Cabrini students and faculty present an example of how energy efficiency can equal cost effectiveness.
Crossroads Gift & Thrift is a small retail thrift store in Norristown. A significant amount of their monthly energy bill goes to light their 3,000-square-foot retail space.
With thirty traditional 2' x 4' fluorescent lights, Crossroads was missing an opportunity to save.
Replacing a traditional 4‑bulb light (sometimes called a T12) with a 3‑bulb high-efficiency T8 light can save about 40% on your electric bill and provide the same or even better light.
"Saving a few hundred dollars on our electric bill would be great," says store manager Corey Sutter. "Every dollar we don't pay on utilities can go to support the mission of our community thrift shop."
To use the new bulbs, the existing fixtures must also be changed. To help companies get over the initial 'cost hurdle' of these new lights, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection offers small-business energy-efficiency grants.
The funding pays up to 25% of the project cost (up to a maximum $25,000). To qualify, a project must save at least $1,000 per year on energy (demonstrating a 20% improvement in efficiency).
Faculty Contact: Dr. Eric Malm, Business Department, eric.malm@cabrini.edu