Energy Efficiency Takes-Off at the Honolulu International ... - Heco.com

Hawai’i is highly dependent on imported fuel forits energy and transportation needs. In 2008, theUS has seen energy pricing rise to record levelswith oil prices breaking the $100/barrel threshold.As a result, gasoline prices have increased and thecost to drive a car to work, school, or the store isbecoming a significant monthly expense. Withless available spending money, many localresidents are forced to control their spendingand cut costs to cope with a higher cost of living.Energy conservation is becoming more important.People are planning their trips to the store morecarefully. Some are carpooling or taking masstransit alternatives. Others are considering buyinga fuel efficient hybrid rather than a large SUV. Inthe home, compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) arereplacing incandescent light bulbs. Openwindows or fans are cooling homes instead ofrunning the air conditioning units.Energy Efficiency Tipsto help LowerEnergy Bill and Benefit theEnvironmentRising fuel costs, higher operating expenses andincreasing concerns of global warming haveprompted many large companies to focus onenergy conservation through energy efficiencyimprovements as one way to control expensesand improve profits. These companies realize thatenergy efficiency improvements are the only wayto control energy costs. With energy prices risingeach year and increasing concerns of globalwarming from carbon emissions, efficiencyimprovements and energy conservation measuresare the least-cost options to managing energycosts. Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc. (HECO)and its subsidiaries Hawaii Electric Light Company(HELCO) and Maui Electric Company (MECO)are supportive of energy efficiency improvementsby providing rebate programs for localbusinesses and residents. Since the launch ofHECO’s Energy$olutions SM for Business rebateprograms, over $27 million dollars have been paidto customers who have implemented energyefficiency improvements. Energy efficiency saved402 million kilowatt hours of energy or almost670,000 barrels of oil that would have been usedby our power plants every year.4