From the CEO's Desk

So many times I hear others express the desire to "Make a difference in the World" and wonder how could I become one of those people.  For over three decades I have run my own businesses, and while that is rewarding in its self, these businesses have not exactly made a big impression on many outside of my own circle.  For the past 20 years my company, Glentronics, Inc., has invented, patented and manufactured battery backup sump pumps.  In the past three years primary sump pumps have been added to our line.  I feel great joy when I hear from people who avoided a flooded basement because of our products. For those people, I have made a difference.   Now, I believe that I am on the verge of really making a true contribution to society.

In the course of developing a better primary sump pump, I realized that by utilizing permanent split capacitor (PSC) motors there is a tremendous amount of electrical  energy that can be saved.  This superior design allows sump pumps to pump more water while using 1/3 to 1/2 the electricity of the commonly used pump.  This becomes a big deal when applied to the millions of sump pumps used in the USA.  A study was done to determine how much energy could be saved if all sump pumps were built like Glentronics’ pumps.  The answer was that over 330,000 homes could be powered for a year with the saved electricity.  That will save the average homeowner $50 to $80 per year in electric costs.  Unfortunately, the sump pump is a forgotten appliance and has not been identified as category for study by the EPA's Department of Energy and it's Energy Star certification.  Without a guideline, pump users can not make an easy comparison.

This is where I hope to make a difference.  I have appealed to the EPA to study the differences between sump pumps and the electrical energy they consume.  When they do, the result will be that pumps that use PSC motors will be the choice for receiving the Energy Star certification.  Then purchasers of sump pumps will have a trusted guideline and will be able to make a wise decision, an energy efficient decision.

In 2008, I joined the PHCC Legislative Conference that marched in Washington DC to promote energy efficiency.  I met with staff from my Congressman, Mark Kirk, Illinois 10th district, for support.  At my request they had already contacted the EPA on my behalf, and together we presented a request for consideration of my proposal.  The EPA commented that Glentronics was the only company to ever request the Energy Star certification for sump pumps. 

Now I am asking for your support to join me in requesting that the EPA's Department of Energy include sump pumps as a category of appliances that deserve Energy Star choices.  You can contact the Environmental Protection Agency at:

US EPA
ENERGY STAR Hotline (6202J)
Products Specifications Team
1200 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington, DC 20460

You can also contact your Congressperson and Senators and ask them to encourage the EPA to address this issue.  Recent statements from the ACEEE (American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy) indicate that now, since most common appliances have been reviewed for Energy Star, the lesser known appliances are next for study.  The sooner we can bring sump pumps to their attention, the sooner we can get recognized by the Energy Star program, which means a clear choice for consumers when it comes to energy efficient sump pumps.

With your help we can all make a "difference in the world."

Alan Schulman
President/CEO
Glentronics, Inc.