An eight-day winter recess at Western Michigan University (WMU) came to an end on Jan. 2, with the school’s offices returning to normal business hours and the final tally of energy savings during the period estimated to come in at more than $140,000.

Ameresco Inc. announced that it is beginning implementation of a $17.4 million energy savings performance contract (ESPC) with the state of Hawaii Department of Accounting and General Services (DAGS). 

With a veritable alphabet soup of acronyms now available to describe the energy efficiency of HVAC equipment, contractors have all the information necessary to educate their customers about how their systems will perform when installed correctly.

Pepco Energy Services Inc., a subsidiary of Pepco Holdings Inc., has signed a $16.3 million comprehensive energy savings performance contract (ESPC) with Appalachian State University.

SmartWatt Energy, an energy efficiency firm that provides turnkey solutions for commercial, industrial, and institutional clients and utilities, has expanded its Multi-Measure Group, adding staff across divisions at its nationwide offices.

Grace Church, a non-denominational congregation in Eden Prairie, Minn., is saving more than $100,000 annually in utility charges as a result of completing a recommissioning of its facility.

Siemens Government Technologies Inc. announced that the United States Coast Guard awarded the company a $5.3 million task order to install and implement energy conservation upgrades at the U.S. Coast Guard Base in Elizabeth City, N.C.

SmartWatt Energy, an energy efficiency firm, has added staff across two divisions nationwide. Kerry Stinson, P.E., was hired as an energy engineer III. Benjamin Prichett was hired as a project engineer. Vincent Figueroa was hired as an IT technician.

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and utility company NSTAR concluded the first phase of MIT Efficiency Forward — a multimillion-dollar pilot collaboration on energy-use reduction — and due to its success have signed a second agreement to renew the program through 2015. 

The energy efficiency of commercial buildings has improved over the last several decades, but the HVAC industry has only scratched the surface when it comes to squeezing the energy waste out of underperforming buildings.