DRI NEWS — Renewable energy experts from Reno’s Desert Research Institute (DRI) will host an community presentation on Thursday, May 30th from 7-9pm at Fernley High School, promoting a new USDA Rural Energy for America Program that could save rural Nevada businesses thousands of dollars in electricity costs each year.
“The purpose of the evening is to explain how the energy audit program can assist small businesses,” said Curt Robbins, associate research professor and project director at DRI. “The assessment is inexpensive, quick and even small upgrades or repairs have shown a dramatic difference for some of the businesses we’ve already helped.”
Each small business that participates in the project will receive an in-depth report of the upgrades they can take to make their business more energy efficient. The assessment includes an analysis of utility bills, a site visit and a final report that includes energy conservation measures with an associated financial payback period. DRI experts will focus the audit on several areas, including refrigeration, HVAC, building envelope (an analysis of the building itself), insulation, heating, and lighting. Upgrades in these areas have proven to lead to the most significant savings for small businesses.
All recommended upgrades are cost-effective, and DRI is not promoting the use of a specific product or brand. DRI using state-of-the-art equipment to conduct the audits, at no additional charge to the business owner.
The USDA grant covers 75 percent of the energy audit cost for business owners, leaving only a minimal, one-time fee ranging from $80 to $240 depending on business and facility size.
For more information on DRI’s Renewable Energy Center or the USDA Rural Energy Audit Program please visit – http://www.dri.edu/energy-
