The Companion Animal Foundation decided to undergoe retrofits for a few different reasons. The company wanted to upgrade the quality of lighting throughout the building. As a community serving organization, lowering the carbon dioxide emissions of the building was also a plus. In fact, when asked why the Companion Animal Foundation had the retrofits done, Marty Massey (store manager) replied, "To make the store brighter and more green...". The Companion Animal Foundation trys to conserve energy whenever possible. Besides a normal heating system, a few desk lamps, and other minor appliances, keeping the building lit during hours of opperation is the only
The Companion Animal Foundation decided to undergoe retrofits for a few different reasons. The company wanted to upgrade the quality of lighting throughout the building. As a community serving organization, lowering the carbon dioxide emissions of the building was also a plus. In fact, when asked why the Companion Animal Foundation had the retrofits done, Marty Massey (store manager) replied, "To make the store brighter and more green...". The Companion Animal Foundation has always strived to conserve energy whenever possible. Besides a normal heating system, a few desk lamps, and other minor appliances, keeping the building lit during hours of opperation is the only use of energy. The hours of opperation for the Companion Animal Foundation have not change over the last few years. Therefore, there energy consumption habits have remained relatively constant.
The new lighting is not only energy efficient but noticably brighter as well. ('''CT6)'''. When asked why they got it done, store manager Marty Massey replied, “To make the store brighter and more green...” Marty went on to state that they would try and do more with the RCEA in the future if more retrofiting was ever needed.She also said the they were “Extremely satisfied...” with their experience with the RCEA.'''<br>'''
Although the estimates that the Redwood Coast Energy Authority had made for reductions in spending, energy use, and carbon dioxide emissions have not yet been met (Table 3), Marty said that the Companion Animal Foundation was "Extremely satisfied with their experience with RCEA". She feels that each of the companies reasons for getting involved with the retrofit were worth while. She went on to mention that "We would be happy to do more with the RCEA in the future if more retrofiting was ever needed. Dollars, air, and cats were saved". '''<br>'''
The Redwood Coast Energy Authority offered many local businesses an opportunity to achieve higher energy efficiency. By tracking a company's energy use through an audit, the Redwood Coast Energy Authority was able to propose achievable savings in carbon dioxide emissions, energy usage, and dollars. The Redwood Coast Energy Authority recommended to each business a particular set of retrofits that would help them to reach these savings. The Companion Animal Foundation (Figure 1) is one of many businesses that accepted the offer. This page will describe the different aspects that contributed to the Companion Animal Foundation's decision to work with the Redwood Coast Energy Authority. Also, Information on the retrofits numerous effects to the store are discussed.
About Companion Animal Foundation
Mission Statement
"Companion Animal Foundation's goal is to raise the status of animals by decreasing the pet overpopulation through spay/neuter assistance, education and adoptions. We strive to provide meaningful programs for both youths and adults which increase awareness of the unique relationship we share with our animal friends. Lastly, we seek to work cooperatively with all animal rescue groups as well as the community to find good homes for adoptable animals."The Companion Animal Foundation(CAF)
The Companion Animal Foundation is a non-profit organization. In order to implement care for animals, appropriate funding is needed. Therefore, the Companion Animal Foundation takes advantage of any opportunity to save money or raise funding. The Redwood Coast Energy Authority brought about an opportunity to the foundation's attention that might not only save the company money through energy efficiency, but raise sales as well.
Thrift store
When first entering The Companion Animal Foundation, one may not immediately be aware of just how involved with animals this company really is. Over 75% of the space available for this establishment is used as a thrift store (Figure 2). The thrift store sells just about anything; from DVDs and books, to clothing and jewelry. This revenue is paramount in the operation of the Companion Animal Foundation; In fact, 100% of the Companion Animal Foundation's sales are for support of their adoption center. The new lighting installed helps brighten up merchandise.
Adoption center
As the Companion Animal Foundation's mission statement implies, animals (particularly cats) are the main focus of this business. Abandoned kittens and stray cats are often brought to the Companion Animal Foundation. Shelter for these felines helps eliminate the overpopulation of cats locally. The foundation also helps the community by taking potentially adoptable kittens/cats from the county shelter. Unfortuneately, as fast as felines are adopted, new strays and abandoned kittens are brought in. Taking care of animals (no matter how endless of a cycle it may seem) is the Companion Animal Foundations main purpose. There are many costs involved in the process of such care. The Companion Animal Foundation views any monthly savings due to energy efficiency as money that can be used to care for the increasing feline population they support. A short list of some of the costs accrued by the care of each cat is shown below (Table 1). Costs shown are approximations given by the Companion Animal Foundation's store manager.
Before the retrofit, a total of 24 light fixtures lined the ceiling. Each fixture held two 40 watt flourecent bulbs. All 24 fixtures throughout the building were replaced with new fixtures (Figure 4). Two new 32 watt Sylvania Octron Eco florescent bulbs (Figure 5) were installed into each fixture. A total of 48 bulbs were replaced. A layout of the lighting set up is displayed in a diagram (Figure 6) of the Companion Animal Foundation's interior.
Data
Table 2. Costs and energy usage (before/after)
Type Data
Before Retrofits (6 month average December 2007 to May 2008)
After Retrofits (6 month average December 2008 to May 2009)
Cost per month
$167.63 / month
$158.25/ month
KWH usage
1086.67 KWH / month
998.5 KWH / month
Table 3. Savings and reductions (RCEA estimates/actual)
Type data
RCEA estimates
Actual Changes
Dollars saved
$43.84 / month
$9.38 / month
Energy consumption reductions
282.08 KWH / month
88.17 KWH / month
CO2 Emission reductions
146.66 lbs. / month
45.84 lbs. / month
Conclusion
The Companion Animal Foundation decided to undergoe retrofits for a few different reasons. The company wanted to upgrade the quality of lighting throughout the building. As a community serving organization, lowering the carbon dioxide emissions of the building was also a plus. In fact, when asked why the Companion Animal Foundation had the retrofits done, Marty Massey (store manager) replied, "To make the store brighter and more green...". The Companion Animal Foundation has always strived to conserve energy whenever possible. Besides a normal heating system, a few desk lamps, and other minor appliances, keeping the building lit during hours of opperation is the only use of energy. The hours of opperation for the Companion Animal Foundation have not change over the last few years. Therefore, there energy consumption habits have remained relatively constant.
Although the estimates that the Redwood Coast Energy Authority had made for reductions in spending, energy use, and carbon dioxide emissions have not yet been met (Table 3), Marty said that the Companion Animal Foundation was "Extremely satisfied with their experience with RCEA". She feels that each of the companies reasons for getting involved with the retrofit were worth while. She went on to mention that "We would be happy to do more with the RCEA in the future if more retrofiting was ever needed. Dollars, air, and cats were saved".
