Juneau County Housing Authority More Efficient with Focus on Energy

JUNEAU COUNTY – Energy efficiency upgrades to five Juneau County apartment complexes are saving energy and money thanks to Wisconsin’s Focus on Energy program.

“What a great program!” said Julie Oleson, Executive Director of the Juneau County Housing Authority. “We received the incentives shortly after replacing our inefficient lighting, water heaters and boilers. We are now saving on our energy bill and conserving energy.”

The return on investment for the projects was quickened thanks to a $1,970 incentive from Focus on Energy’s Multifamily Energy Savings Program.

Since 2001, information, resources and financial incentives from Wisconsin’s Focus on Energy program have helped businesses and homeowners to implement energy efficiency and renewable energy projects that otherwise would not get completed (or completed much sooner than scheduled).

The Juneau County Housing Authority provides safe and sanitary housing for low-to-moderate income elderly and persons with disabilities. Heat and hot water are included, but tenants are responsible for their electric costs.

Oleson initially contacted Focus on Energy about energy efficiency projects in hopes of lowering the utility bills at apartments in Necedah.  

“Following a site visit, Focus on Energy provided me a report listing possible improvements, along with information about efficiency opportunities at other properties,” Oleson said. “What started as a single site visit turned into seven efficiency projects at five of our buildings.” 

Late last year, lighting, water heater and boilers upgrades were conducted at:  

• Bluff Aire Apartments, Necedah
• Georgetown House II Apartments, Elroy
• Spring Valley Apartments, Union Center
• Sunrise Apartments, Wonewoc
• The Arches Apartments, Mauston

By saving an estimated 4,335 kilowatt hours of electricity and 2,919 therms of natural gas in the first year, these projects are expected to save nearly $3,600 in energy costs for the Housing Authority and its residents. In terms of energy, these utility savings could power approximately three homes.

“In addition to saving energy and money, the upgrades have improved our residents’ comfort and provided a higher quality of light,” Oleson said. “Energy efficiency improvements are ongoing at all 11 of our buildings throughout Juneau County.”    

Replacement of the boilers and water heaters was conducted by these contractors, who regularly work on Focus on Energy projects:

• Affordable Heating & Electric LLC, Wonewoc
• BTU Management Inc., Mauston
• Landsinger Plumbing LLC, Hillsboro

Alliant Energy supplies the electric and natural gas needs at each of the apartment buildings. Alliant Energy and 107 other Wisconsin utilities partner with Focus on Energy to help eligible Wisconsin residents and businesses install cost-effective energy efficiency and renewable energy projects.

Focus on Energy’s efforts help Wisconsin residents and businesses manage rising energy usage, promotes in-state economic development and conserves natural resources.

For information about Focus on Energy’s Multifamily Energy Savings Program, visit focusonenergy.com/multifamily.

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 www.focusonenergy.com.