Onalaska Church Improves Comfort, Sees Savings with Energy Efficiency

Onalaska, WI – At River of Life Assembly of God Church, the journey towards energy efficiency started with a goal to provide a better experience for the congregation.

Church leaders decided to improve the lighting and heating in their Onalaska building, which led to a partnership with FOCUS ON ENERGY^® on two projects: replacing an aging boiler with two, more efficient models and completing a retrofit of existing fluorescent lighting with nearly 450 LED lamps and fixtures.

“The quality of our lighting has been extremely enhanced and the efficiency of our heating system has saved us money,” said Pastor Jacob Wallace.

The church received nearly $12,000 in financial incentives from Focus on Energy and partnering utility, Xcel Energy, for making the investments in energy efficiency. The energy savings from the upgrades, over the life of the new equipment, equates to nearly 900 barrels of oil consumed.

The efficiency projects at the church were done through Focus on Energy’s Small Business Program and completed by two Focus on Energy Trade Ally contractors: Professional Lighting Systems in West Salem and Bernie Buchner Mechanical Inc. in La Crosse.

“Focus on Energy was very easy to work with and I would highly recommend them,” Pastor Wallace added.

Xcel Energy is one of 107 Wisconsin utilities that fund and participate in the Focus on Energy program. Customers of those utilities are eligible for the energy expertise and financial incentives Focus on Energy offers to businesses, homeowners, non-profits, farms, schools and local governments. The most recent independent evaluation found every $1 invested in Focus on Energy programs creates $5.93 in benefits for Wisconsin, including economic benefits, reduced energy costs, and reduced pollution.

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.

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