Focus on Energy: Wisconsin Companies Recognized for Commitment to Energy Efficiency

Media Contacts:
Julie Semancik/Tim Wirtz
Hoffman York
414-225-9568 / 414-225-9522
jsemancik@hyc.com
twirtz@hyc.com

– Focus on Energy presents Sentry Insurance, Condon Oil Company, Wells Brothers Restaurant
with “Continued Excellence in Energy Efficiency” awards –

MADISON, Wis. (July 15, 2004) – Focus on Energy, Wisconsin’s energy efficiency and renewable energy program, has recognized three Wisconsin companies for their ongoing commitment to reducing energy consumption, presenting them with “Continued Excellence in Energy Efficiency” awards. The recipients are Sentry Insurance of Stevens Point, Wells Brothers Restaurant in Racine and Condon Oil Company of Ripon.

“These three companies are to be commended for their dedication to energy efficiency,” said Dan Tarrence, program manager with Focus on Energy. “Not only have they lowered their operating costs and made themselves more competitive in the marketplace, they’re also helping keep Wisconsin’s environment clean and reducing Wisconsin’s dependence on fossil fuels from other states and nations.”

The three winners have lowered their combined annual energy expenses by nearly $95,000 and their annual energy consumption by nearly 1.4 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity and approximately 52,500 therms of natural gas. That’s enough energy to meet the needs of 195 typical Wisconsin homes.

The energy-saving measures also prevent the annual emission of nearly 4 million pounds of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide into the atmosphere – the equivalent of preventing the air pollution generated by 271 cars.

The winners were selected from nearly two dozen commercial businesses nominated by energy advisors at Focus on Energy. Each recently worked with Focus on Energy to implement energy-saving measures and has demonstrated a long-term commitment to improving its energy efficiency.

“Sentry Insurance, Wells Brothers Restaurant and Condon Oil Company are good examples of the results that can be achieved when businesses tap into the technical resources offered by Focus on Energy,” Tarrence said. “By making even a modest investment, companies can make improvements that will have a big impact on their energy costs.”

Sentry Insurance, Stevens Point
Over the past three years, Sentry Insurance has made significant improvements to upgrade heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC) and lighting systems at its headquarters in Stevens Point, reducing its annual energy expenses by approximately $81,000. Focus on Energy worked with Sentry to identify potential energy-saving measures, prioritize projects for implementation and measure the actual savings generated. The program also provided $57,100 in implementation grants to help defray the cost of the projects.
Upgrades made to the HVAC system – including conversion to a variable air volume system and installation of variable speed drives on fans and water pumps – allow airflow to be adjusted to regulate temperature in various areas of the building based on their heating and cooling needs.
Approximately 600 incandescent light bulbs also were replaced with ENERGY STAR® qualified compact fluorescent light bulbs that use up to 75 percent less energy and last up to 10 times longer than standard bulbs – reducing energy consumption and costs, as well as the time and expense associated with replacing burned-out bulbs.

Wells Brothers Restaurant, Racine
Wells Brothers Restaurant, a full-service family restaurant in Racine, needed a new water heater. Choosing an energy efficient model would have generated significant savings on its own, as approximately 17 percent of the energy used by a typical restaurant goes to heating water. Bill Rivers, the restaurant’s owner, saw the bigger picture, however, and took his contractor’s advice to also install a setback thermostat and a high-efficiency condensing boiler that also serves as the primary source of heat for the water heater. These measures have reduced the amount of energy Wells Brothers uses for space and water heating by 30 percent, saving Rivers more than $2,800 each year in energy costs.
Focus on Energy provided an $813.20 implementation grant to help defray the project’s nearly $15,000 cost.

Condon Oil Company, Ripon
Condon Oil Company found that a small change can generate big results, especially when implemented across multiple locations. The company installed anti-condensate controls on food and beverage coolers at 11 of its convenience stores throughout Northeastern Wisconsin. The result has been a nearly $11,000 reduction in annual energy costs – impressive enough that the company is now adding the controls at seven additional locations. Called Door Misers, the anti-condensate controls ensure humidity-controlling heaters in the refrigerator doors only run when needed to keep the glass doors from fogging up.
A $1,775.87 implementation grant from Focus on Energy helped defray part of the project’s nearly $40,000 cost.

About Focus on Energy
Focus on Energy is a public-private partnership offering energy information and services to energy utility customers throughout Wisconsin. The goals of this program are to encourage energy efficiency and use of renewable energy, enhance the environment and ensure the future supply of energy for Wisconsin. Since July 2001, the program has helped Wisconsin’s businesses and residents reduce their annual energy consumption by more than 304.3 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity and more than 13.7 million therms of natural gas. For more information, call 800-762-7077 or visit www.focusonenergy.com.