Bascom Maple Farms

October 1, 2018

Acworth, NH

Sweet Success for Maple Syrup Business

Gathering sap from more than 100,000 taps and using reverse osmosis machines to produce 45,000 gallons of maple syrup a year consumes a great deal of energy. That’s why energy efficiency is critical to Bascom Maple Farms’ bottom line. Since 2011, the company has worked with NHSaves and its utility partner, New Hampshire Electric Co-op, to install energy-saving measures that would keep the sugar flowing and the electric bills low.

Lighting The Way

In 2011, the farm worked with NHEC to install energy-saving measures that are saving 177,577 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per year. Since 2018, three projects have resulted in nearly $35,000 in rebates from NHSaves’ Commercial & Industrial Retrofit Program. LED lighting and controls were installed last year in the farm’s newest building, while a lighting retrofit in another building replaced T8 fluorescents with LEDs. Another energy-efficiency measure taken was installing high-efficiency air source heat pumps to heat and cool the office space.

“The LED lighting seemed like a no-brainer,” owner Kevin Bascom said.

“We’re always looking for ways to help our members thrive and succeed,” said NHEC President/CEO Steve Camerino. “Maple sugaring is a great New Hampshire tradition and we’re proud to help a family business that’s been doing it for more than 160 years.”