Alliance to Save Energy - Promoting Energy Efficiency World Wide: News: Industry Leaders Interview: William Cutler

Water efficiency and conservation is a hot-button topic. The Alliance chatted with William Cutler, President of Niagara Conservation, to discuss his approaches to energy efficiency and the role Niagara has played in this Cutler process—from manufacturing innovations to education. Niagara Conservation has been a leading manufacturer of high efficiency residential water products and proponent of energy efficiency for over 30 years.

e-FFICIENCY NEWS: Do you think enough attention has been given to water conservation and the link between water efficiency and helping consumers save money?

William Cutler: I think that some attention has been given to the fact that water conservation helps people save money; however, there is certainly room to educate the public, especially when you take into consideration low-income residents who could use the extra help.

e-FFICIENCY NEWS: Niagara Conservation has been promoting energy efficiency for almost 30 years. Can you talk about the history of the company and its focus on energy efficiency as well as the “turnkey conservation solutions” technologies that Niagara Conservation has incorporated into its products?

William Cutler: In 1977, driven by a vision to manufacture products that save natural resources, I established Niagara Conservation Corporation. We manufactured a low-flow showerhead called the Niagara showerhead as well as other residential weatherization products for the newly developing utility conservation program market. As the industry matured, we saw a need in the marketplace to deliver easy-to-implement turnkey conservation programs and services. Whether it is implementing a direct fulfillment program with energy conservation kits for energy utilities, or direct delivery of our Flapperless Toilets for water utilities, Niagara Conservation has made conserving easy for the last 28 years.

e-FFICIENCY NEWS: Niagara manufactures many different energy saving products. What is your most energy-efficient and popular product and why?

William Cutler: I would say that the most energy-efficient product we manufacture is the low-flow pre-rinse valve that is used for commercial dishwashing. Each one of these valves can save around 335 therms of natural gas per year – and these are conservative estimates. Energy utilities in California, Washington, and now Oregon are implementing retrofit programs. As these programs continue, this product is sure to become one of our most popular items.

e-FFICIENCY NEWS: Do you think enough attention has been given to water conservation and the link between water efficiency and helping consumers save money?

William Cutler: I think that some attention has been given to the fact that water conservation does help people save money; however, there is certainly room to educate the public about the many ways they can save money. This is especially true when you take into consideration low-income residents who could use the extra help.

e-FFICIENCY NEWS: How has Niagara increased awareness and demonstrated the savings of water efficiency?

William Cutler: A major focus of our business is to help utilities educate their customers to the importance of conservation. Whether it is through outreach efforts in public schools (such as the Energy Hog Campaign) or community Earth Day Events, Niagara provides the necessary tools to make educating the public about conservation easy. Beyond providing water and energy conservation products and solutions to utilities, Niagara Conservation has been active with the Alliance to Save Energy and the AWWA (American Water Works Association) to spread the word about conservation.

e-FFICIENCY NEWS: Can you share some other examples where Niagara has succeeded in implementing energy and water savings either domestically or overseas?

William Cutler: Niagara Conservation continues to successfully bring our conservation products and services to utilities throughout North America and around the world. In fact, we have a technology partner called Flapperless, Inc. in Toronto to meet the growing demand for conservation products in Canada. It is clear that water and energy conservation is a global issue. Beyond North America, we are working with government agencies in some of the driest regions of the world to help local communities stretch their natural resources as far as possible.

e-FFICIENCY NEWS: Where do you think the Alliance to Save Energy could be most effective in helping Niagara to increase the energy efficiency commitment and understanding in the water sector?

William Cutler: I believe that the Alliance’s effort in “Watergy” will prove to be an outstanding success. It has become evident that we cannot think of energy conservation without thinking of water conservation. Niagara Conservation has made it a goal to bridge the gap between the work done by water and energy utilities. It is our belief that the more these utilities work together to accomplish their common goals, the more successful we will all become. These two issues are intertwined, and as the Alliance continues to focus on the idea of “Watergy” this relationship will become even more apparent.