For nonprofit organizations, reducing operating costs means more money in the budget to support their programs. Goodwill of Western and Northern Connecticut, which provides skills training and work opportunities to more than 13,000 people every year, is no stranger to this concept. The organization recently partnered with Eversource to make 17 of its retail, distribution and sorting facilities across the state more energy efficient. The result: Goodwill of Western and Northern Connecticut will save more than $148,000 in annual energy costs.  

"Since each location operates anywhere between 80 and 90 hours a week, Goodwill was a perfect candidate for energy efficiency improvements," said Eversource Energy Efficiency spokesperson Enoch Lenge. "Goodwill is a vital member of the community, and it was important to us as a company to connect them to solutions for savings. The improvements will deliver almost $1.5 million in savings over the next 10 years." 

Goodwill of Western and Northern Connecticut store on Route 44, Avon

From Avon and Danbury to Stamford and Westport, Goodwill of Western and Northern Connecticut wanted to reduce its energy use while providing the best environment for customers and employees. A no-cost, on-site energy assessment of its facilities by an Eversource-authorized contractor identified two primary saving opportunities - long-lasting and efficient indoor and outdoor LED lighting and low-flow faucet aerators, which reduce the flow of water without reducing pressure - saving both water and energy. Additionally, control devices were added to beverage vending machines at each location to reduce the amount of electricity they use. 

"We make it a priority to be proactive and take advantage of creative ways to strategically offset some of our operational costs," said Goodwill of Western and Northern Connecticut Chief Financial Officer Jerry Segrue. "Every dollar saved with this upgrade is funding that can be redirected to our mission - supporting people with disabilities, economic disadvantages, and other barriers to employment. We plan to replicate the program's success at our other Connecticut locations."

Eversource and Goodwill of Western and Northern Connecticut worked with contractor Artis Energy of Middletown and Emendee Technologies, a Southington-based consultant, to make the energy-efficiency improvements. Participating locations included: Avon, Bloomfield, Bristol, Brookfield, Danbury, Enfield, Glastonbury, Hartford, Manchester, New Milford, Newington, Oxford, Riverside, Stamford, Torrington, Waterbury, and Westport.

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