Volunteers of America Goes Green With Direct Install

As a major nonprofit that provides programs and shelter for senior citizens, homeless families and children and those dealing with addiction and mental health issues, Volunteers of America Delaware Valley (VOADV) needs to ensure that its clients and employees are in a comfortable environment.  When it became clear that outdated HVAC equipment needed to be replaced, VOADV turned to Hutchinson Mechanical Services for advice on how to keep its clients comfortable, reduce energy consumption while improving its bottom line.

Hutchinson, a participating contractor for Direct Install from New Jersey’s Clean Energy Program, installed a massive lighting retrofit and upgraded HVAC systems in several buildings. Through the program, Direct Install paid 70 percent of the cost of energy efficiency upgrades.

Hutchinson started the process by providing a free energy assessment in all of VOADV’s buildings to identify eligible equipment, including lighting upgrades, HVAC and more.  According to Larry Ottenberg, director of construction and maintenance for VOADV, “Through Direct Install, we realized considerable energy savings. We also saved significant dollars by upgrading to new energy efficient equipment rather than continuously repairing outdated equipment.”

Hutchinson replaced T-12 lighting with energy efficient T-8 lighting. “As T-12 lighting is being phased out, we would need to change it out eventually so it was a no brainer to upgrade through Direct Install,” said Ottenberg.

To top it off, VOADV also received additional funding from The Camden POWER Grant Program, a Department of Energy funded program designed to finance eligible energy efficiency upgrades. The program paid 30% of retrofit costs. In all, VOADV received $380,000 through Direct Install and Camden Power.

“Through Direct Install and the Camden Power Grant Program, our financial contribution was zero dollars for these upgrades,” said Ottenberg. “It sounds too good be true… but it is!”

“VOADV wouldn’t be able to afford the HVAC repairs and lighting upgrades if it weren’t for Direct Install and a match from Camden power. Company-wide these programs easily saved us six figures. Prior to upgrading to clean energy, I researched ongoing repair costs for our outdated HVAC equipment and one building alone could cost $50,000.”

Due to the extreme savings, VOADV was able to afford additional upgrades for a building automation system – enabling a proactive approach on maintenance in which temperatures can be adjusted offsite via a mobile device or computer.

VOADV has more plans for energy efficient upgrades, including a workforce training center and the Garrett House, a women’s halfway house. VOADV also changed out additional HVAC units at another building as the older units wouldn’t last through the summer.

Ottenberg noted that VOADV experienced tremendous savings in energy and repair costs plus the added benefit of having a 1-year warranty on equipment. 

“We seek out the latest strategies and technologies to help nonprofits, businesses and facilities reduce energy consumption and improve the bottom line,” said Ed Hutchinson, president, Hutchinson Mechanical Services.  Direct Install’s turn-key solution makes it easy for non-profits and businesses to become more energy efficient, cut expenses and go green.”

For a free energy audit assessment to identify eligible equipment and lighting upgrades, contact Hutchinson at 888-777-4501.

About Hutchinson PHC LLC

Hutchinson is a third-generation family business and trades as Hutchinson Mechanical Services, Hutchinson Plumbing Heating Cooling, and Hutchinson Energy Services and has specialized in commercial and residential mechanical and energy services since 1948. Hutchinson’s technicians are factory trained, NATE certified and are on-call 24/7 365 days a year. Visit www.hutchbiz.com for more information.    Contact Hutchinson at 888-777-4501 to schedule an energy assessment appointment or Dicoordinator@hutchbiz.com.

About VOADV

The Greater Philadelphia regional affiliate of the national Volunteers of America – a nonprofit, faith-based organization founded in 1896 – Volunteers of America Delaware Valley gives hope to more than 13,000 men, women and children annually in Southern and Central New Jersey, Southeastern Pennsylvania, and Delaware. Headquartered in Collingswood, N.J., Volunteers of America Delaware Valley provides a range of programs for senior citizens; homeless families; offenders returning to the community; veterans, and men and women dealing with addiction and mental health issues.