Stow Firm Helps Akron Goodwill Earn Energy Star Award

Goodwill Industries of Akron can thank a Stow firm for helping the non-profit achieve Energy Star certification from the Environmental Protection Agency.

Stow-based USIlluminations was one of several contractors to upgrade or retrofit utility operations at the non-profit's Waterloo Road facility to cut down on energy use.

Brenda Baum, communications manager for Goodwill Industries of Akron, said the agency spent about $236,000 in total over a span of three years.

"We’re done, but it doesn’t mean that we’re not constantly looking at whatever new opportunities might be available," Baum said.

Goodwill received the Energy Star award from the EPA in April for its Waterloo Road facility, where USIlluminations replaced the parking lot and exterior lighting with light-emitting diode, or LED, fixtures.

Each parking lot light, with the new LED fixtures, went from using 1,080 watts to using only 105 watts.

Tina Conley, president of USIlluminations, said LEDs are the wave of the future in lighting, are low maintenance and guarantee 10 to 15 years of life.

"Just by changing out a fluorescent fixture … they automatically could save half on their electric bill," Conley said. 

In addition to lights, Goodwill also replaced HVAC units, installed web-based management systems for temperature control and shifted to using more efficient toilets and sinks to cut down on water use.

Other, simpler upgrades such as window coverings and motion-activated lights also helped Goodwill lower its energy consumption.

Goodwill paid for the upgrades thanks to a grant from the Summit County Department of Community and Economic Development’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program for Nonprofit Organizations and a rebate from FirstEnergy.

Conley said changing light fixtures, which her firm specializes in, are the easiest way cut costs and save energy.

Her firm has managed similar projects for Hallrich Inc., the parent company of Pizza Hut, and other area corporations.

"It really is what we consider the low hanging fruit for getting the most bang for your buck and being energy efficient," Conley said.