CFL Recycling
Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) help conserve natural resources like coal and gas by using far less electricity than common incandescent bulbs. CFLs last longer, too. Unfortunately, some good things do end and your CFL will eventually burn out.

All CFL bulbs, including ENERGY STAR® qualified bulbs, contain a small amount of mercury -- about 5 milligrams (mg) per bulb. That's less than the mercury in your average watch battery, and just enough to cover the tip of a ballpoint pen. CFLs are safe to use, as they do not emit mercury when they are intact, in use, properly stored, handled, and/or installed. Because CFLs do contain a small amount of mercury, the bulbs should be recycled properly and not thrown in the trash. By recycling the bulbs, you are helping prevent the release of mercury into the environment. Plus, almost all components of the bulbs can be reused.

LED Recycling
You don’t have to worry about mercury with LED bulbs, but they do contain nickel, some lead, and even trace amounts of arsenic. When used properly, these lights are risk-free, but they have significant health hazards if they're thrown out in the trash to be left in a landfill. LED bulbs should be properly disposed of similar to other e-waste.

More than 95 percent of an LED bulb is recyclable. You can recycle your LED bulbs at Dane County Clean Sweep, or use Earth911's free search tool to find other recycling solutions near you.

Lighting accounts for about 20% of annual household electricity bills, or approximately $200 per year. Every time someone flips a light switch to turn on a light, coal is being burned at a power plant to produce electricity, and as it is burned it releases carbon dioxide (CO2), mercury and other toxins. The higher the bulb wattage, the more electricity needed to make it burn bright, and of course the more electricity used means higher energy costs for you.

You can save money by switching to energy-efficient lighting. Generally, the most energy-efficient types of home lighting are LED bulbs, which provide high-quality light, use less energy, and last longer than standard bulbs. By using less energy, efficient lighting reduces pollution and is better for the environment.

Focus on Energy’s ENERGY STAR® Lighting Program can help you save money and lower energy consumption. Focus on Energy is partnering with retailers around Wisconsin to offer instant discounts or coupons on ENERGY STAR qualified lighting products at participating retailers for select lighting products, while supplies last.

In Stoughton, participating retailers include Asleson's True Value Hardware, Stoughton Lumber / Ace Hardware, and Walmart. Just look for the Focus on Energy Special Pricing sticker to save!

Enjoy year-round savings and comfort!

Are you looking to take steps toward lower energy bills and a more comfortable home? You’re on the right path. With Heating and Cooling Improvements from the Home Performance Program, you have a menu of energy-saving options to choose from, including a new furnace, boiler, smart thermostat or water heater.

As much as half of the energy used in your home goes to water heating and air heating and cooling. Making smart decisions about your home’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems can make a big impact on your utility bills and your comfort. Heating and air conditioning contractors have partnered with Focus on Energy to help Wisconsin consumers make informed choices about heating and air conditioning equipment purchases.

You can receive incentives for each individual improvement, or make multiple upgrades at once and increase your incentives. WIt’s easy to see how the right mix of improvements can deliver sizable savings.

Focus on Energy’s Home Performance Program - Residential Rewards offers incentives to customers for the replacement of furnaces, boilers and water heaters with high-efficiency equipment.

Whole Home Improvements... The more you do, the more you save!

Energy experts recommend taking a comprehensive, whole home approach when looking to boost comfort and keep your energy bills in check. The Whole Home Improvements path with ENERGY STAR® helps you do just that by looking at your home as a system.

It starts with a home energy assessment. After the assessment, you'll receive a clear road map of recommended improvements, cash incentives, and expert guidance to help you use energy smarter. Homeowners who receive an energy assessment typically see utility bill savings of 20 percent or more. Plus, you'll qualify for the highest incentives. Consider it your reward for getting the most comfort out of your home and taking a comprehensive approach to saving energy.

Homeowners can receive an energy assessment performed by a certified contractor who will then recommend upgrades specific to your home’s needs. At the time of the assessment, you will also be eligible to receive free direct installation of energy efficient equipment, such as LED bulbs and faucet aerators. If you choose to move forward with the recommend upgrades, Focus on Energy will provide cash-back rewards, up to $2,250.

What improvements may be made?
Qualifying homeowners will receive a home energy assessment. As part of the evaluation, the program consultant will review the home as an entire system and show you how it is using, and possibly misusing, energy. The consultant will also conduct a safety test to verify that combustion appliances, such as the furnace and hot water heater, are not exhausting carbon monoxide into your home.

A home energy assessment helps pinpoint where your home is wasting energy, what you can do to save money and enjoy greater comfort, and determines the best order to complete improvements. It’s performed by a trained and certified Trade Ally contractor who will also look at health and safety issues that may be present. Energy assessments may vary in scope and typically range between $200-$400 dollars. Final scope and cost often depend upon the age, size, and condition of your home. If you qualify for Tier 2 incentives, the assessment fee is reduced to a $50 co-pay.

Depending on the results of the home energy assessment, your home may receive one or more of the following energy efficiency improvements:

• Insulation. Adding insulation to the attic, walls and crawlspaces helps reduce energy use and increase comfort.
• Heating and cooling system updates. Replacing an inefficient furnace, boiler and/or central air conditioner will save energy and reduce energy costs.
• Sealing air leaks. Sealing air leaks will reduce the cold drafts caused by unwanted holes in the home's structure and may improve indoor air quality.
• Energy saving products. Installing water-saving faucet aerators and shower heads, as well as ENERGY STAR qualified compact LED light bulbs, saves energy.
• ENERGY STAR qualified appliances. Replacing old inefficient refrigerators and freezers with ENERGY STAR qualified models will use a fraction of the energy.

For more information, please visit Focus on Energy.

Make your multifamily building more efficient for less with free measures and financial incentives.

Do you own or manage a multifamily building? Focus on Energy offers a variety of services to multifamily building owners, managers and developers to show how they can lower operating costs, achieve a better bottom line and improve the living spaces for tenants. The Multifamily Energy Savings Program specializes in energy efficiency projects for new and existing multifamily residential properties with four or more units and offers free installation of energy saving devices like LEDs, low-flow shower heads and faucet aerators in residential units.

Focus on Energy offers a variety of services to apartment & condo owners, including:

• Energy evaluations, at no cost, that examine overall building performance, including heating and cooling systems and other measures.
• Incentives for the purchase and installation of equipment at existing buildings, including heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment, lighting and specialty measures.
• Incentives for the purchase and installation of equipment at new construction projects, including HVAC equipment and common area lighting.
• Additional incentives are available for custom projects specific to the existing or new building’s needs.

Visit Focus on Energy for more information.

Build a new home that is up to 100% more energy efficient than the average new home.

Building a new home is a major investment. The Focus on Energy New Homes Program can help you make the most of that investment with a high-performance home that saves energy and money. We will help you make educated decisions about your home.

The Focus on Energy New Homes Program pairs prospective homeowners with builders and energy experts to construct new homes that are between 25 and 100 percent more efficient than homes built to Wisconsin’s Uniform Dwelling Code. They are built to be as comfortable, durable, combustion safe and energy efficient as possible.

Your Focus on Energy Building Performance Consultant will make sure your home meets the highest standards for energy efficiency, combustion safety, comfort and durability—ensuring your dream home is also a sound investment.

In addition to a more energy efficient home, you will also enjoy other benefits, including:

• Peace of mind. Focus provides you with the confidence, expertise, and assistance to help you build the home of your dreams.
• A more energy-efficient home. A Focus on Energy New Home is at least 25 percent more efficient than homes that are merely built to code, which means lower energy costs and more efficient performance. Expect air tightness that minimizes drafts and creates superior indoor air quality; sealed combustion equipment and carbon monoxide detectors ensure combustion safety and whole-house ventilation for proper circulation.
• Proof of energy efficiency. Any builder can say they build energy-efficient homes. The difference with Focus is that you have a third-party certification to prove it.
• Easy decision making. From initial planning and preparation through construction and inspection, we will be there every step of the way, making sure your home meets the highest standards of quality craftsmanship and ensuring your investment is a sound one.
• Dedicated builders. Focus on Energy rewards builders for constructing homes to be as efficient as possible, so you know your new home will be built to save and last.

Plus, when you buy a Focus New Home, you get the added benefit of knowing you're helping preserve Wisconsin's environment. Less energy used means fewer environmental effects on our air, water, and land.

Visit Focus on Energy to learn more today.

As energy costs rise and environmental concerns grow, more and more Wisconsin residents are becoming interested in renewable energy. Cleaner energy sources, such as energy harnessed from the ground (geothermal) or from the sun (solar), save energy and money while reducing pollution to help protect the environment.

If you’ve already put in the work to make your home as energy efficient as possible, now is the perfect time to take an even more rewarding step. Follow the Renewable Energy path and receive Focus on Energy cash incentives for qualified solar electric and geothermal installations.

Focus on Energy Cash-Back Rewards are available to Stoughton Utilities residential customers who install new renewable energy systems to their existing home. Funding for renewable projects is fixed each year and availability is on a first-come first-served basis. Applicants must reserve funding by submitting a Reservation Application.

Learn more about Focus on Energy's Residential Renewable Energy Program, including eligible equipment, steps to apply for cash-back rebates, eligibility requirements, and more.

Other incentives may be available. Please contact us in the early stages of your renewable energy project and Stoughton Utilities staff will help you find all available incentives, as well as assist with planning and design, and rate information.

Get your Simple Energy Efficiency Pack today, and take advantage of ways to use energy smarter. Wisconsin Focus on Energy is offering free energy saving items in convenient packages.

Each Simple Energy Efficiency pack contains a variety of product such as:

• ENERGY STAR® qualified Light Emitting Diode (LED) Light Bulbs – LEDs use at least 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs, producing less heat and more light per watt. Plus, they have an extremely long life span, about 25,000 hours.
• High-Efficiency Showerhead – Efficient showerheads lower the gallons of water used per minute, without compromising performance – allowing you to use less water, and potentially lowering water and heating bills.
• Water-Saving Kitchen and Bathroom Faucet Aerators – These simple screw-in aerators reduce water use in your sinks while providing the pressure you need to wash. Reducing your water use will save you money on the cost of heating your water.
• Advanced Power Strip (APS) - APS are designed primarily for home entertainment centers and home office areas. They work by preventing electronics from drawing power when they are off or not being used.

You can choose which pack works best for your home.
Six different Simple Energy Efficiency packs are available to choose from at no cost to you. Visit Wisconsin Focus on Energy to order your Simple Energy Efficiency Pack today.