If you are a business owner looking for ways to cut costs, the time has never been better to consider a commercial lighting retrofit. A combination of todays lighting technology and new rebates provided by Empire Electric Association in coordination with Tri-States energy efficiency and credits program provide a great incentive for retrofitting existing lighting with more efficient options. The innovative commercial lighting credits provide businesses with an easy way to save energy and receive rebates up to $20,000 per project for changing out interior lighting in commercial space, covered parking garages and wall-packs.
The first to take advantage of this rebate in Empires service territory was Montezuma Valley Publishing. The lighting retrofit at the Cortez Journal production facility in Cortez created a $1,745 rebate with an estimated four-year payback. Since then, Notah Dineh Trading Co., Southwest Colorado Community College and Ute Mountain Ute Farm and Ranch are on the list of Tri-State rebates for replaced lamps.
Commercial customers are encouraged to replace their T-12 fluorescent light fixtures with the small diameter T-8 or T-5 bulbs. The smaller bulbs operate with electronic ballasts as opposed to the magnetic ballast of the T-12 and provide energy savings of approximately 30 percent. New fixtures provide more and better quality light while reducing noise and flicker. Another consideration is that T-12 bulbs are no longer being manufactured and will be phased out by 2012.
Commercial lighting is typically a large cost for business owners and with the innovative lighting in todays market, replacement is a wise choice, said Empire Electric Member Services Manager Doug Sparks. Schools may want to consider this program for their gymnasiums as the new lighting does not have a restrike delay like the metal halide versions and it is easier on the eyes.
Cortez Journal replaced its production area lights in stages so employees had an opportunity to compare the old T-12 bulbs to the new T-5 bulb output. Production Manager John Duquette witnessed an obvious difference.
The new lights are far superior, especially at night, and offer a natural light, he said. We are saving on energy costs and improving quality control.
Tri-State offers $250 per kilowatt saved following replacement of an existing lighting system. The lighting retrofit incentive is figured on estimated savings for the project taken before and after the lighting is replaced. The rebate is limited to 50 percent of the invoiced fixture and lamp cost with a project cap of $20,000. A project is defined as a single contiguous location.
Other available lighting rebates include the light-emitting diodes refrigerated lighting retrofits and LED streetlights.
To participate in this rebate program, commercial customers must engage a contractor, electrician or lighting designer, who will contact Empire Electric to report the lighting to be changed out and register the initial kilowatt usage. Once the project is complete, the rebate will be determined.
If you are interested in finding out more about the commercial lighting replacement program, call member services at (970) 565-4444 or 800-709-3726.
Bobbe Jones is the Assistant Member Services Manager with Empire Electric, 801 N. Broadway, Cortez. Empire Electric Association is working with the community to save energy and money.