We welcomed two New Energy Interns to the MACED staff at the beginning of this month. Former coal miners, John Craft and Scott Shoupe, will be spending the next six months with our energy team, learning the ins and outs of commercial and residential energy efficiency auditing, and both have an eye to starting their own businesses when they complete the internship. Earlier this month, they helped out with their first audit at Spotlight Acting Studio in Berea.
Spotlight Acting Studio offers acting classes for children and holds performances with actors of all ages. After relocating from Richmond to a former Wal-Mart in Berea, business owner Chad Hembree knew that he needed to upgrade his old fluorescent lighting to more efficient LEDs. Under the leadership of MACED’s Energy Efficient Enterprises (E3) team, John and Scott learned how to conduct a lighting audit, which includes a review of utility bills, a look at lighting wiring, a lighting count, and how to make the most cost-effective recommendations for an upgrade. They even got on the roof to do an assessment for solar potential.
When all is said and done, the upgrade of the facility’s lighting to LEDs should save Spotlight around $1,000 per year in electricity costs and pay for itself in less than two years. John, Scott, and the rest of our team will be working throughout eastern Kentucky to provide efficiency services during their internships. If your small business, non-profit, church, local government, or school wants to save on your electricity bills, E3 is offering FREE audits for the next six months.
Visit www.efficiencypays.org to fill out an application today!
