the power grid. The bulbs installed through the RECAP program use 75 percent less energy than standard models, decreasing harmful greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, because the light bulbs do not throw as much heat as the bulbs they replaced, air conditioners do not have to work as hard. Lower a/c output further cuts energy consumption.

Lang's Shoe Store, a 2,000 sq. ft. independent retailer, signed up for RECAP last year. Since then, the store is saving between $200 and $300 a month on its energy bills. Conservation Services Group (CSG), the firm that implemented the retrofit for Lang's, changed nearly 80 fixtures throughout the store in just one day. Since the installation, Manager Eddie Igartua has noticed an improvement in the overall aesthetics of the store. He said, "The lighting is evenly distributed and customers have commented on how nice and bright it is here."

Self Image Salon Owner Tom Urraro has also noticed improved lighting and lower energy bills as a result of RECAP, implemented in Sept. 2006. CSG changed out several sconces and high hats which are lasting significantly longer than the other models. According to Urraro, he was was changing 30 burned out bulbs a month. Urraro said, "We are open a lot of hours here to meet the needs of our customers. As a result, our power bills have always been quite high. Now, we're saving thirty to thirty-five percent on our energy bills. Not only that, I haven't changed a bulb in two to three months!"

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, a compact fluorescent bulb lasts ten times longer than a standard model. Also, because the bulbs are a lot cooler, Urraro says he has only been using one air conditioner, cutting energy usage even more.

According to Steven Miller, RECAP program director for CSG, more than 500 businesses have signed up for the program since it was launched last year. He said, "Reducing energy bills is a top priority for Long Islanders. Through the RECAP program, we have been able to help many different types of businesses achieve maximum energy efficiency. We hope that many more take advantage of this program, particularly as the hot weather is here and energy usage increases."

CSG is a national energy services firm with an office in Ronkonkoma. The Long Island office serves customers in Suffolk and Nassau counties and in the Rockaway area of New York. To learn more about RECAP, contact CSG's Ronkonkoma office at 631-590- 5700 or visit www.lipower.org/cei/recap.html.

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