Feb 18 2014
The Nicor Gas Energy Efficiency Program has been recognized by the Association of Energy Services Professionals with an award for its work on the 6 Million Therm Savings campaign, developed by CLEAResult. The campaign promotes a program that helps commercial and industrial customers save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The Nicor Gas 6 Million Therm Savings campaign shows how businesses can take control of their energy costs with simple and cost-effective steam trap replacements. High-pressure steam systems are energy intensive systems that are commonly used in industrial and process-manufacturing businesses. Proper steam trap maintenance can dramatically improve system efficiency, potentially saving businesses thousands of dollars in natural gas costs annually.
The three-month energy savings campaign was responsible for tripling the number of steam trap projects undertaken in the company’s northern Illinois service area compared to the same period last year, and doubling the amount of energy saved to 141,000 therms. That’s equivalent to the energy use of 37.4 homes in one year, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
The campaign, recognized for outstanding achievement in non-residential marketing and communications, focused on educating and encouraging Nicor Gas commercial and industrial customers to employ innovative energy efficiency projects. CLEAResult, an Austin, Texas-based energy efficiency company, developed the campaign as part of its efforts to persuade companies to take advantage of the Nicor Gas Energy Efficiency Rebate Program.
Many of the Nicor Gas industrial and process-manufacturing businesses that use high-pressure steam systems have realized dramatic energy savings. With easy-to-understand infographics, the marketing campaign emphasized that replacing steam traps, an often-ignored piece of equipment, was a prime opportunity for simple and highly cost-effective energy savings.
“The Nicor Gas Energy Efficiency Program offers substantial rebates on energy-saving equipment. But our customers can only take advantage of the rebates if they know about them, which is why it’s so important to have effective marketing campaigns,” said Kevin Kirby, vice president of energy efficiency at Nicor Gas. “The infographic element of the campaign commanded attention and the media channels effectively reached business decision makers, driving participation in the program and saving Nicor Gas business customers a significant amount of energy and money.”
“This campaign’s success illustrates the power of combining specialized technical experience with a solid understanding of local markets to engage industrial and manufacturing customers,” said Lauren Casentini, vice president of CLEAResult’s Pacific and Midwest business units. “Through this campaign, we found a simple and affordable way to help customers reduce their energy costs. We work side-by-side with our clients to identify market-based solutions for energy efficiency, and we’re delighted that the association has recognized this campaign for delivering significant results.”
Through practical technical guidance and the distribution of utility incentives, CLEAResult helps electric, gas and water utility customers – including schools, local governments, businesses and homeowners – reduce energy use. Its energy experts design and manage energy optimization services for utility companies as well as residential, institutional, commercial and industrial organizations, resulting in solutions that lower load requirements for utilities, reduce energy bills for end users and lessen the environmental burden on our communities.
About CLEAResult
CLEAResult is a leading provider of energy efficiency programs and services. Through proven strategies tailored to clients’ unique needs and market dynamics, our experienced energy experts help make the wise use of energy a way of life for hundreds of utility and business partners around the globe. Founded in 2003, CLEAResult is headquartered in Austin, Texas, with over 1,200 employees in more than 40 cities across the U.S. and Canada. For more information, visit www.clearesult.com.
About Nicor Gas
Nicor Gas, a wholly owned subsidiary of AGL Resources (NYSE: GAS), is a natural gas distribution company that serves more than 2 million customers in a service territory that encompasses most of the northern third of Illinois, excluding the city of Chicago. For more information, visit www.nicorgas.com.
The Nicor Gas Energy Efficiency Program offers ideas and tools to help Nicor Gas customers save energy and money. The program provides the education, resources and financial rebates necessary to make energy use in homes or businesses more efficient and affordable. For more information, visit www.NicorGasRebates.com.
About the Association of Energy Service Professionals (AESP)
AESP is a member-based association dedicated to improving the delivery and implementation of energy efficiency, energy management and distributed renewable resources. AESP provides professional development programs, a network of energy practitioners, and promotes the transfer of knowledge and experience. Visit www.aesp.org.
Source: http://www.nicorgas.com