Dakin Humane Society Adds Cheer to Adoption Atmosphere

Springfield's Dakin Humane Society is starting the new year fresh with its brighter, more cheerful environment for animals looking for a forever home. The local nonprofit worked with Eversource on energy-efficient improvements made to its lighting and heating systems, which will save an estimated $49,000 in annual energy costs.

"Any money saved on energy can go back into our programs, which is vital to a nonprofit organization," said Dakin Humane Society Executive Director Carmine DiCenso. "We do everything from taking in animals that don't have homes and may need medical care, to donating pet food to help people feed their animals in times of need. Both are such meaningful efforts, especially as we kick off the New Year."

Prior to the project, Dakin Humane Society's building had inefficient lighting and a heating system that consistently ran to keep its water hot, wasting money and energy. Eversource and its energy efficiency contractor, Energy Resources, LLC, worked together to upgrade the lighting and, along with Columbia Gas, replace the Humane Society's boiler. The overall project is estimated to pay for itself in two years and will create a more comfortable environment for guests, animals, and staff.

"We're always thrilled to partner with organizations, like the Dakin Humane Society, that do such meaningful work in our local community," said Eversource Senior Vice President and Chief Customer Officer Penni Conner. "We're also proud of their leadership in helping to accelerate our overall energy-saving efforts across the City of Springfield and its business community."

Dakin Humane Society took advantage of the Mass Save small business program, sponsored by Eversource, which starts with a no-cost energy audit conducted by an Eversource-authorized contractor to identify energy efficiency opportunities. Highlights include:

  • A comprehensive energy-saving proposal that details the measures to make businesses more energy efficient, along with projected savings
  • Incentives and discounts for LED lighting and controls, HVAC systems, motor controls, refrigeration controls, commercial kitchen equipment, and more 
  • Zero-interest financing available to qualified customers

"We never thought the project would be affordable, but the program helped us make changes we otherwise wouldn't have been able to do," DiCenso explained. "Plus, we have lots of things happening at once - animals ready for adoption or getting medical care, volunteers walking dogs, and the general public coming in to visit. Everything was done in a way that met our needs without startling the animals or interrupting our business."

To learn more about the project, here's a short video.

For more information about Eversource's energy efficiency programs, rebates and incentives, or to schedule an energy audit for your business visit www.masssave.com or call 1-844-887-1400. 

 Eversource www.eversource.com