DC RECAP & RESULTS
The Competition
Over an eight-week period, student volunteers competed against one another to see who could complete the most energy assessments for local DC businesses. These free energy assessments consisted of an energy-efficiency survey, utility bill check-up, and rebate analysis.
The Result
22 student volunteers helped 45 local businesses identify annual energy savings of $52,500, equivalent to 190 tons of carbon emissions offset. Along the way, these students earned certificates, informational interviews, and resume reviews.
participating businesses
kWh of energy savings
energy cost savings
%
average energy savings
Participating Businesses
Andy Nelson’s Southern Pit Barbecue
Barnes & Noble
Bike Rack DC
BodySmith Gym
boli
Brookland Pint
Charles Bergen Studio
Cherry Blossom Creative
Creative Ways Therapy
El Pollo Ricos
First Break Cafe
Georgetown Hairstyling
Greenworks Florist
Grey Moggie Press
Highway to Hill
Home Rule
Idle Time Books
Labyrinth Games & Puzzles
Marcella Kriebel Art + Illustration
Maroulla Sculpture
Old City Farm and Guild
Optimum Dental
Panda Head Blog LLC
Peregrine Espresso
Petworth Citizen
President Cigars
Proof
Qualia Coffee
Rebound-Designs/Bookland
Riide
Showtime
Slim’s Diner
Solly’s Tavern
Songbyrd Cafe
Stitch and Rivet
Strategic Educational Consulting LLC (SEDC LLC}
Tenley Study Center
The Big Bad Woof
The Coupe
The DC Dentist
The Potter’s House
Trinity Deli
U Street Cleaners
Wardman Wines
Zawadi
Business Breakdown
Eat, Drink, Save
Restaurants and food service accounted for 33% of the participating businesses, the most of any sector.
Small Footprint
The average participating business had a building footprint of 3,100 sq. ft.
Big Savings
The average energy efficiency savings identified per business was 23% or $1,150 per year.
- Install occupancy sensors in common areas 71%
- Install LED exit signs 60%
- Replace T12 and 32W T8 bulbs with 25W T8 bulbs 47%
- Purchase ENERGY STAR rated refrigerators 47%
- Reduce after-hour interior lighting 38%
The Results Were Amazing
Over 23 different energy-efficiency recommendations were identified for participating businesses, including efficiency measures in lighting, plug load, building envelope, HVAC, water and recycling. These recommendations ranged from projects with an immediate payback period to projects with a two-year payback. The top five most frequently recommended efficiency measures were applicable to one-third or more of businesses.
And let's hear it for the students...
1st Place
Elizabeth Bezilla
Catholic University of America
10 assessments
2nd Place
Sonia Vohra
Georgetown University
5 assessments
2nd Place
Ben Pitler
American University
5 assessments
Emily Oldham
4 assessments
Tracy Wang
2 assessments
Aishwarya Sadh
2 assessments
Juli Petrillo
2 assessments
Leo Ellis
1 assessment
Federico Witzke
1 assessment
Elizabeth Meyers
1 assessment
Rachel Baca
1 assessment
Daniel Glasgow
1 assessment
Patrick Suarez
1 assessment
Tanya Rivera
1 assessment
Deanna Rosini
1 assessment
Caroline Winn
1 assessment
Ibtesam Alamoudi
1 assessment
Bryant Cordero
1 assessment
Dylan Bonsignore
1 assessment
Erika Toscao
1 assessment
Sandra Guillen
1 assessment
Julia Choi
1 assessment
Student Prizes
Scholarships
The top students are in the running for the $1,500 Impact Scholarship presented by Inspire Energy.
Informational Interviews
All participating students will be given the opportunity for informational interviews with DC Sustainable Energy Utility, Nextility, and Groundswell.
Resume Review
Select students will receive a personal resume review by the experts at 20 Minute Resume.
Next Steps
Now for even more fun! In the coming months, Green Impact Campaign will work with the participating businesses to further understand their assessment results and further implement recommendations:
- Provide businesses with a Green Impact Campaign Certified Business window decal to show their participation and commitment to being a local, sustainable business.
- Nextility will help businesses secure lower energy supply rates and green energy through the utility. Nextility can also provide solar assessments for qualifying buildings.
- DC Sustainable Energy Utility will provide businesses with various rebates on the purchase of energy-efficiency equipment, including lighting, appliances, refrigeration, and HVAC, helping bring down the cost of upgrades by over 50%.
- Groundswell will offer businesses an Energy Coach to help answer any questions and help businesses go beyond the initial assessment.
Made possible by:
ABOUT GREEN IMPACT CAMPAIGN
Green Impact Campaign (GIC) is on a mission to reduce the environmental impact of small business while better equipping the next generation of climate leaders. We provide university students across the country with cloud-based tools and training to go out and conduct free energy assessments for local, small businesses in their community. Small businesses receive the custom, actionable information they need to make their business more energy efficiency and profitable. While student volunteers receive professional skills through hands-on experience for future impact careers.
Kilowatt Smackdown is our regional competition series where we select one community, town, or city to focus on. We work closely with local universities and partner organizations in the community to host an impactful and exciting sustainability initiative.
