Questions about Environmentally Friendly Light Fixtures, Wisconsin Energy Rebates and Credits and More!
Below we offer questions and answers on the benefits of energy efficient lighting in Wisconsin and Illinois.
As a Wisconsin Focus on Energy Trade Ally, our process begins with providing a free energy audit in Milwaukee, Madison, or throughout Southeastern Wisconsin. Our analysis will yield your best opportunities for maximum savings. CJM Lighting & Electrical will then break down your monthly expenditures and assess how quickly your lighting upgrade will pay for itself.
Choose CJM Lighting and Electrical for the best value in commercial or industrial energy efficient lights. After our technicians calculate your options, we’ll proceed with a thorough and timely installation of your energy efficient lighting fixtures.
Which Wisconsin Focus on Energy Programs am I eligible for?
Below is an overview of the Wisconsin Focus on Energy programs you may qualify for per the program’s website. If you have any questions please contact CJM Lighting and Electrical. Our technicians are dedicated to ensuring you get the most possible money out of your energy efficient lighting upgrade.
Business Incentive Program
This all encompassing program works with many different businesses that do not qualify for the other business programs. The Business Incentive Program serves farms, businesses, schools, local and non-local governments, industrial (small to medium), and hospitality customers.
ENERGY STAR Lighting
This Program is a retail-based promotion offering markdowns on select ENERGY STAR lighting products and low flow showerheads.
Express Energy Efficiency
Provides the direct installation of free energy savings products in communities throughout Wisconsin.
Multifamily Energy Savings
Improve the energy efficiency of your apartment or condo building.
Chain Stores and Franchises Program
Businesses that have a shared brand, central management, and five or more stores in Wisconsin can save energy and money through this program for chains and franchises. The program is limited to retail, restaurants, grocery and convenience stores.
Large Energy Users Program
Large energy users eligible for this program have an average monthly demand of 1,000 kW of electricity or 100,000 therms of natural gas and have previously been billed $60,000 for electricity, natural gas, or both for all of the customer’s facilities within a participating utility service territory.
Retro-commissioning Program
Customers interested in building retro-commissioning services can find assistance with projects through this program.
Small Business Program
If your business has an average monthly demand of 100 kW or less you can find help with energy efficiency through the Small Business Program.
Design Assistance
The Design Assistance program is for non-residential and multifamily new construction and major renovation projects, providing whole building energy analysis of energy-saving options for design professionals, builders and developers of new buildings in Wisconsin.
How long are these incentives available?
Utility company incentives, like government initiatives, are constantly changing as limited budgets are allocated. If a ban goes through, the positive incentive may be entirely removed while non-compliant companies receive monetary penalties.
With free on-site assessments accurately predicting how long your lighting upgrade will take to generate profit BEYOND paying for itself, you should not hesitate to contact CJM Lighting & Electrical as soon as possible.
What Is Wisconsin Focus On Energy?
Wisconsin Focus On Energy is an incentives program geared around reducing wasteful energy expenditures from outdated, inefficient equipment. Rather than force innovation via widespread bans, these incentives draw from a percentage of utility company profits to incentivize transitions to better technologies.
According to the Wisconsin Focus on Energy website:
Focus on Energy is Wisconsin utilities’ statewide energy efficiency and renewable resource program funded by the state’s investor-owned energy utilities, as required under Wis. Stat. § 196.374(2)(a), and participating municipal and electric cooperative utilities. Focus on Energy has been in existence since 2001.
Focus on Energy works with eligible Wisconsin residents and businesses to install cost-effective energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. Focus on Energy information, resources and financial incentives help to implement energy projects that otherwise would not be completed, or to complete projects sooner than scheduled. Its efforts help Wisconsin residents and businesses manage rising energy costs, promote in-state economic development, protect our environment and control Wisconsin’s growing demand for electricity and natural gas.
Accordingly, we view the Wisconsin Focus On Energy program as an opportunity. These funds are not expected to be permanent. Take advantage of money set aside to upgrade your lighting, lamps, bulbs, ballasts and components by calling CJM today.
How do I legally dispose of my old lamps, bulbs, and ballasts?
Contact CJM Lighting and Electrical and ask about our recycling services. Bulbs, ballasts and lamps may contain federally regulated hazardous wastes which have special rules regarding their disposal. We will help you dispose of your lighting components in the most cost effective manner.
T5, T8, and T12 lamps; what’s the difference anyways?
A word on naming conventions: T5 lamps are labeled as such because they are five-eighths of an inch in diameter. T8 lamps are eight-eighths, or a whole inch. T12 lamps are twelve-eighths, or an inch and a half. The T stands for “tube” or “tubular.”
T12s are considered to be an outdated technology, with measures toward banning their use started by the Department of Energy in 2012. T5s are the latest technology offering the highest energy savings. T5 light bulbs are also extremely durable, saving you time and money on replacement. T8s are an energy efficient, cost effective intermediate bulb.
Call CJM Lighting & Electrical to schedule a free energy audit to assess how much money you will save monthly by upgrading.
What times are available for an industrial or commercial energy audit?
At CJM Lighting & Electrical, we pride ourselves on our availability and our willingness to accommodate YOUR schedule. Contact us online and we will work out the best time for your energy assessment.
What are LED Can Lights?
LED can lights are ceiling mounted, energy efficient lighting components approved by the Wisconsin Focus on Energy program. LED Can Lights use less power, and last years longer, than both fluorescent and incandescent bulbs. While fluorescent lighting can take several minutes to power on completely, LED Can lighting instantly switches on to maximum brightness.
How much does an industrial or commercial energy assessment cost?
FREE! Our Milwaukee electrical contractors will audit your lighting system to discover opportunities for savings. First, we will analyze your monthly expenditures. Next, we will provide an accurate assessment of how quickly your new energy efficient lighting system will pay for itself. Afterwards, you’ll save money on your utility bill every month.
What is LED lighting and why is it superior to other kinds of lighting?
While incandescent lights operate by burning a fragile filament, an LED is a “light emitting diode” which illuminates through the movement of electrons. LED lighting uses much less energy than incandescent or fluorescent lighting, and lasts significantly longer than these older technologies. You can actually feel the wasted energy of incandescent light bulbs: excess energy is given off as heat. LED lights convert a significantly higher percentage of electricity into light, saving you money on your utility bill.
When upgrading to energy efficient lights, will my commercial business qualify for the energy tax credit or 179d tax deduction?
It depends. Contact CJM Lighting & Electrical for answers. As a certified Trade Ally of Focus on Energy Wisconsin, we’ll perform a free energy audit to determine the best ways to save the MOST money. A professional lighting expert will advise you on your options for the best quality lighting with the highest savings.
Will the T12 light bulb ban affect me?
Possibly. The Department of Energy put forth a directive calling for the elimination of T12 fluorescent light bulbs by July 2012. Even though this ban has yet to be fully implemented and enforced, nervous manufacturers have in most cases ceased or scaled back production. Responding to mounting pressure, newer and better T8 and T5 components are now delivered more cost-effectively than ever before while T12 costs continue to rise. These lamps were considered wasteful when compared to their energy efficient lighting counterparts including LED and better filament-based technologies. If you suspect your tube-shaped fluorescent bulbs are banned or inefficient, contact CJM Lighting & Electrical today. The good news is your lighting upgrade is often tax deductible and the energy savings will quickly pay for itself.
Act fast. Tax and utility rebates will not be around forever. Positive financial incentives are expected to disappear when the ban is fully implemented.
Is it true leaving the lights on for brief time frames is more energy efficient than turning them off and back on again?
It depends on the kind of light. Energy efficient LED lights take no extra energy to power back on again. Most incandescent bulbs will use less energy when you turn them off, unless the lights are only off for a few seconds. The real expense (which is largely negated by LED bulbs) comes when incandescent and fluorescent bulbs have their life shortened by frequent on/off switching. In general, we can assert turning the lights off is more energy efficient than leaving them on for a minute.
Are your industrial and commercial electrical lighting upgrades environmentally friendly?
Absolutely. We choose components with lighting quality, financial savings and environmental concerns in mind. We are proud of the benefits afforded by our energy efficient lighting upgrades. Contact one of our Milwaukee lighting engineers for more information on the ecological savings and benefits.