As a non-profit human services organization, The Connection in New Haven knows that cost savings can mean the difference between helping a few people or many more in need. Operating a facility for 24 hours a day, seven days a week can be costly and any increased efficiencies can make a major impact.
The Connection has made a commitment to improve efficiency and reduce operating costs within their programs, allowing them to improve the overall environment for the hundreds of residential clients in their care. The Connection has successfully completed other energy conservation projects with the generous support of the Neighborhood Assistance Act.
Recent LED lighting upgrades decreased energy use by approximately 219,508 kilowatts per hour, equating to about $39,511 in annual energy savings. The upgrades were made possible through guidance and support from United Illuminating (UI), a subsidiary of AVANGRID, Inc., who helped identify the most suitable Energize Connecticut initiatives available. This project has an estimated payback time of approximately 1.7 years.
“Getting nearly 40 percent of the project cost with a payback of less than two years made this a win/win venture for us,” said The Connection Facilities Director Lou Rogowski. “The level of professionalism with UI has been outstanding and has significantly reduce our utility and maintenance costs.”
Rogowski said, “The Connection’s mission is to build safe, healthy, caring communities and inspire people to reach their full potential as productive and valued citizens. Many of the people the agency serves are our communities’ most vulnerable individuals.” The overall cost savings The Connection will see because of these energy upgrades will allow them to focus more time and money to the important work done for those individuals they care for.
The Connection has participated in various upgrades in the past, including the installation of building automation systems, cogeneration plants, new windows and high efficiency boilers in their largest New Haven facility. Due to the success of their other upgrade projects, The Connection will be partnering with UI for an LED retrofit on a 13,000 square-foot office at 900 Chapel Street, also in New Haven. All together, the organization rents and owns around 50 locations throughout the state and plans are already in the works for more energy upgrades projects for those facilities as well.
“It’s fantastic to see our clients complete these projects, realize a serious savings in annual energy costs and return to seek out other upgrade opportunities for additional savings,” said Donna Wells, Director of Energy Services at UI. “We are here to help non-profits like The Connection find these energy initiatives that work for them and make these projects financially feasible for their limited budgets.”
About The Connection Inc.
The Connection is a Connecticut-based nonprofit human services and community development agency that partners with individuals and their families to provide the needed resources to improve their lives. Each month thousands throughout Connecticut are assisted by The Connection’s diverse behavioral health, family support, and community justice programs. These programs reunite families, break the generational cycles of abuse and neglect, and create safer, healthier communities. For information about The Connection, please visit www.theconnectioninc.org or call our Toll-free Helpline: (855) Help955 or (855) 435-7955.
About Energize Connecticut
Energize Connecticut helps you save money and use clean energy. It is an initiative of the State of Connecticut, the Connecticut Green Bank, Eversource, UI, SCG and CNG, with funding from a charge on customer energy bills. Information on energy-saving programs can be found at EnergizeCT.com or by calling 877.WISE.USE.
About United Illuminating
United Illuminating (UI) is a subsidiary of AVANGRID, Inc. (NYSE: AGR). Established in 1899, UI is engaged in the purchase, transmission, distribution and sale of electricity and related services to approximately 333,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in the greater New Haven and Bridgeport areas of Connecticut. For more information, visit www.uinet.com.