By By Adam Prestridge
A burden was lifted off Atmore Area YMCA executive director Tammy Graham's shoulders Wednesday morning.
Alabama Power Company market specialist Rudd Schultze and Atmore business office manager Peggie Byrd presented Graham with a check for $10,000, which Graham said will be used to replace the Y's aging heating and air units.
"It feels great," Graham said. "It really eases a burden."
The money was made available through the Alabama Power Foundation as part of the Alabama Business Charitable Trust Fund. It is made available to non-profit agencies as part of an energy efficiency program.
"It is wonderful that we can help the local agencies in and around Escambia County. The money is there, so we just make sure to get the message out there, so if they are in a situation like the YMCA they can take advantage of the money allocated for this fund."
According to Graham, the current heating and air unit, which she believes have been in place for nearly three decades old, are not as efficient as ones made today and have been costing the YMCA more money.
"We've got two units now and they are probably close to 30 years old, so we're going to replace those with one bigger unit," Graham said.
Schultz performed an energy efficiency analysis at the YMCA and provided a report for Graham, who turned it in with the agencies grant application.
"As part of the analysis, we look at things to that can be done to improve energy," he said. "I take that information and enter it into a computer program and look at the base building and if you make changes what the savings what are the potential savings."
Graham said Schultz's analysis concluded that with a new heating and air unit the Y could save up to $160 per month.
"The one we've got now, we've got gas going to it for a pilot light," Graham said. "The new one we're getting is a heat pump, so we'll be able to get rid of our gas bill. It's only about five dollars per month, but every little bit helps."
Byrd said if any other non-profit agencies would like to see if they are eligible for assistance call 446-6201.
"The company is glad that we are able to help the local agencies," she said.
Below is Alabama Power's Web site were residential customers can perform their own energy check up: http://www.alabamapower.com/residential/checkup.asp
Commercial customers can manage their accounts through http://www.alabamapower.com/commercialcheckup/