CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – March 28, 2012 – The new University Center at Mount Mercy University is a model of what energy-efficient buildings can look like and offer in energy savings in Eastern Iowa. The university recently worked with Interstate Power and Light Company (IPL), an Alliant Energy company, to design the latest and best energy-savings techniques and technologies into the building from the start of construction.
The new building is an example of how energy-efficient planning can really save money. The building was recently finished and is already saving the school money. A typical building of this size, without the energy-efficient technology would cost about $56,261 a year in energy costs. This technology lowers the schools average annual bill to $20,083.
“When we did the math on the benefits and costs of this project, it just made sense both financially and environmentally,” said Barb Pooley, vice president of finance and business operations – Mount Mercy University. “We learned about Alliant Energy’s programs after an energy audit. I would recommend their help to anyone.”
In addition to the energy savings, this project qualified for an incentive of $89,384 through Alliant Energy’s Commercial New Construction Program.
“The Commercial New construction program gets customers to think about energy efficiency from the very beginning of the project,” said Mayuri Farlinger, Alliant Energy key account manager. “By starting from scratch, designers can build the building around the energy-efficient techniques.”
Alliant Energy offers the Commercial New Construction program to assist owners and design teams in evaluating potential energy conservation strategies for new and renovated building projects. The customer, project design team and utility personnel work together from the start of the conceptual design. They use building performance simulation modeling to identify and implement cost-effective energy efficiency approaches that improve the overall energy efficiency of a building. To qualify, the enhancements must create energy savings at least 15 percent greater than projected energy use though building standards required through the Iowa building code.
The Commercial New Construction program can be utilized for new commercial buildings and major remodeling projects. It is available to Alliant Energy retail electric and gas customers located in its Iowa service territory. For more information on Alliant Energy’s Commercial New Construction program, visit www.alliantenergy.com/newconstruction or call 1-866-ALLIANT (1-866-255-4268).
Media Contact: Justin Foss, 319-786-4788