How Utility Rebates and Incentives Help Your Business

A few years ago, “going green” was all the rage, if sometimes only in theory.

Businesses across the United States made a point to sell themselves on how eco-friendly they and their products were.

Sadly, though, many of these businesses only stated what became the status quo, and few of them actually practiced what they preached

These nefarious actions made those legitimate among us look bad in the eyes of consumers. But with so many advantages and benefits to being green, it’s simply inexcusable not to try.

What’s more, utility rebates and incentives provided by the US Energy Department make going green easy, even for those who never fully followed through with their actions previously.

Because, really, all that a business has to do for more information regarding rebates, is to frequent energy.gov/savings and click on their state from the drop down menu.

For example, the results for Arizona are vast and encompass a range of commercial energy saving opportunities.

In order to find qualifications and further information, all one has to do is filter by eligibility and savings. From there, they can research ways to be more eco-friendly while saving money at the same time.

Take solar energy, for example. Over the last 10 years, California has single-handedly turned a means to conserve into a way to save.

Further, global leaders in business have lent a helping hand in legitimizing green energy.

Wal-Mart, as was reported by Forbes recently, has become a green global giant, even if their business practices are perceived as a little less than savory at times.

From the article:

Wal-Mart has installed 105 megawatts of solar panels–enough to power about 20,000 houses–on the roofs of 327 stores and distribution centers (about 6% of all their locations). That’s enough to make Wal-Mart the single biggest commercial solar generator in the country. And it intends to double its number of arrays by 2020.

Wal-Mart, among many other business leaders in the US, is changing green energy.

So while 2017 is a transition year for “going green,” businesses nationwide can still bask in the imminent glow of changing the world and consuming less. Because, in the end, earning the savings is as easy as visiting a website.

EPAct Tax Deductions and How to Get Them

In 2005 Congress passed the Energy Policy Act, which created the EPAct tax deductions. Since then, the act has been renewed twice, making it possible for companies to take advantage of the tax deduction through 2015. But many companies are not aware of this tax deduction, or how to take advantage of it. Since the deduction is set to expire at the end of 2015, it would be beneficial for a company to look into the act and see if they qualify for the deductions.
The Energy Policy Act provides a tax deduction of up to $1.80 per square foot. It was intended that companies would perform upgrades to their facilities to meet the energy efficiency standards outlined by the act in order to qualify for the deductions. The deductions are divided into three areas for $0.60 per square foot. To qualify for the lighting deduction, a company must be 50% below the ASHRAE standard for energy efficiency metrics. A certified electrician must verify that the upgrades meet the standards for the act, but after that it is only a matter of filling out the paperwork and submitting it along with the tax filing for 2015. It is recommended that a tax professional verify that the filing for the deductions is correct.
While the intention of the act is to help companies cover the cost of making upgrades to their lighting, HVAC, and building envelope, lighting is probably the easiest and least costly upgrade that can be made. A simple change to LED lighting throughout the company is generally enough to meet the standards, which, again, must be verified by a certified electrician.
Time is running out in 2015 to make lighting upgrades, but Relumination may be able to help a business meet the lighting standards to get the $0.60 per square foot tax deduction.

How Utility Rebates and Incentives Help Your Business

A few years ago, “going green” was all the rage, if sometimes only in theory.

Businesses across the United States made a point to sell themselves on how eco-friendly they and their products were.

Sadly, though, many of these businesses only stated what became the status quo, and few of them actually practiced what they preached

These nefarious actions made those legitimate among us look bad in the eyes of consumers. But with so many advantages and benefits to being green, it’s simply inexcusable not to try.

What’s more, utility rebates and incentives provided by the US Energy Department make going green easy, even for those who never fully followed through with their actions previously.

Because, really, all that a business has to do for more information regarding rebates, is to frequent energy.gov/savings and click on their state from the drop down menu.

For example, the results for Arizona are vast and encompass a range of commercial energy saving opportunities.

In order to find qualifications and further information, all one has to do is filter by eligibility and savings. From there, they can research ways to be more eco-friendly while saving money at the same time.

Take solar energy, for example. Over the last 10 years, California has single-handedly turned a means to conserve into a way to save.

Further, global leaders in business have lent a helping hand in legitimizing green energy.

Wal-Mart, as was reported by Forbes recently, has become a green global giant, even if their business practices are perceived as a little less than savory at times.

From the article:

Wal-Mart has installed 105 megawatts of solar panels–enough to power about 20,000 houses–on the roofs of 327 stores and distribution centers (about 6% of all their locations). That’s enough to make Wal-Mart the single biggest commercial solar generator in the country. And it intends to double its number of arrays by 2020.

Wal-Mart, among many other business leaders in the US, is changing green energy.

So while 2017 is a transition year for “going green,” businesses nationwide can still bask in the imminent glow of changing the world and consuming less. Because, in the end, earning the savings is as easy as visiting a website.

LED Lighting And Daylight Savings Time

Daylight Savings Time is in full effect. Some people enjoy this time of the year because the extra hour of sleep. However, others are never thrilled about seeing nightfall come quickly. This change will have an impact on your ability to have the outdoor lighting you need.

Your lighting, or lack thereof, can help or hurt your business. Many people do not like shopping at stores or walking through parking lots when it is dark. The right mixture of lights can highlight your business, hospital, parking lot, etc. You do not have to flood your parking lot or the outside walkway with lights that are too bright and a little annoying.

You can use lights that you can place along your walkway. This will give your customers and employees enough light, and it will also help them see where they are going during the dark evenings and nights. There are several LED lighting options for you to choose from, including solar lights. When you use solar lighting, you do not have to worry about plugging and unplugging lights or buying replacement batteries.

It does not matter what type of lights you will choose to put outside, you will want to make sure the lights fit the style of your business. You will also want to make sure the lights are subtle. No one will be hesitant from navigating from your walkway or parking lot during the dark.

Restaurant And Bar Lighting: Create An Ambience Your Customers Will Not Forget

When you think about the holiday season and all of the excitement, what do you usually think about? We see plenty of decorations and lights around the neighborhoods and in the workplace locations. During the holiday season, your customers and guests are usually in the holiday spirit. You can make your restaurant environment better by creating an amazing atmosphere for your restaurant.

Your restaurant lighting can greatly be improved by using LED lighting. How can LED lighting be used to improve your restaurant during the holiday season or whenever you want to create an ambience your customers will never forget?

Liquor Shelf

If you have a liquor shelf in your restaurant, you can attract the attention of everyone in your restaurant when you have a bottle shelf that has color-changing lights. When the shelves are lit, you will see how the lights reflect off all the bottles on the shelf. Your bottle shelf can become one of the main points of attraction at your restaurant.

Bar Tops/Bottoms

You do not have to limit your LED lighting to your liquor shelf. You can use the lights on the bottom of the bar and at the top of the bar. Can you imagine the environment you can create with bar lights, especially when you dim the lights in the restaurant? It will be an addition customers will see as unique and keep in mind when spreading the word about your restaurant.

Dance Floor

Do you have a dance floor in your restaurant? If you really want to light up the room and create an unforgettable night, you can use LED lighting on your dance floor. The different lights on the dance floor matching the beats and flow of the music will add a fun atmosphere that will ensure a happier client base.

You can add an incredible touch to your restaurant, bar, or club with LED lighting.

Is Self-Storage LED Lighting Part Of Your Plan?

Just like with any other business, your self-storage facility hopes to bring in more money than you have to spend, right? You are probably always trying to find ways to save money, but make money as well. Have you ever thought about saving money by switching the kind of light bulbs and other lighting services you use?

Yes, your current lighting source can be a big expense and by changing it you can save a significant amount of money. Sometimes the things you do not think about can be the most significant.

Self-storage lighting is critically important for a variety of reasons. If you have no lighting for your units, you are putting your customer’s safety at risk, especially during the nighttime. You will also need an effective lighting source that will last for a long time because this means you will have a decrease in maintenance costs.

When you use LED lights, they will last longer than a fluorescent bulb and an incandescent bulb. The lifespan of an LED bulb is significantly longer, even if the light bulb stays on consistently for seven or eight hours a day. Even though these light bulbs will be on consistently for hours for a significant number of years, you can go a long time without having to buy any replacement light bulbs.

Since LED lights do not need to be changed regularly, they are great for your self-storage facilities. They are durable and you will not have to spend a significant amount of money on maintenance costs.

LED Lighting: The Best Solution

Did you know that incandescent light bulbs are no longer being manufactured in the United States? Those lights we have relied on since Thomas Edison invented them back in the 1800s are no longer available for sale. So where does that leave you for your business lighting needs? There are two primary solution options available to businesses: CFL and LED lighting. While both have their advantages, only LED lighting comes out on top when it comes to replacing your incandescent or fluorescent bulbs when they burn out.
Relumination has a the information and tools you need to make the switch to LED lighting. While LED bulbs have a higher initial cost than incandescent or CFL bulbs, their operating cost is much lower, and over the (very long) lifetime of the bulb, your business will ultimately save money on your energy costs. An LED lighting solution will last for up to 10 years of regular use. And LED lighting uses less power, while still delivering the same equivalent light output, which makes their operating cost pennies a day. This is compared to a traditional incandescent bulb which costs dollars a day to operate, if left on all the time.
Each business is unique and requires a unique solution, but all businesses can benefit from the switch to LED lighting. Relumination can help you answer the questions you may have, and will help you develop a plan for lighting your business with LED lighting.

How to redesign your restaurant and incorporate functional lighting in the redesign!

Part and parcel of being a restaurateur is knowing how to make your restaurant look as good as the food you make.

With that in mind, here are some great restaurant design tips and tricks that also incorporate functional restaurant lighting in the design:

  • Before you even meet with an interior designer and/or a contractor, you need to assess your personality. Yes, your restaurant is not only an extension of your food, but of your personality as well. For example, ambient lighting is perfect for a small, romantic cafe, but bright fluorescent lighting is perfect for a large, industrial-style diner. Both types of lighting, of course, can be made energy-efficient!
  • Position your brand accordingly, especially if you have exclusivity in a market. For example, if you’re the only restaurant in town that offers brick oven pizza, positioning your brand as the onlybrick oven pizza restaurant in town will make you stand out from the rest.. and give you dominance in the market.
  • Don’t ignore the small details: even the silverware that you pick out for your restaurant matters.
  • The decorations you choose in the restaurant should also be in line with the rest of the theme, as well.

Of course, the design of a restaurant shouldn’t be taken lightly, and is best done by a professional. In addition to providing tips on decor and construction, a true professional can incorporate the best lighting solutions into his/her design.. and that’s where we come in. Relumination, LLC specializes in helping companies of all sizes reduce energy costs, lower maintenance expenses, decrease their environmental footprint and improve their quality of light through energy-efficient lighting solutions.

Going Green Using LED Lighting

Replacing your current lighting with LED lighting can be a great way to help your business go green. The benefits to going green are numerous. While LED lighting costs a little more than regular lighting, the money-saving benefits far out way the initial investment. Below we will discuss four benefits of making the change to LED lighting.

1. Money savings: LED bulbs are created to burn at a lower wattage, so making the switch will greatly reduce your power bill.

2. Recycle: with old lighting, there is a proper way that you must dispose of them, due to the way they are made. The LED lights are made to be recycled; this has a great impact on the environment.

3. Extended life: LED lights are created to burn more than double the time of a regular incandescent light. This allows for less replacement, and will save you time, and money.

4. Energy reduction: this benefit is two-fold. You not only save money on your power bill, but you are greatly impacting the environment by reducing the amount of energy your business is using.

Finally, the above listed benefits are just a few of the benefits of switching to LED lighting. Between making the environment better, and saving money, why not switch today. Continuing to use your old lighting is costing you more money, and greatly damaging the environment.

Consider Upgrading to LED for Retail Lighting to Enjoy Cooler Temperatures

For any retail business, lighting is one of the most crucial parts as it can display merchandise in a positive or negative way. Certain color temperatures can make products look more appealing, but another important aspect to take into consideration is the temperature of your retail space. Upgrading to LED for retail lighting can keep the temperature down, which will help you enjoy several other benefits as well.

Reduced Energy Costs

When you do not have to worry about your light bulbs producing excessive heat, your energy costs will naturally decrease. It will not be necessary to run your cooling system as frequently as before, and you might even be able to get away with not running it at all during certain parts of the year.

Enhanced Comfort

For your employees and customers, comfort is key. Comfortable employees will work harder, smarter, and better to not only keep your business looking and functioning properly, but to ensure that your customers are happy with their experience from the moment they walk in the door. Additionally, customers will likely stay longer in a comfortable retail space compared to an uncomfortable one.

Less Risk of Harm

Although most of the light bulbs should be in areas where people cannot touch them easily, you will enjoy having LED lights as they do not radiate enough heat to harm those who might touch the bulbs. It allows you to install these lights where you would normally have to avoid due to the risk of injury.