Rural Small Business and Agricultural Energy Assessments

DRI has received a REAP (Rural Energy for America Program) grant from the USDA to conduct energy assessments for rural small businesses. DRI will be focusing on dairies and rural small businesses within 125 miles of Reno, in Northwest Nevada and parts of Northeastern California. The assessment includes an analysis of utility bills, a level II site visit and a final report which will include energy conservation measures (ECM) with an associated financial payback period. The grant covers 75% of the cost of an assessment, leaving the client with a cost of only $240. If you are interested in the program, please fill out the Pre-Audit Questionnaire. Information from the Pre-Audit questionnaire will help DRI determine if there will be a sufficient energy conservation measure to warrant the cost of an energy assessment. Please contact Curt Robbins (775-674-7129) with any questions.

Energy Audit Application

1. Dairy Farm Energy Saving Program: MS Word | Adobe PDF
2. Pre-Assessment questionnaire for rural dairies: MS Word | Adobe PDF
3. Pre-Assessment questionnaire for rural farms and small businesses: MS Word | Adobe PDF

Please send this questionnaire with 1-2 years of energy bills (electric, fuel and water) to: Curt Robbins, DRI, 2215 Raggio Parkway, Reno, NV 89512. You may also e-mail the information to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or fax it to: 775-674-7060.

Energy Pros Energy Savings Database

The DRI is conducting energy savings calculations for windows and attic insulation upgrades performed by Energy Pros Inc. out of Las Vegas, Nevada. Energy Pros Inc. is offering Energy Studies which could result in energy savings up to 50%. More information can be found at the following link:

http://www.energypros.com/energy-study/

Residential Energy Assessments

The DRI Renewable Energy Center (REC) has developed a residential energy audit program. As part of this effort, we are publishing a series of articles to help the homeowner save energy and money and increase comfort, by identifying and implementing cost effective energy saving techniques. These are generally do-it-yourself items that do not require specialized skills or tools.

Energy Audit Articles

The following documents are available for download in PDF format. You will need the free Adobe Reader software to view and print the files.

• Economics of Residential PV Power Systems
• Weatherstrip Doors
• Insulate Garage Doors
• Save Money On Your Lights
• Save Money with Shades and Blinds

Useful Links

• https://www.nvenergy.com/home/saveenergy/rebates/
• http://www.swgas.com/efficiency/nv/residential_equipment.php
• http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/BCP_Reap.html
• http://www1.eere.energy.gov/femp/technologies/eep_eccalculators.html