PEORIA, Ill., Jan. 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Ameren Illinois Utilities today presented the Canton Family YMCA with an Act On Energy(TM) incentive check in the amount of $24,416.10 for their newly completed high- efficiency lighting project.
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"We commend the Canton Family YMCA for implementing this electric energy high-efficiency lighting upgrade. This project reflects a true commitment to the community of Canton," said Cheryl Miller the Act On Energy(TM) business program manager.
Energy efficiency incentives are now available to the Ameren Illinois Utilities (AmerenCILCO, AmerenCIPS and AmerenIP) business customers. These customers may now submit applications for Program Year One incentive funds for electric energy efficiency projects that must be completed before May 31, 2009.
Miller presented the incentive check to Don Heller, who has served as the executive director of the Canton Family YMCA for over 27 years. The Canton Family YMCA has been serving the Canton community for 119 years. The Canton Family YMCA is committed to enhancing the well being of youth, adults, seniors and families through quality programs and facilities.
The Canton Family YMCA project consisted of a complete overhaul of the lighting system by Budget Lighting Incorporated, Burlington, Iowa. By upgrading their old fixtures to new high-efficiency models, the Canton Family YMCA has been able to reduce their energy demand with fewer fixtures while providing more light. Previously, the Canton Family YMCA had 448 light fixtures that required a total of 120,142 watts. The new lighting system uses 424 light fixtures and only 54,240 watts.
This reduction in energy allowed the Canton Family YMCA to reduce their energy costs by more than 50 percent. The reduction in costs, plus the Act On Energy(TM) incentive will allow the project to pay for itself in just 18 months.
"There are several factors that affect our bottom line, and allow us to serve kids, families, seniors, and the community better. Electrical and maintenance costs are factors that affect our business. By saving money on our energy and maintenance costs, we can provide better programs and facilities to our community that will enhance their lives. That is the Canton Family YMCA mission," Heller said.
The Ameren Illinois Utilities launched the Act On Energy(TM) (http://www.actonenergy.com/) program in June 2008 to help their electric distribution business customers spend less money by using less energy. Those who choose to participate in this program may realize these benefits:
-- Incentives from the Ameren Illinois Utilities for the implementation of approved electric energy efficiency measures.
-- Electric energy efficiency modifications to buildings and operating systems can reduce electric energy use, which will lower electric energy bills.
-- Typically, electric energy efficiency projects boost employee and customer comfort and help improve productivity.
-- Reductions in energy use have an environmental impact by reducing a business' carbon footprint and helping decrease the need for new or expanded electric generating plants.
The Act On Energy(TM) initiative features an incentive program for business customers who install qualified energy-efficient lighting, heating and cooling systems, refrigeration and motor systems.
In addition, incentives are available for qualified customs projects such as variable-frequency drives on process fans and pumps, compressed air system improvements, improvements to reduce energy use in manufacturing processes and other initiatives.
Program Year Two of the Act On Energy(TM) Business will begin on June 1, 2009, and incentive dollars will double from Program Year One.
Complete information, including application forms, is available at the Act On Energy(TM) Web site (http://www.actonenergy.com/) in the "For My Business" section, or by calling 1-866-800-0747.
The Ameren Illinois utilities serve 1.2 million electric customers and more than 840,000 natural gas customers in a 43,700-square-mile area of Illinois.
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