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“InDepth” discussion teaches businesses energy savings
By Kalea Hall
CANFIELD
Area businessmen and women learned the basics of how to conserve energy and save money Thursday.
The Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber’s “InDepth” discussion took place at Mill Creek MetroParks Farm with representatives from FirstEnergy Corp., Strollo Architects and MetroParks officials to talk about energy savings and provide insight on how to conserve in a consuming environment.
“We are projecting an additional 22 percent of electricity consumption from now until 2040,” said Ryan Gutshall, who works in energy efficiency for Akron-based FirstEnergy.
Commercial customers use the most electricity for lighting, cooling and refrigeration.
Industrial customers use most of their electricity on pumps, compressors, blowers and fans.
An energy-saving recommendation for industrial customers is to pull back equipment during nonpeak hours, switch to LED lighting, review compressors to replace insufficient, older compressors and repair any leaks.
LEED, or Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design, certification provides cost savings and benefits to the well-being of the occupants and the environment, although there is a higher cost to become a LEED-certified building.
The more than $34 million Youngstown State University Williamson College of Business building, designed by Strollo Architects of Youngstown, is certified on 44 LEED points.
At Williamson, the firm targeted reduction of water usage, optimizing energy efficiency, harvesting daylight, using recycled and locally resourced materials and other goals.
“The goal was to get light in as many places as possible,” said Rodney J. Lamberson, vice president, principal at Strollo. “Commissioning or evaluating systems to optimize their function will give you return.”
Justin Rogers, the MetroParks’ planning manager, discussed ways to incorporate stormwater management at a business through green infrastructure.
The use of green infrastructure, such as a rain garden, is to treat the stormwater before it enters receiving waters, which benefits the environment and community.