Call to Focus on Energy Helps Condo Owners See Energy, Cost Savings

Appleton, Wis. – A call to FOCUS ON ENERGY® last year started a group of Appleton condominium owners on the path to energy efficiency and cost savings.

A representative of the Parkwood Condominium Association reached out to the state’s energy efficiency and renewable resources program about a potential boiler replacement and an Energy Advisor with Focus on Energy came out to assess the property.

After looking it over, Energy Advisor Thomas Younger suggested replacing the boiler with a more efficient model, as well as upgrading the hot water heater and insulating hot water pipes.

The condo board approved the projects and Focus on Energy gave the board a financial incentive of $3,446.85 to help offset its investments in energy efficiency.

Parkwood was eligible for the financial incentive because it is a ratepayer of We Energies, one of the 107 Wisconsin utilities that partner in Focus on Energy. All ratepayers of those utilities are eligible for the energy expertise and financial incentives the Program offers.

“Focus on Energy has been instrumental in our effort to save energy costs for our building,” said Lisa Farnum with the Parkwood Condominium Association Board. “We were able to implement an energy plan that will save us costs and were able to receive a rebate that offset installation expenses.”

Younger was there to assist throughout the process, even helping fill out the incentive paperwork.

The three energy efficiency projects, completed in November, are expected to save the condo association more than $6,200 annually in avoided energy costs. Also, compared to baseline equipment, the more-efficient upgrades are expected to save 129,656 therms of natural gas over their life. That’s the equivalent of 755 pounds of coal that doesn’t have to be burned as a result of these projects.

A third-party evaluation noted Wisconsin runs the most cost-effective energy efficiency programs in the nation. It also found every $1 invested in Focus on Energy generates more than $5 in benefits for Wisconsin, including economic benefits, reduced pollution and reduced energy costs.

About Focus on Energy

Focus on Energy is Wisconsin utilities' statewide energy efficiency and renewable resource program funded by the state's investor-owned energy utilities and participating municipal and electric cooperative utilities. 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 projects that otherwise would not be completed. 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. For more information call 800.762.7077 or visit focusonenergy.com.