Going Green, One Business at a Time

With “Swiss cheese” for a roof, had already been seeking bids for a replacement last fall when it learned of the city’s Greener Business Program.

While the downtown restaurant was going to replace the roof anyway, the financial incentives offered through the program would make it possible to install a more energy efficient one.

“We applied and we were approved,” said general manager and chef Donny Greco.

Now, thanks to the new white Energy Star-rated roof and insulation, Potter’s has been saving about $200 a month on its gas bill, compared to the same time last year, Greco said, adding that it's been a positive experience.

Created in late 2009 by the city of , the Greener Business Program aims to help owners and operators of business buildings reduce their energy emissions and consumption and increase their overall energy efficiency. That, in turn, helps reduce the city’s overall carbon footprint.

The program features two different components, the Matching Grant Program and the Revolving Loan Program. Through the grant program, matching funds are awarded at 50 cents for every $1 spent on approved projects, up to $10,000 per building.

The loan program provides businesses with an interest-free loan, up to $25,000, for qualified energy efficiency projects. Both components are funded with money from the U.S. Department of Energy through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

“The program is fully funded by the federal government,” said Katy Forystek, community planner with the city.

To qualify, buildings must have been built prior to 2000, and be located within city of Naperville limits. Taxing bodies and districts are not eligible for grant or loan funding.

Originally, the program was open only to commercial, office or industrial buildings, but in October the city also added multifamily buildings to the list of eligible structures.

“In order to be defined as multifamily, it has to have a minimum of three units,” Forystek said.

Energy efficiency improvements in residential buildings must be made in the common areas, not individual units.

Among the types of projects that are eligible for Greener Business funds are weatherization, heating, ventilation and air conditioning system upgrades, and lighting and controls.

Improvements that are not eligible for funding include household appliances; project design and development, administration, or project management costs; landscape improvements; projects already in progress or completed; leased equipment; training, workshops, communication or awareness programs; and other improvements that are determined to not increase energy efficiency or reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

In January 2010, the city began taking applications and has seen a steady stream of grant requests. So far Naperville has awarded about 22 grants and has about $85,000 in grants funds left, Forystek said. More than $190,000 in grants have already been awarded.

“I’m constantly getting inquiries,” she said. “I’d say I get multiple inquiries every week.”

Revolving Loan Fund

Of the $50,000 allocated to the Revolving Loan Fund, half of that amount in the amount of $25,000 - the maximum amount allowed under the program, said Katie Wernberg, community grants coordinator.

“We’ve been very surprised it didn’t have more popularity,” Wernberg said. “Maybe it’s the economy.”

After seeing stronger interest in grant applications than loans, the city allocated put more into the grants, she said. A total of $50,000 is allocated for the loan program.

“There are still funds available,” Wernberg said.

Although there is one application pending, it is not for the full $25,000, she said.

Loan recipients, who must pass a credit check, are required to repay the loan in increments of at least 20 percent of the total loan each year on April 1 for five years. As a revolving loan program, the money paid back each year can then be loaned to others.

“Each year we should have money back,” Wernberg said.

After replacing all lights with more energy efficient ones two years ago, wanted continue with the green momentum.

“Our goal was to come up with an idea to make an impact on our consumptive energy use, and also (do) something people can see and something that can change their behavior,” said Abby Hahne, sustainability coordinator at North Central College.

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design

For inspiration, the college decided to install occupancy sensors some of the older buildings on campus.

“With the momentum from that building, we decided to look go back and look at the old buildings, which tend to be energy hogs, and look for ways” to be more energy efficient, Hahne said.

Through the Greener Business Matching Grant Fund, the North Central invested $90,000 and received three grants totaling $29,999.

Of that money, a $10,000 grant went towards the installation of new windows in a student residence hall, $10,000 was used for occupancy sensors in Goldspohn Hall and Kroehler Science Center, and the $9,999 grant helped install occupancy sensors in White Activities Hall, Carnegie Hall and Old Main, which was built in 1870.

“The goal is to continue with occupancy sensors in al the residential buildings and other administrative and athletic buildings,” Hahne said.

Through the changes made with the grants, the college anticipates a total costs savings of $96,689 annually on electric and gas utility bills. While it is still to early to tell what kind of savings the college has experienced so far, Hahne said the improvements have had another positive effect.

“The attitudes of the people on campus and behaviors have definitely changed,” she said. “The neat part is, they’re different things they can apply in their own homes. So it’s not only that, it’s something they can take with them.”

Back at Potter’s Place, Greco said the benefits of the grant program are triple-fold. It helped cover about 40 percent of the cost of more expensive Energy Star roof, will save Potter’s utility costs - estimated at about $10,000 a year and the “green factor.”

“The temperature maintains much better because of the insulation in the roof,” he said.

The new roof will keep the building 20 degrees warmer in the winter and 20 degrees cooler in the summer, he said.

“Who knows what we’re going to save in the summer with the air conditioning,” Greco said. “We’ll probably be spending less on electric for our air conditioner.”

Applications for the Greener Business Program will be accepted through Dec. 1, 2011 or until all funds have been exhausted (whichever first) and will be awarded to qualified applicants on a first-come, first served basis.

For more information on the Greener Business Program, visit the Website.