Carrollton is saving on energy consumption due to 2005 energy audit

by PegNews wire

Because of a 2005 $1.6 million energy audit, Carrollton is saving $250,000 each year and significantly reducing its energy consumption.

CARROLLTON — Surrounding cities would fair well to follow in the footsteps of Carrollton.

Because of a 2005 $1.6 million energy audit, Carrollton is saving $250,000 each year and significantly reducing its energy consumption. This significant cost savings is possible because of lighting retrofits, energy management systems and various mechanical improvements in many city facilities.

Since the city’s energy consumption is being reduced, air emissions from power generating plants are reduced. While reducing the city’s utility bills, there is a significant secondary environmental impact. The 2,082,000 kwh (electricity) and 3,969 MCF (natural gas) saved annually are reducing the amount of fuel consumed by the power plants providing that energy, which, in turn, reduces the combustion-product emissions from those power plants.

Also, carbon dioxide (CO²) is being reduced annually by approximately 1,564 tons. The 1,564 tons per year reduction in CO² emissions is the equivalent of taking 313 cars off the streets of Carrollton each year, or the equivalent of planting 425 acres of trees.

This project is also saving an estimated 3.9 million gallons of water a year, enough savings to provide water to 33 Carrollton homes for a full year.

Senate Bill 5 goals are to reduce annual energy consumption by five percent each year, and the city of Carrollton is helping achieve that. The initial payback period on the $1.6 million capital improvement project was 8.5 years. Carrollton is exceeding that goal and hopes to pay back this project through energy savings in six years.

Source: City of Carrollton