Madison Hotel Embraces Both the Old and New

Hotel Indigo Pays Homage to Site’s History While Investing in the Latest Efficiency Technology

Madison, Wis. – “You guys made it easy. Why wouldn’t we do it?” asked John Kothe, one of the developers of Hotel Indigo on Madison’s east side. 

Kothe’s hotel on East Washington Avenue hotel is one of the newest in Madison, opening in the spring. Built by Steven Construction, Hotel Indigo made headlines for its award-winning progressive design, showcasing photos and displays that pay homage to the Mautz Paint Co. building that occupied the property for nearly 60 years. 

Less noticeable is the efficiency of the building, made possible through a collaboration with its utility, Madison Gas & Electric (MG&E), and FOCUS ON ENERGY^®, Wisconsin’s statewide energy efficiency and renewable resources program.

“Focus on Energy challenged us to optimize how much we could save on energy,” Kothe said. “We wanted to be efficient. [Focus on Energy] nudged us to pursue additional strategies that we might have otherwise overlooked.”   

Those strategies include energy-efficient LED lighting and high-efficiency heating equipment, which earned Hotel Indigo $16,854.72 in Focus on Energy financial incentives to help offset the initial investment in energy efficiency equipment.  

The lighting and heating investments are saving the hotel $20,000 a year in avoided energy costs, and energy savings over the life of the equipment are enough to power 300 homes for a full year. It’s a great example of how investments in efficiency can benefit a business’s bottom line while fulfilling its customer’s demand for an energy-conscious experience.

Kothe and his developing partners enjoyed the collaboration so much they are now looking at efficiency upgrades, including solar panels and exterior lighting, at other properties.

MG&E is one of 107 Wisconsin utilities that partner in the Focus on Energy Program, and the Program’s energy expertise and financial incentives are available to business, residential and municipal customers of those utilities. 

A recent third-party evaluation revealed Wisconsin runs the most-cost-effective energy efficiency programs in the nation, in terms of energy savings per dollar spent. The same evaluation found every $1 invested in Focus on Energy generates $5 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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Photo: Exterior of Hotel Indigo