Small businesses in Koots FLIP over savings
By Contributor
More than 1,300 small businesses in the Okanagan and Kootenays are reaping big savings on their electricity bills thanks to a $6.85 million lighting installation program sponsored by the Province of British Columbia and FortisBC.
“Small businesses in the Okanagan and Kootenays wanted a program that would make saving energy both easy and cost effective, and in partnership with FortisBC, we delivered,” said Kelowna-Mission MLA Steve Thomson. “Over 1,300 small businesses had energy-efficient lighting installed and are now saving more than $800 a year on their bills.”
‘FLIP’, the FortisBC/LiveSmartBC Lighting Installation Program, offers eligible small businesses direct installation of up to $5,500 in energy-efficient equipment at virtually no cost, including lamps, occupancy sensors and controls.To date the program has saved more than 8,779,928 kWh, enough electricity to power approximately 700 homes per year.
“I was surprised about the immediate and long-term savings that I’ll achieve for my business through FLIP,” said Greg Smith of Kelowna Physiotherapy Associates. “So far I’ve saved hundreds of dollars in energy costs, allowing me to invest more in my business and less on my electricity bills.”
When business-owners register for FLIP, a FortisBC-approved contractor performs a lighting audit on their business, identifies potential upgrades, and schedules a licensed electrician to install the equipment and systems.
“FLIP has been a great, success story because the program has been designed to make it easy for small businesses to participate without having to worry about the time and the cost of making the upgrades,” said Tom Loski, vice president, customer service, FortisBC. “By understanding the needs of small businesses we can continue to invest in energy conservation programs, helping them realize the benefits of making energy efficient improvements.”
The FLIP program is available to privately-owned commercial businesses with an electricity bill that is less than $20,000 in the preceding 12 months. Businesses must be within the FortisBC service area or a municipal electric customer of Grand Forks, Kelowna, Penticton, Summerland and Nelson Hydro or located in West Kelowna, Lake Country Peachland, Central and East Kootenays (Slocan Valley, Cranbrook, Fernie, Kimberly and Invermere).
For more information about the FortisBC/LiveSmart Lighting Installation Program, call 1-866-932-8283 or email flip@fortisbc.com. For more energy efficiency tips visit fortisbc.com or call toll free at 1-866-436-7847.
For more information on the LiveSmart BC Small Business Program – visit http://www.livesmartbc.ca/green_business/index.htm
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