Past Relationship Paves Way for Valuable Upgrades at Wood County Nonprofit

Biron, Wis. – The Wood County Head Start’s center in Biron will be more efficiently heated and save the nonprofit group some money this winter, thanks to a collaboration with FOCUS ON ENERGY^® and contractor EGI Mechanical.

Officials at Wood County Head Start made the decision to replace the boiler in its Biron location last month.

“Our center in Biron was a perfect fit for us when we purchased it in 2012.  We knew in the future we would need to make some upgrades with the steam boiler system, as it was very old,” said Wood County Head Start’s Kelly Bodette. “Looking for ways to save money and be more energy-efficient, we decided to convert to a hydronic heating system.”  

Staff was familiar with Focus on Energy, having completed lighting and steam trap repair projects with the program in the past.

“I’ve worked with Kelly on other projects and she reached out for assistance with a potential boiler project.” Said Bill Lobner, an Energy Advisor with Focus on Energy.  “I reached out to her contractor to verify that the equipment would qualify and also assisted with the incentive application.”

Wood County Head Start received a $4,500 financial incentive from Focus on Energy. In addition, the group will save more than $3,200 annually in avoided energy costs with its more-efficient boilers.  

“In a building so large and so old, the cost of this project was more than what we expected,” Bodette said. “Like any nonprofit, we have to budget every penny.  With the help of Focus on Energy, we were able to put the rebate dollars toward the cost of the project and, in the long run, save money on utility bills.” 

Wood County Head Start is a gas customer of We Energies and an electric customer of Consolidated Water and Power, two of the 107 utilities that partner in Focus on Energy. Any ratepayer of those utilities is eligible for the energy expertise and financial incentives Focus on Energy offers for those making investments in energy efficiency or renewable energy projects.

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. 
 

​

Photo: Before and after images of the boiler system at Wood County Head Start's center in Biron, WI.