Do you know how much it costs to run your vending machine? The average machine costs about $300 a year for electricity.

Cut your bill almost in half (reduce by 46%) with the simple installation of a little energy miser device on the vending machine. The device is called a Vending Miser, and includes a motion sensor to tell the machine when to kick on because someone nearby might be thirsty and when to kick off because it is nighttime and no one is around.

Energy Campaign Spearheaded by CERT

The Power Miser pays for itself in 8 to 16 months by saving you about $130/year, but if you want to save money on the device, then you can order through CERT's bulk buy program. Instead of $179, you can save $15 by ordering through CERT since they have surpassed the bulk order threshold of more than 200 devices. The units are cheaper for adjacent machines, as well. Check the CERT's website for full pricing info and ordering instructions.

Launched in 2003, Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs) is a non-profit organization in Minnesota that serves as an umbrella conservation group "connecting people with the technical resources needed to identify and implement community-scale energy efficiency and clean energy projects."

Ramsey County Offices to Cut Energy Costs with the Vending Misers

Ramsey County is on board with the campaign, exhibiting leadership in energy conservation:

“Ramsey County is excited about the opportunity to try out this new product. Given the number of vending machines in Ramsey County offices and specialty buildings throughout the County, the energy savings potential from this device is tremendous. Ramsey County has always been a leader in energy conservation and this is one more opportunity for us to cut our energy use while maintaining a consistent product for our clients, our visitors and our staff.” – Bruce Thompson, Assistant Director, Ramsey County Property Management

Participate by May 1st to Get Discount Through CERTs

The bulk buy program is coordinated through CERTs and the threshold of 200 units has been reached. However, there is another threshold at 500, and you can be a part of that! You have to order by May 1st to get in on this discount, as businesses, schools and counties are anxious to get started saving money on their utility bills.

Lissa Pawlisch, Statewide Coordinator for the Clean Energy Resource Teams insists "This is your chance to take action and save big."

Participants of Clean Energy Resource Teams & EnergyMisers, LLC VendingMiser Bulk-Buy Program

Here are just a few of the excited participants in the program to save energy, save money, and green the state:

Bowlmor Lanes Inc. David Pederson, President of Bowlmor Lanes Inc. in Fairmont, justifies his participation in the program as a "way to save on my electric cost without a large investment.”

Ramsey County

Hibbing Community College

City of Saint Peter. Todd Prafke, City Administrator states, "The City of Saint Peter is happy to participate in the VendingMiser Campaign from CERTS as a way to lower energy costs in City buildings for our taxpayers. We believe so strongly in the program that we have been spreading word about the campaign to all our local businesses and organizations and encouraging them to place their orders for the VendingMiser."

Ortonville High School Local Environmental Focus Team (LEFT)

City of East Grand Forks “I was excited to see the implementation of the VendingMiser Campaign, because I think installing these devices on vending machines is a great way to save energy by helping control the number of hours that the vending machines run. As the Customer and Energy Services Mgr for the Water and Light Department in East Grand Forks, MN I thought this was a great time to implement our own Energy Miser Rebate Program, so our Commission approved our rebate program for $50.00/VendingMiser and I sent the information for both programs out to our commercial customers ASAP so that they could take advantage of them and order VendingMisers for all of their qualifying vending machines.” – Bonnie Abel, Customer & Energy Services Manager, East Grand Forks Water and Light

Bemidji State University

More Information about CERTs

The Clean Energy Resource Teams connect Minnesotans with resources to identify and implement energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. CERTs is made up of community members across Minnesota who share a bold vision for Minnesota's energy future: to foster strong communities, to create local jobs, and to develop clean and reliable energy from clean sources. CERTs is a partnership of the University of Minnesota's Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships, the Green Institute, Southwest Regional Development Commission, The Minnesota Project, and the Minnesota Department of Commerce, Office of Energy Security.

Resources:

Some utilities also offer a $50 rebate to help subsidize the upfront purchase of the VendingMiser.