Efficiency Smart Energy For Good Contest
Nominate a local human services nonprofit to win up to $5,000 in energy efficiency improvements!
Communities count on their local human services nonprofits to provide critical resources to those in need. If you’ve been secretly admiring the amazing organizations that are keeping people warm, fed, and secure, you’re not alone. As we weather another year of uncertainty, we’re feeling extra grateful for the local nonprofits that give their time and energy to do good and meet the rising needs brought on by the pandemic.
This February, Efficiency Smart wants to give you the opportunity to give back through the Energy for Good contest. You can show your love for your favorite local human services nonprofit by nominating it to win up to $5,000* in energy efficiency improvements from Efficiency Smart! Efficiency Smart will also work with the winning nonprofit to provide recommendations and identify potential improvements. These improvements will help the winning nonprofit reduce its maintenance and operating costs, so they can spend more money and energy on the people they’re helping.
We’ll randomly select three nominated organizations as finalists for the Energy for Good contest and hold a vote. The nonprofit receiving the most votes at the end of the contest will win the $5,000 prize. (*Spoiler Alert!* We may also randomly select a handful of nonprofits from the list of nominees for a $100 donation.)
*Only human services nonprofit organizations that are customers of a participating electric utility are eligible. Some examples of eligible organizations providing critical human services include emergency assistance organizations, food pantries, domestic violence shelters, disaster relief shelters, youth services agencies, agencies serving those with developmental disabilities, and senior services agencies.
Here’s how:
- Visit Efficiency Smart’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/efficiencysmart and find the Efficiency Smart Energy for Good contest post pinned to the top of a page.
- Comment on the post with the name of a local nonprofit by 11:59 PM EST on February 16, 2022. Efficiency Smart will randomly select five nominated nonprofits to receive a $100 donation.
- Three of the nominated nonprofits will be selected as finalists and a vote will take place on Efficiency Smart’s Facebook page in March.
- Check back at the beginning of March to cast your vote for the finalist. The nonprofit receiving the most votes by 11:59 PM EST on March 15 will win up to $5,000 in energy efficiency improvements from Efficiency Smart.
FAQs:
Q. How many nonprofits will win the grand prize?
One nonprofit will win $5,000 towards the cost of qualifying energy efficiency improvements. Efficiency Smart will provide all finalists a free consultation and energy efficiency recommendations.
Q. What types of nonprofits are eligible?
Only human services nonprofits that provide critical services to a participating Efficiency Smart community are eligible (examples include emergency assistance organizations, food pantries, domestic violence shelters, youth services agencies, agencies serving developmentally disabled populations, and senior services agencies).
Q. Can I nominate my own nonprofit?
Yes! If you are named a finalist, we also recommend that you share our post and encourage others to vote for your nonprofit to increase your odds of winning.
Q. What type of projects are eligible?
The $5,000 can be used towards qualifying new electric energy efficiency improvements. Project pre-approval is required. Efficiency Smart's technical team will work with the winning nonprofit to provide recommendations and help them verify eligibility. Sample projects include:
- LED lighting (eg., LED screw-in lightbulbs, LED Exit Signs, LED T8 lamps, LED parking lot lights, LED recessed fixtures)
- Refrigeration equipment upgrades (e.g., ENERGY STAR certified commercial refrigerators, freezers, and ice makers, smart defrost controls on evaporator units in walk-in coolers, new high efficiency evaporators)
- Electrical Cooking Equipment (e.g., ENERGY STAR certified commercial convection ovens, commercial steam cookers, commercial hot foot holding cabinets, and commercial griddles)
- HVAC (e.g., advanced rooftop unit controls, new high-efficiency HVAC units, VFD controls on exhaust fan motors)
Q: What if the improvements costs less than $5,000?
A: Efficiency Smart will cover eligible project cost up to $5,000. The winning nonprofit is not required to spend the full $5,000. The award can not exceed the total project costs.
Q: How long do I have to use the $5,000?
A: All projects must be completed, and all required paperwork submitted by December 31, 2022.
Q: I have more questions, who can I contact?
A: Contact Efficiency Smart at [email protected] or 877-889-3777.