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Expert: Businesses, homes could save 30 percent on energy saving measures
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Posted on Jan 06 2009
By following the example of others who have been successful in cutting their expenses by using cost-efficient energy systems, island residents and businesses could save up to 30 percent on their utility bills, according to an energy expert.
“Smart energy solutions should focus on how to make power at a lower cost to us. A 30 percent reduction is very possible if we know how to do it properly,” said Casey C. Conner, chief executive officer of Conner Inc.
Conner, the guest speaker at yesterday’s Rotary Club of Saipan at the Hyatt Regency, spoke of ways on how the CNMI could cope with the power outages and rising cost of fuel and utilities.
He advised hotels to use cost-saving measures such as LED lighting products, which must be installed in bedrooms and restrooms. When the lights go off, these LED lighting will glow and automatically produce navigational lights.
In this way, he said, there is no need for switching these on.
He also advised the use of electric fans from time to time, rather than relying on air conditioning units all the time.
As an example, Conner cited the Century Hotel along Middle Road, which he said has been successful in saving a lot of money by installing energy saving heaters and other measures.
Conner said the hotel reported a savings of $5,000 a month after implementing such cost-saving methods.
He also cited the new building of the Commonwealth Health Center, where lighting and other systems are controlled by computers through sensors that are installed around the building.
“Better design of the building is the main explanation for this. There is a lot of insulation in there,” he said.
Conner said they saw a huge reduction in energy cost at the new building, from $2 to nine cents per square foot.
He said technology is moving forward to help reduce costs and everyone should save a great deal when applying the benefits of solar energy.
