RCEA energy audit reviews/Richard E Benoit DDS: Difference between revisions

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Introduction to Redwood Coast Energy Authority

"The Redwood Coast Energy Authority’s (RCEA) purpose is to develop and implement sustainable energy initiatives that reduce energy demand, increase energy efficiency, and advance the use of clean, efficient and renewable resources available in the region"(RCEA website).

Business Summary

Richard E Benoit's, DDS general dentistry practice is located in Northern Arcata, CA. He has been working in this location for the past twenty years. Richard is the primary dentist in the office, but he does share the space with an oral surgeon for one day a week. This building is in use from approximately six a.m. to five p.m. Monday through Friday. They do not leave their lights on at night, and they actually turn off the breakers at the end of the day.

Site and Retrofit Description

Richard E Benoit, DDS had all of his office lighting changed from incandescent to compact florescent bulbs. The initial survey was done on February 19th, 2008 by Redwood Coast Energy Authority (RCEA). There were approximately 25 bulbs replaced along with their ballasts, to a more efficient energy star model. For each fixture, besides those in the waiting room, the amount of bulbs were reduced from four to two. The contractor for this project was Nate Mckeever of Mckeever Energy and Electric. The building housing Richard Benoit's practice is an 109 year old Victorian home.

Client Interview

What follows is a paraphrased interview with Richard E Benoit, DDS:

Andrew: Did you significantly change how you light your business after the retrofit?

Richard: No, we haven't changed our lighting practices since the retrofit. We have always been trying to be frugal with our energy usage. We turn off our breakers at night.

A: Why did you decide to do the lighting upgrade?

R: RCEA contacted me, and I felt that it would be the best thing for me to do.

A: Would you have completed the retrofit without RCEA?

R: No, I probably would not have done this retrofit without RCEA.

A: Are you interested in doing more retrofits in the future?

R: Yes, I am interested in doing more retrofits. I am interested in solar water heating as well as other solar energy generating retrofits.

A: Are you satisfied with the work that RCEA did for your business?

R: Yes, I am very happy with what they did. They were very professional and clean. This is important because this is a health care facility. They finished the project in one day.

A: What is the most energy intensive aspect of your business?

R: Our suction systems and compressors use a lot of energy. Also, our sterilizer uses a great deal of energy. We have a steam sterilizer.

A: Are there more energy efficient machines and methods used in the dentistry field?

R: Waste is a really big part of health care. There are many one time use products that are used in dentistry. There are green companies, but there is a problem when using these green products. We have to find a balance between ethics, serving our patients and environmental responsibility.

Jake: Did you get any compliments about the more energy effiecient lights in the waiting room or office?

R: No, we haven't had any compliments on the new flourescent lights.

J: Do you have a preference between the warm and cool bulbs?

R: In our office we need the light to be as close to natural sunlight as possible, since we do shade matching for teeth.

Energy Savings

Data Analysis

• RCEA estimated a $501.63 savings from April 2008 to April 2009.

The actual savings was $174.86, this averages to $14.57 per month.

• RCEA projected the simple payback on the installment would be 1.0 years.

After review of the savings, the estimated simple packback time will be 2.9 years.

• The estimated energy savings was 3,008 KWH per year.

The actual energy savings was 1,023 KWH per year.

• RCEA projected a CO2 reduction of 1,686 lbs per year.

In the months of April 2008 to April 2009, the actual CO2 reduction was 536 lbs.

Data Collected Before Retrofit

Data Collected After Retrofit

Accumulated Savings Throughout the Year

Conclusions

To summarize we would have to say that this was a successful business interaction between RCEA and Richard E Benoit, DDS. Even though the projected energy savings were high there was still a significant energy saving with the retrofits. There could be several reasons for the overestimated savings, such as increased energy cost for the second year, but it is not clear why the projected savings were not made.

References and Related Information

In order to complete this site we used the information provided for us from the RCEA and our personal interview with Richard E Benoit, DDS.

This page was completed by Jake Moore, Bobby Voeks and Andrew Collins-Anderson