Focus on Energy: Wisconsin’s small industrial businesses save big through energy efficiency

MEDIA CONTACT:

Mark Treichel

Hoffman York

(414) 225-9554

mtreichel@hyc.com

Industrial manufacturing and production has long been integral to Wisconsin’s economy. Thankfully, despite tough economic conditions, Wisconsin’s 12,000 industrial companies have remained competitive in the national and international arena. To stay competitive, many companies are turning to energy efficiency as a way to trim overhead costs. Let’s face it, production uses a lot of energy – and the costs associated can have a steep impact on the bottom line of Wisconsin businesses.

Focus on Energy, Wisconsin’s statewide resource for energy efficiency and renewable energy, is currently reaching out to industrial businesses across the state to help boost their efforts to reduce energy use. To date, the program has helped Wisconsin businesses across all sectors reduce energy consumption by more than 1 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity and more than 68 million therms of natural gas, resulting in annual energy cost savings of nearly $151 million.

While great progress is being made, many of Wisconsin’s industrial companies continue to struggle to justify energy efficiency projects. The lack of economies of scale can make it difficult for small- to mid-size businesses to complete the same projects that larger companies enjoy. Other companies are unclear about the possible effects energy efficiency measures may have on production or quality.

That’s where Focus on Energy can help. Focus works with Wisconsin businesses of all sizes and in all industries to implement cost effective energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. Customers of participating utilities are eligible for up to $750,000 per year in financial incentives to help move projects forward. Beyond cash incentives, Focus also offers technical expertise and training to help companies better understand energy efficiency opportunities and balance the cost and benefits of making energy saving changes. Focus on Energy utilizes energy advisors throughout the state to meet with companies and review potential projects, analyze energy savings and help with financial incentive applications.

“We know manufacturing is important to Wisconsin and Focus on Energy is helping the industry stay strong by reducing overhead energy costs,” said Ken Williams, Focus on Energy’s business programs director. “Focus recognizes that many companies are looking for an unbiased resource to better understand the impact of making changes, and we fulfill this need.”

Getting Started

For companies unsure of where to start, a self-assessment form or phone interview are available to provide fast and easy access to a technical expert. Within two weeks, companies can have information in hand to develop immediate and long-term energy savings strategies. While some changes may take several years to see the return on investment, the self-assessment helps identify low and no-cost projects that have a payback of less than a year and require little capital investment.

Another good starting point for companies is asking their vendors to come in for a visit to discuss possible changes to improve energy efficiency. Many market providers are willing to do this at no cost. Focus will also work with companies as a third-party resource for unbiased analysis of the payback period and project benefits – serving as an extra set of eyes to look over proposed projects and projected savings. Focus can also connect companies with reputable market providers to perform services that help complete projects sooner.

The most immediate changes companies can often make are switching to more energy efficient lighting and HVAC equipment. Preventative maintenance including boiler and chiller tune-ups are also a great way to get more life out of major equipment. For many companies, the self-assessment will also help take a look at behavioral issues like compressed air usage and heating when a building is not at capacity. Focus can also help evaluate and provide incentives for major changes to manufacturing processes that allow customers to manufacture more efficiently. The following are some additional changes companies could address immediately for little to no cost:

* Analyze compressed air usage

* Research cost of exhausting air during winter

* Understand utility bills by contacting utility account representative

* When buying new equipment, make sure it’s ENERGY STAR® or high-performance equipment

* Make behavioral changes such as temperature setbacks and turning equipment off over the weekend

* Run energy-intensive equipment only when needed

The future of Wisconsin manufacturing and production relies on companies making innovative, smart and efficient energy decisions – the same forward thinking that helped Wisconsin rise to a national industrial leader in the first place.

For more information or to see what financial incentives companies qualify for, contact Focus on Energy at (800) 762-7077 or visit focusonenergy.com .