Client: Kim P. Sturgeon

Address: Klingensmith Properties
409 Ford St.
Ford City, PA 16226-1229

Industry: Real Estate

Year Founded: 1997

SBDC Assistance: Environmental Management Assistance Program – Energy Efficiency  

Additional Partners: The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)

Having attended and heard Lee Ann Briggs, environmental consultant with EMAP speak at a DEP/ETAC Energy Efficiency workshops last spring, Ms. Sturgeon contacted Lee Ann Briggs directly to inquire about having an energy efficiency assessment conducted at her office facility located in downtown Ford City. 

Klingensmith was founded in 1980.  As the business expanded Klingensmith would require more space.  They acquired the former Greenbaum’s Furniture Store located on Ford Street in downtown Ford City.  The building underwent major renovations in 2001 with specific emphasis placed on the second and third floors.  Klingensmith moved into the building in September 2001. 

The majority of the lighting was upgraded to high efficiency T-8 fluorescents with electronic ballasts.  The HVAC systems were also upgraded during renovation activities with high efficiency units.  Following the EMAP energy assessment Klingensmith opted to take advantage of potential DEP funding opportunities and upgrade their old single pane windows to new more efficient double pane windows.

Assistance

The environmental consultant conducted an on-site energy assessment and provided a number of energy efficiency recommendations including replacing the existing (original) 32 windows with higher efficiency double pane windows.

The environmental consultant was instrumental in informing Ms. Sturgeon of the potential opportunity available to her with the DEP’s Small Business Energy Efficiency Grant (SBEEG).  The environmental consultant assisted Ms. Sturgeon with completing the grant application.  The application request of $25,000 was submitted to DEP at the end of April 2009.

Results

The original 32 single pane, non-insulated windows will be replaced with energy efficient Tubelite aluminum framing with a thermal barrier, triseal super spacer with 1" Annealed insulated glazing with exterior lite Solargray and Interior Lite PPF Solarban 70XL, Low E finish.

The project shows significant savings!  The new windows will save over 15,900 kWh of electricity and over 2,106 therms of natural gas or a total cost savings of $4,388 annually.    In addition to the annual savings on kWh and therms and associated economics, the upgrade will result in emissions reductions of over 24 tons annually. 

If you would like more information on how the Duquesne University SBDC can assist you with your business, please contact us by: form, phone 412.396.6233, or email duqsbdc@duq.edu