Sparking small-business growth: power companies help businesses improve their energy efficiency.

• Position: EFFICIENCY

When Fitz Smith purchased a 90,000-square-foot textile plant in Bishopville, S.C., in 2001 and converted it into a furniture retail store called Bo Smith Furniture, one of his biggest issues was the buildings outdated lighting. "The fixtures in place were 20-25 years old," he says. "Plus, they were set up for a textile plant versus a retail location. So not only were we wasting a lot of electricity, we weren't showcasing our furniture!'

The lighting company helping Smith recommended an energy-saving program through Duke Energy called Energy Efficiency for Business, and in 2012 Duke came in and did an evaluation of Smith's facility. After replacing lighting and installing motion sensors throughout the store, Smith saw a huge difference. "With the Duke program we went through, we were able to install lighting that highlights the furniture much better along with saving around 35% on our lights bill."

Many small businesses throughout the Carolinas have similar stories, thanks to small business energy-efficiency programs being offered by Duke Energy, Santee Cooper and SCANA. Along with the Energy Efficiency for Business program in which Smith participated, Duke Energy has another program, Small Business Energy Saver. SCE&G, a subsidiary of SCANA, has a program called EnergyWise, and Santee Cooper has Reduce the Use.

The programs replace outdated lighting with more energy-efficient options, install motion detectors, improve refrigeration systems, replace kitchen appliances and take no-cost steps such as using a programmable thermostat. In addition to the savings associated with using more efficient equipment, the programs' appeal comes largely from incentives that cover up to 80% of installation and upgrade costs.

According to Lavita S. Harriford, commercial/industrial program manager for SCE&G, the company has paid out more than $13 million in incentives for about 2,200 different projects since EnergyWise started in 2010. "It's been a very, very successful program," Harriford says.

This fall, SCE&G is rolling out a small business "direct install" program designed to give small businesses a chance to have an energy audit performed at their facility by a qualified contractor, who would then make recommendations to improve energy efficiency and perform some of the recommended installations. "Sometimes small businesses don't know what they need to change out," Harriford says. "We're hoping this small business program will help us pick up on those...