FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Feb 11 2015 12:00:00:000AM
News Media Contact: Joseph Barrios, (520) 884-3725, jbarrios@tep.com

TEP BrightEE Awards Recognize Achievements In Energy Efficiency

Tucson, Ariz. — Tucson Electric Power (TEP) presented TEP BrightEE Awards today to customers and contractors that took advantage of TEP’s cost-effective energy efficiency (EE) programs to achieve significant energy savings.

The TEP BrightEE (pronounced “brighty”) Awards highlight the benefits of EE programs that have helped TEP customers save more than 641,000 megawatt-hours — enough energy to power nearly 62,000 homes for a year. These savings help TEP work toward the goals in Arizona’s Energy Efficiency Standard, which calls on utilities to achieve cumulative energy savings of 22 percent by 2020.

“This year’s TEP BrightEE award recipients realized remarkable energy savings through our energy efficiency programs,” said David G. Hutchens, TEP’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “They offer great examples of how TEP can help customers achieve their energy saving goals.”

This year’s winners, selected by TEP’s energy efficiency team, include:

• Commercial Contractor — Monrad Engineering: Monrad Engineering designs and installs energy-efficient lighting systems. Notable projects include installation of an exterior light-emitting diode (LED) system at the Tucson International Airport, two residence halls at the University of Arizona and a custom lighting system with advanced daylight controls at Tucson High School. The company’s installations resulted in savings of more than 1.7 million kilowatt hours (kWh).
• Residential Contractor — Green Valley Cooling & Heating: Green Valley Cooling & Heating is a strong promoter of heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) incentives available to TEP customers. In addition to traditional HVAC services, the company offers efficiency testing on existing HVAC systems and duct pressure testing to discover potential air leakage.
• Government Entity — Davis-Monthan Air Force Base: Davis-Monthan, a participant in TEP EE programs since 2010, installed efficient chillers, air conditioners, and heat pumps in 2014. Davis-Monthan also replaced inefficient bulbs with compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) and LED bulbs in buildings and hangars and installed LED bulbs on its air field. These improvements produced energy savings last year of more than 1 million kWh.
• Large Business — Tucson Airport Authority: The Airport Authority replaced more than 500 inefficient exterior bulbs — including some that used as much as 1,000 watts — with efficient LED fixtures at its rental car garage, turn-around area, economy parking lot and payment canopy. To achieve greater energy savings, it reduced lighting hours and lighting levels. This was one of the largest projects completed in 2014, resulting in energy savings of more than 1.5 million kWh. The Tucson Airport Authority also participates in TEP DemandSmart, a direct load control program for commercial customers that voluntarily reduce their usage during periods of high electric usage.
• Small Business — Eegee’s: Eegee’s, participating in TEP EE programs for the first time, replaced several lighting fixtures with more efficient lamps in several restaurants, resulting in energy savings of more than 150,000 kWh.
• School District — Amphitheater Public Schools: The Amphitheater district installed efficient chillers and HVAC equipment, variable frequency drives, controls, lighting and room occupancy controls in several schools. Seven district schools also participate in the TEP DemandSmart program.
• Non-Profit Organization — Habitat for Humanity: Habitat for Humanity homes are designed and built to incorporate principles of energy efficiency and sustainability. HVAC systems are designed to meet federal government Energy Star specifications, and all Tucson homes contain CFL and LED bulbs. TEP is a strong supporter of Habitat for Humanity, donating volunteer time and thousands of dollars each year to support the organization.
• Chamber of Commerce — Marana Chamber of Commerce: In June, TEP and the Marana Chamber of Commerce teamed up to host the Marana Energy Efficiency Expo. Since then, the chamber has encouraged members to participate in TEP’s EE programs. The chamber holds an annual community meeting where residents and community stakeholders can learn about sustainability and energy-efficient practices.
• Homebuilder — D.R. Horton: Founded in 1978, D.R. Horton is a top national builder and a proud participant in TEP’s Energy Smart Homes program. The company built nearly 240 energy efficient homes in TEP’s service territory last year.
• Lifetime Contribution to Residential Energy Efficiency — Ted Bednar: TJ Bednar Homes, founded in 1976 by Ted Bednar, has participated in TEP’s residential new construction programs for more than 15 years. As an early adopter of new energy efficiency standards and techniques, Bednar has been an industry leader and supporter of building science and best practices for building energy efficient homes in Tucson’s residential housing market.

Like all TEP customers, this year’s TEP BrightEE Award winners benefited from customer-funded programs that were reviewed and approved by the Arizona Corporation Commission. The programs have been proven to be cost-effective for all customers — not just those who participate — by reducing TEP’s long-term need for new energy resources. They also reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, resulting in reduced air emissions and water usage.

TEP offers programs that help bring down the cost of energy-efficient CFLs, pumps, motors and HVAC equipment. Other programs offer incentives for the energy-efficient design and construction of new residential and commercial buildings.

Later this year, TEP will begin offering new energy efficiency choices like discounted LED lighting, appliance recycling and financial incentives for efficient pool pumps. Additional details about these programs will be available later this year on tep.com.

Tucson Electric Power provides safe, reliable electric service to approximately 414,000 customers in southern Arizona. For more information, visit tep.com.