Every dairy cow carries an energy price tag. Farmers pump water—and $2.6 billion in energy dollars—to boost crops. At the end of the day, energy, both direct and indirect, accounts for 13 percent of production expenses on an average farm, so it makes sense that more farmers are turning to energy efficiency to help their bottom lines. Electricity powers a farm’s heating (water, space, [...]
Does energy efficiency add up for schools? Let’s do the math. Not only are students and staff more comfortable and focused, but energy efficiency also helps funds go further. For these reasons and more, the Sault Ste. Marie Area Public Schools recently completed multiple large-scale lighting projects as part of their ongoing energy-saving efforts. “Although we had been doing a great deal to reduce [...]
Banks Hardwoods Inc., headquartered in White Pigeon, MI, with additional facilities in Newberry, and Menomonie, WI, is a supplier of sustainable, quality hardwood lumber. The company ships about 65 million board feet annually from its 28 drying kilns to customers making a variety of products, including moulding and furniture, throughout the Midwest. And, like most small to medium-size businesses, they are always on the [...]
If you completed an energy efficiency project last year and you weren’t aware of our business rebates, it’s not too late! Typically, Energy Optimization rebate applications must be submitted within 30 days of a project’s completion. The Energy Optimization program will now accept applications for energy efficient qualifying products installed within the past 24 months. The website (michigan-energy.org) provides a complete product list of [...]
After attending an energy seminar hosted by their electric co-op, Great Lakes Energy members Steven and Dawn Burks learned there’s an air conditioning system that can help lower their winter heating bills, too. When they built their new home near East Jordan in 2011, they had a 95 percent efficient propane furnace and an air-source heat pump installed. The entire installed cost of this [...]
If a casino finds energy waste risky, should other businesses take note? Over the last three years, Odawa Casino Resort in Petoskey implemented nine energy efficiency projects—all of them through Great Lakes Energy and its Energy Optimization (EO) program. As a result, this business saves 3 million kilowatt hours (kWh) per year—equivalent to removing 406 cars from the road. “I think, as with any [...]
Donations can accomplish many things for great causes. And for Bay Cliff Health Camp in Big Bay, a large donation meant much-needed upgrades were possible. Bay Cliff’s electric bills were outrageous from the camp’s sodium lights and inefficient appliances, until Alger Delta Electric Cooperative came to the rescue. “We’ve got buildings that were built back in the ‘60s, and the lighting systems were pretty [...]
I recently met with Lester and Carol*, HomeWorks members from Clinton County, to talk about their experience with geothermal heating and cooling. Their geothermal system was installed just over four years ago. Lester and Carol were facing a bit of a dilemma. Their trusty fuel oil furnace was acting up after many years of service. As they weighed their options, they came across geothermal [...]
Opened a year ago to offer custom deer processing, 5-Alarm Smokehouse & Custom Butchering has also grown quickly into a destination shop for quality meats. Owner Jeff Brown, a Fremont Township firefighter for over 20 years, opened 5-Alarm because he didn’t like the way his own game was being processed, with parts being mixed into other hunters’ venison to make sausage, for example. “Here [...]
Energy is our thing, so it’s your electric co-op’s job to keep you updated on the latest developments. That’s why we’re sharing the following information on changes affecting businesses, and details about commercial rebates. T12 Lightbulb Phase-out On July 14, 2012, manufacturers stopped producing traditional T12 lightbulbs and magnetic ballasts in accordance with the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and the Energy Independence and [...]
