Tacoma Power’s Compressed Air Efficiency Program is available to all commercial and industrial customers with functioning compressed air systems within our service territory. New or planned compressed air systems may be eligible for specific efficient equipment technology incentives.

Businesses who participate in the Compressed Air Program will experience these benefits:

• Save money on annual electricity costs
• Reduced maintenance costs and unplanned down-time
• Quieter sound levels in the plant environment

• Comprehensive training
• Demand-side assessment
• Supply-side assessments
• Efficient equipment incentives

Comprehensive training

• Offered by Tacoma Power
• For both plant employees and equipment vendors.
• Conducted by certified Compressed Air Challenge™ (CAC) instructors. CAC is an independent, non-profit collaborative organization funded by the Department of Energy, with no commercial bias.
• Both a one-day basic system overview session and a more in-depth two-day curriculum are available.

Demand-side assessment

• Identifies energy and operational savings available by addressing air leaks and inappropriate compressed air use.
• Tacoma Power may fund 50 percent of the approved cost of a demand-side assessment.
• Before funds will be released for the study, the following conditions must be met:
  • The customer must submit a written proposal outlining the scope of work and total study cost to Tacoma Power prior to beginning work. Tacoma Power must approve the total study cost.
  • A written contract between the customer and Tacoma Power must be in place prior to beginning all work.
  • The demand-side assessment must meet Tacoma Power’s program requirements.
  • The customer must make all cost-effective repairs to leaks identified in the assessment and must continue to repair the identified leaks for at least one year.

Supply-side assessments

• To identify equipment efficiency strategies
• Tacoma Power publishes guidelines for conducting supply-side assessments for compressed air systems. These guidelines provide engineering consultants, equipment vendors and customers with detailed requirements for identifying and documenting accurate energy and operational savings opportunities in compressed air systems. The analysis results can be used by customers to apply for efficient equipment incentives. Tacoma Power does not fund this study.

Efficient equipment incentives

• For efficient compressed air system technologies, such as variable speed compressors, efficient compressor controls with air storage, and distribution modifications such as piping and high-efficiency air nozzles.
• Based on 12 cent per annual kilowatt-hour saved up to 50% of the approved project cost, with a minimum of 1 year simple payback period (with incentive).
• Main requirements:
  • A compressed air systems analysis meeting Tacoma Power’s Demand-Side Assessment and Supply-Side Assessment requirements must be performed, and reports submitted and approved by Tacoma Power.
  • A written contract between the customer and Tacoma Power must be in place prior to beginning all work.
  • Projects must be inspected and invoices submitted to Tacoma Power.
  • Energy savings must be verified by pre-installation and post-installation monitoring.
  • The customer must agree to maintain all major equipment and conduct periodic air leak audits and leak repairs for a minimum of three years after installation.

If you are a commercial and industrial Tacoma Power customer with functioning compressed air systems within our service territory, you can apply for the Compressed Air program by:

• Download the Compressed Air Program application form
• Complete the form and fax it to (253) 502-8276 or mail it to:

Tacoma Power
Energy Services 4th Floor
3628 South 35th Street
Tacoma, WA 98409

• A Tacoma Power representative will schedule an on-site visit to discuss program highlights and participation requirements.

All Tacoma Power funding and incentives are contingent on the availability of program funds. Tacoma Power may modify or end the program without prior notice.

Download Compressed Air Program brochure.

For more information call (253) 502-8619 or e-mail power@cityoftacoma.org.