---
title: How YMCA Facilities Achieved Energy Savings
description: For generations, the YMCA has maintained facilities and run programs that help people, families, and communities grow, learn, and thrive. That takes tireless dedication, but it also takes lots of ener
image: https://blog.budderfly.com/hubfs/Blog-YMCAWorksOut.png
---
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Jun 22, 2021
# YMCA Works Out Energy Efficiency Challenges with Budderfly
For generations, the YMCA has maintained facilities and run programs that help people, families, and communities grow, learn, and thrive. That takes tireless dedication, but it also takes lots of energy for lighting, heating, air conditioning, and other vital systems. Every dollar spent paying the utility bills is a dollar that could be going towards staff, equipment, and other priorities that keep the Y going strong. That’s why the energy-saving, facility-upgrading, zero-expense solution that Budderfly created for the YMCA of Southwest Kansas has been such a game-changer.
**A GREAT PLACE WITH BIG NEEDS**
The YMCA of Southwest Kansas is where people discover who they are and all that they can be. The 68,000 square foot facility welcomes 6,000 registered members, with an additional 22,000 guests per year who participate in over 91 programs, with over 74,000 check-ins per year. Clearly, a lot of people count on this amazing organization, but the facility also had some serious challenges.
Their facilities were in bad need of modernization, their carbon footprint was in need of a good shrinking, and their energy using systems required frequent maintenance just to keep operating normally. Most significantly, keeping this amazing place brightly lit and climate-controlled for their members, guests, and staff was consuming over 11,000kWh each month. Any changes in budget that would allocate more funds to energy efficiency upgrades or HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) replacement would cut funds for the vital programs and member services that are the core of the Y’s mission. Slow, incremental fixes and adjustments over the course of decades seemed to be their only option.
**THE REVOLUTIONARY SOLUTION**
Fortunately, the YMCA isn’t the only organization with an important mission. Budderfly’s commitment to saving businesses and the environment by saving energy has made them the fastest-growing firm in the Energy Efficiency as a Service (EEaaS) industry. The company’s Budderfly EnergyCloud solution was created to provide commercial and institutional facilities with comprehensive energy efficiency transformations and ongoing operational improvements, all adapted to the specific needs of their customers and all at no risk and zero out-of-pocket costs.
After an initial free assessment, Budderfly provided 100% of the capital, devices, and labor to implement a comprehensive Budderfly EnergyCloud efficiency and energy management upgrade. “For the capital investment, we would have been doing this for 10 to 12 years to do what Budderfly did for us in a matter of 3 weeks,” said Chad Knight, YMCA of Southwest Kansas’ CEO.
What exactly did Budderfly do in those 3 weeks?
- Retrofitting recessed fixtures.
- Retrofitting surface mount fluorescent fixtures.
- Replacing high-bay fixtures with new, high-efficiency LED fixtures.
- Installing NexRev Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) on 6 HVAC units.
- Installing HVAC chips in 7 units to regulate performance and extend the units’ lifecycle.
“It was a no-brainer for my committee because we had nothing to lose,” Knight adds. “Budderfly came up with the capital investment, it was just a huge benefit to have the money put up front for us to make a difference in our facility \[and\] make a difference for our members.”
**THE BENEFITS: A BRIGHTER, HEALTHIER FUTURE FOR THE Y**
But Budderfly EnergyCloud is more than just a one-time makeover; it’s an adaptive, ongoing solution that includes monitoring and management of energy usage, and it changes everything about the way customers save and pay for energy.
As soon as the contract was signed, Budderfly began installation and assumed responsibility for the YMCA’s electric and gas payments. Instead of receiving these utility bills each month, Budderfly sends the YMCA a simple, consolidated monthly bill showing usage and ongoing savings, along with detailed operational analytics.
**A TRUE WIN-WIN: NO CATCH, NO HIDDEN DETAILS**
Many prospective customers look at Budderfly EnergyCloud and think it seems too good to be true. But it’s very real. Budderfly is able to finance and deliver impressive contractual benefits to the Y (and to create their own profits) because their unique technology and energy management expertise generate such large energy savings.
How large, exactly? The YMCA’s Budderfly EnergyCloud solution reduces energy consumption and related emissions by approximately 30%. A portion of the money saved goes back to the YMCA in the form of facility improvements, 24/7/365 management, maintenance services, and long-term contracted savings. All expenses are covered. Everyone benefits.
If your facility uses energy, you should be talking to Budderfly today. Our Budderfly EnergyCloud solutions are creating savings, operational improvements, and valuable analytical data at thousands of locations, including community centers, restaurants, retail stores, schools, and commercial properties. You can download the complete Case Study Report [here.](https://qa1www.budderfly.com/landing/ymca-eaas)
---
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