Rebate Sparks Energy Saving Changes
Giving computers a solid power nap turned out to be a good way to save a substantial amount of energy and money for the state Department of Social and Health Services.
In partnership with Tacoma Power’s PC Power Management program, DSHS bought and installed software for 2,444 computers at its 11 sites in Tacoma Power’s service area. With a rebate of $8 per computer, DSHS received a check for $19,552 from Tacoma Power.
The software that DSHS installed helps schedule computers’ “sleep” time through a networked approach that doesn’t interfere with the needs of the users or information technology staff. For example, if a user were scheduled for a 15-minute meeting that actually ran two hours, the software would detect if the computer was still idle after 15 minutes and automatically put it to “sleep” until the user returned.
Since DSHS services its computers remotely at night from the main office in Olympia, they must be left on after hours for software upgrades and security patches. But when the computers are set in sleep mode, they use less energy while remaining available for servicing –the best of both worlds for DSHS.
Through the PC Power Management program, DSHS will reduce its annual electricity use by more than 293,000 kilowatt-hours, resulting in annual savings of more than $9,000 on its Tacoma Power energy. DSHS completed installation of the software in late 2009 and began seeing the savings as soon as a month later.
That’s great news to John Pelkey, the financial manager for DSHS’ Lands and Buildings Division. But, he said, what’s even better is sending the message that people can change little things and make a big difference. “My personal goal is to create an awareness of the simple things.” Pelkey said. “It’s not just saving money it’s getting people to change their behavior. We can create something important when we all work together.”
When Pelkey and his team learned about Tacoma Power’s energy efficiency rebates, they realized the rebate would perpetuate conservation throughout the organization because it could help fund Resource Conservation Manager Karen Schraven’s contract. Schraven helps find ways to save energy and money by working with DSHS staff and facilities, and with utilities. So, in the case of DSHS, savings from one area is being “paid forward” to create additional savings for the large state agency.
And the hope among both parties is to keep the savings coming by exploring more Tacoma Power rebate programs together.
“The most important part of this project was establishing a partnership with Tacoma Power,” Pelkey said. “The rebate is a one-time deal, but the partnership is ongoing.”
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