(Nashville) -- Temple Dor Dorim, a Weston, Fla. synagogue, was, like many non-profit organizations in these economic times, seeking ways to cut expenses to make its dollars go farther. When the synagogue installed energy saving technology that dropped its electric bills nearly 28 percent, it was like a gift from above.

Energy Automation Systems, Inc. (EASI), developed and manufactured the energy saving technologies that helped Temple Dor Dorim. In a serious economic situation in which non-profits are facing budget pressures as contributions are squeezed, energy savings has a money-saving effect and an environmental advantage.

“We were ecstatic to find that in our first month after the work was completed our estimated kilowatt hours per day were reduced by 27.8 percent from the same month in the previous year,” said Howard Chess, synagogue executive director. “In these economic times, any dollar saved is a benefit.”

Evidence shows that non-profit contributions are in decline, giving added incentive to non-profits to find new ways to save money for operations and services.
 A news release on a reduction in charitable giving issued June 10, 2009 by the Giving USA Foundation said, in part: “The 2008 number is the first decline in giving in current dollars since 1987 and the second since Giving USA began publishing annual reports in 1956, says the annual report on philanthropy, released today for the 54th year by Giving USA Foundation.”

There are increasing pressures and discussions in Congress about limiting tax deductions for charitable contributions, which could affect donations even further. The Chronicle of Philanthropy reported on Sept. 23, 2009 that, “Some Senate Finance Committee members have resurrected the idea of limiting tax breaks for charitable donations as a way to raise money to overhaul the health-care system.”

With these pressures, energy savings are more important than ever, for economic and environmental reasons, said Joe Merlo, Energy Automation Systems, Inc. (EASI) founder and chief executive officer.

“Non-profits need help,” Merlo said. “As our experience with Temple Dor Dorim shows, energy savings means dollar savings.”

EASI technologies are applied to a facility’s entire electrical system, thus achieving guaranteed energy reductions.

“Energy Reductions Solutions, Inc. was our EASI affiliate that worked with Temple Dor Dorim, and after analyzing its electrical system Energy Reductions Solutions guaranteed a 15 percent energy savings when our technologies were installed.

“The actual savings was close to 28 percent, but if it had been below 15 percent, the difference would have been paid through our guarantee, backed by Lloyd’s of London,” Merlo said. EASI technologies have a 20-to-30-year lifecycle, and purchase and installation can be achieved through energy savings.”
As Mr. Chess of Temple Dor Dorim said, “We expected that our savings on our electric bill would be greater than our lease payments. Based upon our current results it appears we will exceed our expectations.”

This savings goes to the bottom line of non-profit and religious organizations, Merlo said.

“These people and their organizations are doing important work that affects, improves and uplifts the lives of the people they touch,” said Merlo. “EASI can help them have an even bigger impact through energy conservation and savings, and we’re proud of that.”