By contacting our energy efficiency experts here at BED before building or expanding a business, commercial and industrial customers can reduce their electric costs significantly. Many businesses already have. The Business New Construction Program helps businesses exceed the required Burlington Guidelines for Energy-Efficient Construction when they build or renovate their facilities. By working with designers and owners every step of the way, BED can assist in the choice of energy-efficient construction techniques that makes sense for the specific business. Participants will realize immediate savings on their electric costs, and the entire community will benefit from a cleaner, lower-cost power supply and by keeping more energy dollars in the local economy.

BED provides the following services through its Business New Construction Program:

We're working hard to help our commercial and industrial customers reduce their electric costs and keep their businesses competitive. By working together with businesses, we are taking the first step toward controlling future energy costs, protecting the environment, exploring new dimensions in customer/utility relations, and making Burlington the choice location for businesses!

It is very important to contact BED Energy Services as early as possible in the project design phase so that the opportunity for incorporating energy-efficiency measures is not missed. The owner/designer will need to become familiar with the requirements in the Guidelines for Energy-Efficient Construction in the City of Burlington.

Next, an Energy Services Specialist will work with the customer to review the initial building concept design and to identify potential energy-efficiency improvements.

BED staff will either analyze the various measures to determine their cost-effectiveness or will provide funding for an engineering firm to evaluate the measures.

After all findings have been reviewed and the cost effectiveness determined, BED will present the customer with the energy-efficiency measurers that qualify for the program.

When appropriate, BED will offer subsidies to shorten the "payback" time of these measures. If available, this subsidy amount will be detailed in the report the owner/designer receives from BED. Financing may also be available.

Once the proposal is accepted, an agreement is developed between the owner and BED, and the designs are then incorporated into the project.

BED will inspect the customer's project throughout the construction phase. When it is satisfactorily completed, the owner will receive any available rebate or financing.

A grocery-store owner wanted to expand the business. The Building Inspection Division of DPW suggested that the owner contact the BED Energy Services staff for ways to save on utility costs. Though the owner's new refrigeration unit met the Burlington Guidelines for Energy-Efficient Construction, a BED specialist suggested an enhancement that could save the owner over 30 percent on refrigeration costs in the winter.

BED analyzed the potential savings of the enhancement, assisted the contractor in sizing the equipment, and provided a direct subsidy of $1,100 towards the $6,500 cost. This brought the "simple payback" of the project down to 1½ years. 

For more information about Burlington's Guidelines for Energy-Efficient Construction, contact Public Works at 802/863-9094 or the BED's Energy Services Administrator at 802/865-7342, or visit Energy-Efficient Construction

Legal Notices and Terms of Use