Edward Meyer

Meyer Congratulates Brandfon Honda on Energy-Efficiency Project

BRANFORD—State Sen. Ed Meyer (D-Guilford), the Senate Chairman of the Environment Committee, today helped recognize Brandfon Honda owner Jeffrey Brandfon with a plaque acknowledging the energy-efficiency upgrades he undertook through Connecticut’s Small Business Energy Advantage Program—upgrades which will save the dealership more than $1,000 per month in electricity costs while removing carbon from the atmosphere equivalent to 89 automobiles.

“Through your participation in this program, you’ve made Brandfon Honda a more environmentally friendly business, you’ve reduced your energy bills and you’ve helped employ people who work in Connecticut’s green industries,” Sen. Meyer said. ‘I’m so pleased with the initiative that your business has shown.”

“This was a no-brainer,” Jeffrey Brandfon said. “There is a significant savings on cost and energy use.”

Earlier this year, Brandfon Honda took part in the Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund’s (CEEF) Small Business Advantage Program and took advantage of the zero-percent financing offered. Brandfon replaced its showroom interior, metal-halide lighting with induction lighting; replaced 38 parking lot metal halide light fixtures with induction lighting; installed occupancy motion sensors in interior offices, storage areas and the lunchroom; and replaced individual office lighting with fewer (but higher-efficiency) fluorescent lighting.

With the upgrades, the dealership’s annual electricity savings is estimated to be $12,824 per year. It will use 92,124 fewer kilowatts of electricity, enough to power 11 homes. The new lighting is also expected to last 10-15 years, as opposed to the 3-5 year lifespan of the metal halide lights, thereby reducing Brandfon’s maintenance and replacement costs.

The engraved plaque notes Brandfon’s “environmental stewardship and outstanding commitment to energy efficiency.”

CEEF Chairman Rich Steeves said legislators believed businesses like Brandfon would achieve significant energy and cost savings when they implemented the CEEF program over a decade ago. Steeves also praised Sen. Meyer for fighting to maintain funding for the CEEF in the wake of the legislature’s use of some of its funding for general state budget purposes.

“The intention of legislators back in 1998 was to do exactly what we did for you: save money to make a better business for yourself and your customers,” Steeves said. “There seems to be a belief by some legislators—not Senator Meyer—that this money can be used for purposes other than for what it was intended. Senator Meyer tried his best this year to have legislators not take this money away to help with the budget deficit.”

For more information on the CT Energy Efficiency Fund, and how homeowners and businesses can apply for and reap its benefits, please visit: www.ctenergyinfo.com.