Madison – Manufacturer Therma-Stor knows something about energy efficiency, having specialized in heat transfer technologies for four decades. Therefore the company knew it could improve its facilities on Lien Road in east Madison.
The business heard about Focus on Energy – Wisconsin’s statewide energy efficiency and renewables program – through Madison Gas & Electric (MG&E), one of the utilities across Wisconsin that funds and partners with Focus on Energy.
Therma-Stor contacted Focus on Energy and learned that many of the energy-efficient changes they wanted to make were eligible for incentives that would help offset the cost of investment. The company moved forward with three projects: upgrading lighting, improving roof insulation and adding a variable speed compressor.
Jeff Danielson, an energy advisor with Focus on Energy, says he first started talking with Therma-Stor about the projects four years ago.
“Last year, I received a call from the MG&E representative on a possible incentive to help with the roof insulation project that Therma-Stor was very interested in completing,” Danielson says. “Therma-Stor had been leasing the building, but now had purchased the building and wanted to reduce the energy lost through the roof for heating and cooling.”
“The support and direction provided by Jeffrey Danielson and the Focus on Energy team helped us insulate our roof, reducing our energy consumption and saving money on our utility bills,” said Therma-Stor VP of Operations, Sean Ebert. “Through Focus on Energy’s incentive program, we are able to continue our carbon footprint reduction efforts with additional energy savings projects.”
For the insulation project, Therma-Stor received incentives of $27,682 to help offset costs and will see estimated annual energy savings of more than $36,000. The insulation upgrade alone will save the energy equivalent of burning 86,000 pounds of coal. The company also received incentive payments totaling more than $1,800 for the lighting and compressor upgrades, which are expected to save roughly $3,500 a year in energy costs.
A recent evaluation report 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.
About Therma-Stor
Therma-Stor LLC, located in Madison, Wisconsin, was established in 1977 to apply advanced heat transfer technologies to residential and commercial markets. Beginning with heat recovery water heaters, Therma-Stor now also manufactures a line of residential dehumidifiers, which includes the Sante Fe series of free-standing dehumidifiers and the Ultra-Aire series of whole house ventilating dehumidifiers. Therma-Stor also offers Quest Hi-E Dry commercial dehumidifiers and the Phoenix line of restoration equipment for dehumidification, air scrubbing, water extraction, and evaporative drying.
