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CT Green Guide Fall 2016

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www.CTGreenGuide.com FALL 2016 • CONNECTICUT GREEN GUIDE 5 SMART BUSINESS: WEST HAVEN VA MEDICAL CENTER Veterans' healthcare provider saves thousands with lighting upgrade A pproximately 56,000 patients are served every year in the state's Veterans Health Administration system, which has two ambulatory care centers and six primary care outpa- tient clinics. Seeking to minimize wasted re- sources and operating costs, and to help meet conservation goals, the West Haven VA Medical Center un- derwent a significant upgrade this year. The ambulatory care center and inpatient facility worked with United Illuminating Co., part of Avangrid, to develop strategic plans and assess financial assistance for energy efficiency projects. The VA Medical Center upgraded to high-efficiency interior light- ing through Energize Connecti- cut's "Energy Conscious Blueprint" program. The program provided assistance and installation of cost- effective modern lighting systems to replace old fixtures. "The installation plan provided by Energize Connect- icut was customized to our needs, making upgrades to one room at a time to accommodate our patient care areas," said Joseph Simonetta, acting chief of facilities management at the center. "By investing in energy effi- ciency now, we're saving money that can be put toward additional improvements in patient care, which is our top priority." Approximately 50 high-performance T8 fluorescent light fixtures were installed in patient rooms, adminis- tration buildings, staff offices and utility rooms in the renovated women's clinic. The center received $1,667 in incentives to help pay for the energy-efficient upgrades. With the savings achieved, UI estimates it will take just over two years to break even. Over a 15-year period, the lighting improvements will save an estimated 69,900 kilowatt hours or $12,500 annually. Energize's programs are an initiative of the Energy Efficiency Fund, the Connecticut Green Bank, state government, and local electric and gas utilities, with funding from a charge on customer energy bills. By working through Energize Connecticut programs, energy-efficiency upgrades are more feasible for any busi- ness, allowing them to reduce operating costs and focus on their primary goals," said Donna S. Wells, director of commercial and industrial energy services at UI. Efficient lighting on display at the West Haven VA Medical Center. PHOTO | CONTRIBUTED

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