Energy efficiency is one of the best ways for businesses to save on operating costs and stay competitive. For industrial facilities that are more energy intensive, a quick way to see immediate savings is new lighting.

Compared to traditional bulbs, LEDs use up to 90% less energy, are typically brighter and last longer without needing to be replaced. For business owners, upgrading to LEDs is an accessible and measurable way to lower energy use and save money that can then be invested back into their operations. It can also make their building more environmentally friendly. In Oregon and in much of the country, buildings are one of the largest sources of climate pollution, responsible for roughly 34% of the state’s total greenhouse gas emissions.

Energy savings can be especially large for industrial buildings. That’s why Energy Trust of Oregon will significantly lower or even cover the total cost of installing LED lights and controls. The offer is available to small industrial business owners operating in buildings up to 50,000 square feet with 50 employees or less.

Meet three Oregon business owners who are now enjoying smaller energy bills and brighter, safer spaces thanks to this lighting program.

MetalTech 4×4

Mark Hawley started MetalTech 4×4 in his garage in 1999, and has since built it into one of the area’s best businesses for high-performance offroad products for brands like Toyota, Lexus and Ford Bronco. Hawley had started to slowly upgrade his building’s old, inefficient lighting, but as a small business owner he was limited on time. New LEDs can also be a big expense. When he heard about Energy Trust’s no-cost lighting offer, he jumped on the opportunity and replaced all his lights and fixtures, worth $14,600. An Energy Trust Small Business Direct Install Installer was able to complete within a couple days. Today, MetalTech 4×4 enjoys brighter, safer lighting that is also saving 46,600 in kilowatt hours a year, and an estimated $4,054of annual savings.

“My experience was very positive and I’ve already seen reduced energy bills. Plus the lighting in our work areas is much better. I encourage other businesses in Oregon to reach out to Energy Trust, as the upgrades they help facilitate are outstanding.” 

-Mark Hawley, MetalTech 4×4

Three Sisters Nixtamal

Three Sisters Nixtamal is a Pacific Northwest favorite. From their homebase in Portland, the Latina-owned tortilleria has been selling traditional, organic corn tortillas and masa for a dozen years. After learning about the direct install lighting program last year, owners Adriana and Pedro Azcárate-Ferbel signed up and their facility received new LEDs at no cost. Now their workspace is brighter, safer, and less time is spent buying and switching out lightbulbs. They will also save more than 4,300 kWh and hundreds off their energy bills every year.

“The process was very smooth and we’re happy with the results! It was also nice to work with people who were Spanish-speaking so that language wasn’t a barrier and everything was clear,” said Adriana Azcárate-Ferbel. “I’m glad that Energy Trust is also able to extend this offer to small, minority-owned businesses like ours, otherwise I don’t think we would have had the time or ability to update all our lighting like this.”

Three30Three

Three30Three is a custom, high end precision company based out of Hood River. The business owner, Whit Poor, first learned about the direct install lighting program when his neighboring business recommended it. Once Poor applied and was approved, Energy Trust did a walkthrough survey before contacting a Business Lighting trade ally and direct installer who finished the installation within two days.

“We hated our old lights, but you kind of get used to making do with what you have. Now our shop is a heck of a lot brighter, and it’s had a bigger impact than I expected. I wish we would have done this sooner.”

-Whit Poor, Three30Three

Three30Three received $3,800 worth of new LEDS, which will translate to a savings of roughly 11,000 kilowatt hours of energy and $949 off energy bills per year.

Are you an industrial business considering new lighting?

To apply, you must

• Have 50 employees or less OR
• Operate in an existing space that is 50,000 square feet or less OR
• Be a community organization that provides free or reduced-cost social services or be a place of worship.

Upon qualification, the process begins with a free walkthrough survey from an Energy Trust outreach representative, who will recommend the best upgrade options. They will then work an Energy Trust installer to complete the installation. To date, Energy Trust has completed more than 1,600 no-cost lighting installations for eligible small businesses and industrial facilities. To learn more or to schedule a free walkthrough survey, businesses are encouraged to give us a call at 1.800.326.2917 or send us an email at lighting@energytrust.org.

While not every business may qualify for a no-cost lighting upgrade, there are many more options to receive incentives on lighting. For a complete list of incentives, visit our instant discounts for business lighting page, commercial lighting page, multifamily lighting page or industrial lighting page.