HOW ENERGY EFFICIENT LIGHITNG LOWERS OPERATING COSTS & CREATES A MORE WELCOMING STUDIO
Our Small Business Program helps Manitoba businesses reduce operating costs and improve energy efficiency through affordable retrofit upgrades. When Milly McKenna, owner of Fun Time Pottery, came across a promotional flyer about our Small Business Program, the timing couldn’t have been better. The studio was facing challenges with inconsistent lighting, which was making it difficult to provide the bright, welcoming environment needed for painting and pottery classes.
Through our Program, they were able to upgrade their lighting with energy-efficient LED lamps, creating a brighter workspace while reducing energy use and operating costs.
THE PROJECT
Fun Time Pottery first participated in the Small Business Program through a free Basic Upgrade. As part of the visit, the studio had a bathroom faucet aerator installed and a free lighting and attic insulation assessment was completed which identified opportunities to improve their energy efficiency even further.
The business later moved forward with a Premium Upgrade for their recommended lighting upgrades, coordinated by the program’s third-party delivery agent, CLEAResult® Canada. The project included replacing 60 fluorescent lamps with energy-efficient LED linear lamps throughout the studio.
“The upgrade was completed quickly with absolutely no disturbance to us.”
— Milly McKenna, Owner of Fun Time Pottery
THE SAVINGS
Because of their lighting upgrade, they’re expected to save more than 1,700 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity annually, resulting in estimated energy bill savings of over $80 per year.
Through the Premium Upgrade, Efficiency Manitoba covered 70% of the material and installation costs, providing an incentive of over $2,500 toward the project
Beyond the energy savings, the upgraded lighting has significantly improved the experience for staff and customers by creating a brighter, more consistently lit workspace for painting and pottery activities.
“The impact was immediate. Previously our lighting varied between yellow and white light across the worktables. Now the lighting is uniform with high-quality lighting,” said Mckenna.
The new LED lighting has also helped Fun Time Pottery lower ongoing operating costs while supporting the business’s commitment to environmental responsibility.
THE PROCESS
Participating in the Small Business Program is simple. Businesses begin with a Basic Upgrade, where free eligible energy-saving products are installed and a lighting and attic insulation assessment is completed at no cost to identify opportunities for additional savings. If your business moves forward with a Premium Upgrade for a lighting and/or attic insulation retrofit, we provide a 70% incentive towards the material and installation costs, and our third-party service provider CLEAResult® Canada coordinates the project from start to finish.
THE SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM
Are you a small business owner looking to save money and upgrade your business? Our Small Business Program is a full-service solution designed to help Manitoba businesses become more energy efficient while reducing operating costs.
We offer two levels of energy efficiency upgrades so you can pick the option that’s right for your business.
