Rick McNeal, owner of Ranchwood Veterinary Hospital in south Oklahoma City, realized he had an expensive problem.
"I knew I was hemorrhaging a large amount of money in energy costs," he said. "I was paying about $1,600 every month."
So McNeal had an energy audit on the about 4,000-square-foot veterinary hospital at 10505 S. Santa Fe Ave.
The audit resulted in a series of environmentally friendly and energy-efficiency initiatives at the veterinary hospital, including the installation of solar panels, radiant barriers, solar attic fans and new insulation.
The solar panels were installed earlier this month by Sun City Solar of Oklahoma City.
During the first week with 10 solar panels in operation the veterinary clinic saved 76.7 kilowatt-hours of energy use, McNeal said. When the entire system is operational, it will include 22 solar panels.
NcNeal said he has long been concerned with environmental issues.
"The environment has been an obsession with me since I was a child," he said.
He became concerned about the environmental effect of the clinic after he purchased Ranchwood Veterinary Hospital in 2005.
"I realized I could serve as an example to other people," he said. "Solar power is a logical extension of being a good steward of the environment and sets an example for my employees and the community."
Other energy-efficiency efforts include replacing florescent lights in most of the veterinary clinic.
"We went from 3,200 watts of lighting in the office area to 320 watts," he said.
McNeal also installed an Ecobee Smart Thermostat, allowing him to monitor and control the temperature from remote locations. He is considering seeking LEED - Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design - certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.
The building was in need of energy modifications when he purchased the veterinary hospital five years ago, McNeal said.
What is now home of Ranchwood Veterinary Hospital was built for residential use in the 1960s, but has been used as an animal clinic and the clinic's Pet Resort for three decades. The need for improvements only increased since the veterinary office was constructed for residential use and not a veterinary clinic and because of its age.
Early improvements after McNeal purchased the building and veterinary hospital included tasks as simple as caulking and plugging holes, he said.
Although he qualified for federal tax incentives, McNeal said installing the solar panels and other energy-efficiency initiatives was an environment decision - not a financial decision.
"When I retire it may have paid for itself or it might not have paid for itself," he said. "Either way it was the right decision at this time."
A native of Moore, McNeal developed an interest in becoming a veterinarian early.
"I remember driving by here when I was a kid and telling my parents I wanted to be a veterinarian," he said.
He attended Moore public schools and graduated from Westmoore High School in 1990. His wife, Tera, was his high school sweetheart.
McNeal received an associate degree from Oklahoma City Community College in 1991 and a bachelor's degree in zoology from Oklahoma State University in 1993. He earned his doctor of veterinary medicine degree from OSU in 1998 and worked as a veterinarian in south Oklahoma City, Midwest City, Norman and Newcastle before buying Ranchwood Veterinary Hospital in 2005.
The clinic has 12 employees, including three veterinarians in addition to McNeal. The facility includes a pet boarding area. What was the backyard for the house is divided into exercise areas for dogs at Ranchwood Veterinary Hospital's Pet Resort and pets coming for day-care services.
Other services include grooming, bathing, behavioral medicine, dental care, emergency care, a pharmacy and surgery.
McNeal said all the energy-efficiency and environmental improvements have been worth the expense and effort.
"I would do it all over again for sure," he said.
Author: David Page
No comments:
Post a Comment