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Our primary offices are located at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA.

 

Duquesne University

Small Business Development Center

108 Rockwell Hall

600 Forbes Ave

Pittsburgh, PA 15282-0103

 

Phone: (412) 396-6233

Fax: (412) 396-5884

Email: duqsbdc@duq.edu

Monday through Friday 8:30AM to 4:30 PM

 

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Success Story
"Walk-In" In Savings

 

Client: Timothy Bergstresser

 

Address: Geochemical Testing
2005 N. Center Ave
Somerset, PA 15501-7441

 

Phone: 814-443-1671

 

Email: tbergstresser@geo-ces.com

 

Website: www.geo-ces.com

 

Industry: Analytical Testing Laboratory

 

Year Founded: 2007

 

SBDC Assistance: EMAP Energy Efficiency Assistance 

 

Additional Partners: DEP Small Business Energy Efficiency Grant.

 

Mr. Tim Bergstresser had been working at Geochemical Testing since 1981.  Then in the summer of 2008 he purchased the business, buildings and ancillary equipment associated with the business.  Geochemical Testing provides analytical services to a broad range of clients including private individuals which might require drinking water analysis, utility companies, coal companies, municipal authorities, landfills and small and large private companies with treatment or pollution control requirements.


Tim was referred to Lee Ann Briggs, environmental consultant by his business consultant with the Saint Francis University SBDC.  Tim was interested in making energy improvements to his office space and laboratory, more specifically consolidating his analytical sampling cooling capacity from multiple double-door bottle coolers and a small walk-in cooler to one large walk-in cooler.


 

Geothermal Testing

“EMAP’s technical and financial expertise was instrumental in helping our company start the path to a greener and more energy efficient future ”

- Tim Bergstresser

 

 

 

 

Assistance

 

 

The environmental consultant conducted an on-site energy assessment.  Suggested upgrades included but were not limited to installation of high efficiency lighting fixtures, occupancy sensors, LED exit signs and programmable thermostats as well as consolidation of the various coolers. 

The environmental consultant was instrumental in informing Mr. Berstresser of the potential opportunity available to him through the Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEPs) Small Business Energy Efficiency Grant (SBEEG).  For this grant period, Mr. Bergstresser chose to focus solely on the purchase and installation of a new larger walk-in cooler.  The environmental consultant and energy efficiency specialist with the SDO  provided assistance with completing and submitting the SBEEG grant application.

The SBEEG grant application request for $18,247 was submitted to DEP in April 2009.   Approval is expected sometime this fall.  The total cost of the project will be $72,986.

 

Results

 

 

The energy efficiency upgrades include the installation/construction of a more efficient and larger walk-in cooler.  Construction materials of the cooler will meet and/or exceed current federal standards for walk-in coolers.  The ceiling, walls and floor all will be fully insulated.  Additionally the cooler will be equipped an outside air economizer to help reduce energy usage.

The upgrade will result in annual savings of over 18,120 kWh of electricity or a total cost savings of over $1,800 annually.    In addition to the annual savings on kWh and the associated economics, the upgrade will result in emissions reductions of over 14 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