Humane Society of Chittenden County

Saving $1,000 per Year from Energy Improvements

By N. R. Mallery

The Humane Society of Chittenden County, in South Burlington, VT shelters as many as 90 companion animals on any given day. Hot and cold days make a very real impact on the comfort of both the animals and the people in the building. With a generous $5,800 grant from Green Mountain Power and a cost share from Efficiency Vermont, in June of this year, HSCC is now saving an estimated 8,089 kWh, 106 cubic feet of natural gas per year, and eliminating 10,600 pounds of carbon emissions each year. HSCC estimates a savings of nearly $1,000 per year in energy costs!

Like many small non-profit organizations that rely exclusively on gifts and grants, HSCC is always looking for ways to save money. Improving the energy efficiency of its South Burlington shelter was an important investment to lower the organization’s overhead costs and keep its precious residents warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

“We wanted to do the right thing for our animals, for our environment and for our operating budget. But having the up-front cash to do this work was prohibitive,” said Nancy Cathcart, President and CEO, Humane Society of Chittenden County.

Each year Green Mountain Power selects a not-for-profit organization in Vermont to offer financial support for efficiency services and upgrades. Thus, with support from Efficiency Vermont and GMP, HSCC contracted with Vermont Heating and Ventilating of Winooski to install four Catalyst Advanced controllers located on the rooftop. In the days following the retrofit, HSCC realized a 20% drop in power usage.

The HSCC located at 142 Kindness Court, South Burlington, VT is a private and independent 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization. They serve both Chittenden and Grand Isle Counties fulfilling their mission to foster compassionate treatment of animals and to prevent animal suffering by sheltering homeless and unwanted pets, timely efforts to place each animal in a responsible and caring home, animal cruelty investigation, feral cat colony management (TNR); and humane education.

HSCC receives no government funding, and is not affiliated with a national organization. They rely almost entirely upon donations from individuals, corporations and foundations to meet the annual $850,000 cost of running the shelter. To learn more visit chittendenhumane.org or call them at 802-862-0135.