Lighting Upgrade Could Lead to Bigger Changes for Baraboo Business

Baraboo, WI – A brief encounter at church increased energy efficiency at Baraboo Country Club and could lead to even greater future changes for the business.

The Club’s PGA Pro and General Manager, Clint Hutchens, says he was aware of Focus on Energy but mistakenly thought it was just for residential customers. That is until he ran into Kurt Hanusa from LED Wisconsin at church.

Hanusa is a Focus on Energy Trade Ally contractor and let Hutchens know businesses qualified for the financial incentives Focus on Energy offers in partnership with utilities across Wisconsin. Baraboo Country Club’s utility is Alliant Energy, one of 108 across the state that fund and participate in the Focus on Energy program.

Hanusa even suggested a project to Hutchens: upgrading the old 1000-watt mercury vapor pole-mounted lights at the Country Club to LEDs.

"I upgraded the exterior lighting at Baraboo Country Club because the customers were concerned about low lighting levels at the entrance and exit. With the new fixtures, the area is two to three times brighter than before with possibly 50-percent more coverage,” Hutchens said, adding that he has received no lighting complaints since the switch. “Cost savings were also a big factor in making the decision.”

Estimates show the Country Club could save more than $3,000 a year thanks to the new bulbs. And, over the life of the bulbs, the Country Club will save enough energy to power 26 average homes for a year.

“I would always recommend any business to consult Focus on Energy before any project. You never know what programs are out there to save you a little money,” Hutchens said.

He is now working with his staff to implement behavioral changes and looking at installing occupancy sensors and photocells at some point in the future. Long-term, he would also like to add a solar array to power his fleet of electric golf carts.

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.