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Success Story: C. W. Hines and Associates, Inc.

Partner Information

C. W. Hines and Associates, Inc., Newport News, VA
2,500 Sq. Feet business office
Annual Cash Savings: $2,000
Annual Energy Savings: 17,142 kWh
Payback period: 3 years
Prevented 36,000 lbs. of pollution

Management Firm Firmly Manages Energy Use Savings

C. W. Hines and Associates, Inc., a management consulting firm based in Newport News, VA, knows that good business management is essential to financial success. But the company also knows that part of good management involves taking advantage of energy efficiency technology both to save energy dollars and to make working spaces more comfortable for both clients and employees.

The company recently put its business sense to the test by retrofitting its offices with an energy efficient heating and cooling system and by retrofitting to highly efficient lamps. In addition, it took a number of energy conservation measures to make its building less energy intensive to operate. The result? Lower energy bills and a more comfortable working environment.

High Efficiency Lights = Good Business Sense

As part of its efforts to make its building a demonstration of good energy management, the company has installed highly efficient compact fluorescent lamps and T-8 fluorescent lamps. These lamps produce as much light as standard incandescent and fluorescent lamps, but at much less energy cost. In addition, the company uses occupancy sensors to automatically turn lights off when not needed.

Efficient Heating and Cooling Bolsters Bottom Line

C. W. Hines and Associates also invested in a new high-efficiency heating system and high-efficiency air conditioners using energy efficient fans and pump motors. In addition, the systems use variable frequency drives which save money and energy by operating only at the speed necessary to most efficiently deliver warm or cool air. The company has also ensured that all the pipes used to deliver hot water are well insulated, thereby reducing the loss of expensive heat radiating from the pipes.

Taking a Load Off

Dr. Carolyn Hines, president of C. W. Hines and Associates, knows that using highly efficient equipment is only half the battle against high energy bills. Reducing energy load by tightening up the company’s building is equally important. To that end, her company has installed new windows and improved insulation to reduce the loss of cool or warm air and thereby reduce the burden on the heating and cooling systems. They also planted trees outside the building to provide shade in the summer, thereby reducing heat gain caused by solar radiation.

Saving Energy Dollars Through Spreadsheets

C. W. Hines and Associates is a management consulting company, so it’s no surprise that it understands the importance of planning ahead. This understanding is underscored by the importance the company places on scheduled maintenance of its equipment and building. A building can stay energy tight only if it is properly maintained, and even the new high-efficient energy saving technology needs to be checked at regular intervals. By setting up a maintenance schedule, the company ensures that the savings in energy dollars that it is experiencing today will continue.

Friendly Office Increases Productivity

According to Dr. Carolyn Hines, the company’s investment has paid off not only financially, but also other equally important ways. The company has increased its productivity through creating a less stressful working environment. The improved lighting and heating and cooling systems have made the company’s offices more relaxing and, as Hines says, more “family friendly.” For its success at saving energy through cost-effective energy technologies and energy conservation methods, C. W. Hines and Associates received a year 2000 ENERGY STAR for Small Business Award.