CLEARLAKE — When the going gets tough, the tough get creative. At least that”s what A&B Collision owners Bill Stone and Alvaro Valencia think.
Stone and Valencia are putting their imaginations to work, coming up with any and all possible ways to save their business money during the current economic downturn. They say that A&B Collision is saving money around every turn; so much that the business experienced its most profitable year in 2009.
Stone said the implementation of recycling and reusing plans has saved the business thousands. He said he gets frustrated with business owners who complain about the recession but do nothing to lessen the impacts.
“We made more money last year than we ever had and we are on track to making more money this year than we ever have and it”s because we are doing things to make it happen,” Stone said. “We are trying to do everything we can. If we can”t make more money we are trying to save it.”
Stone said he believes many area business owners can benefit by taking advantage of A&B Collision”s latest effort to reduce expenditures. On Tuesday, a PG&E contracted technician from the Energy Fitness Program (EFP) installed a lighting system projected to save the business about $1,800 annually.
The EFG is a free program supported by Public Purpose Funds, which is a minimal charge found on all customers” energy bills that support public purpose programs. The program assists businesses by providing an energy efficient evaluation by trained energy specialists; retrofitting indoor and outdoor lighting and other measures with energy efficient lamps, fixtures and other components tailored to suit the needs of each customer; and presenting a final Energy Fitness Report that details the retrofit installation measures and savings and highlights additional PG&E programs and rebates available.
Stone said the shop area of A&B Collision was using 400 watt metal haloids. “These new fixtures for the T5 bulbs use more efficient ballasts, which are expected to save us $1,800 a year,” Stone said. “For a business to get free lights, free labor and free fixtures, you can”t beat that. The bulbs for these particular units are $89 apiece.”
Stone said while the lights in the garage area are not used much during the summer due to the availability of natural lighting, he does expect to see a significant savings in the energy bill this winter.
Stone said that other programs have been implemented that are saving the business a significant amount of cash. Recycling and reuse efforts have been increased that he said are saving the business as much as $5,000 a year. “We diverted 140 yards of waste last year,” he said. “That right there saved us $1,620 plus all that waste didn”t make it into the landfill.”
Stone said he has agreements in place with many of his vendors in which packaging materials are either reused or eliminated. He also said the business obtained new equipment that allows for repair of headlights rather than replacement. He said in a recent transaction the savings was passed on to the customer who paid $30 for headlight repair rather than $300 for replacement.
The EFP, which is being offered in effort to reduce energy demand, is available to eligible non-residential customers within Northern and Central California.
Participants” monthly usage demand must not exceed 200 kW. The program is available through Dec. 15, 2012 or until program funds are depleted. Program services and benefits are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
The EFP offers four-foot and eight-foot linear fixtures, high bay fixtures, ENERGY STAR compact fluorescent lamps, LED exit signs or retro kits; occupancy sensors, vending machine controllers, faucet aerators; and additional LED and other cost effective saving measures.
According to PG&E, an enrollment specialist will visit the business and conduct and initial energy assessment to identify and provide small business owners with suggestions on how to save on electric and gas bills. The enrollment specialists will also provide a list of qualified energy efficient measures that may be installed at no cost. Following the initial energy assessment, professional installation specialists will install energy efficient measures at no cost to the business.
For more information regarding the no cost program, visit the Web site at www.energyfitnessprogram.com or call 1-800-929-7633.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com or call her directly at 994-6444, ext. 11.
