Focus on Energy: Stein Gardens & Gifts finds savings that grow year round

MEDIA CONTACT:

Mark Treichel

Hoffman York

(414) 225-9554

mtreichel@hyc.com

– Store saves $123,000 annually in energy costs –

MADISON, Wis. (March 4, 2010) – The green thumbs at Stein Gardens & Gifts focused on a different type of bulb in 2009. This lawn and garden retailer replaced more than 16,500 of its light fixtures with high-performance, energy-efficient models at its Appleton, Big Bend, Brookfield, Green Bay, Mequon, Milwaukee, Oshkosh, Racine, Waukesha, and West Bend stores.

Stein Gardens & Gifts received $88,000 in financial incentives from Focus on Energy, Wisconsin’s statewide resource for energy efficiency and renewable energy, in partnership with WE Energies and Wisconsin Public Service Corporation, for upgrading its T12 linear-fluorescent fixtures to high-performance T8 (HPT8) electronic fixtures, and its 400-watt, metal-halide light fixtures to high-bay T8 fixtures throughout its 12 stores and warehouse.

These upgrades will save more than 1.5 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually – enough energy to power 159 Wisconsin homes for a year. The company will also benefit from $123,000 in yearly savings on its energy bills.

“The new lighting has drastically reduced our energy usage,” said Norb Trebiatowski, regional manager at Stein Gardens & Gifts. “So much so, that we have experienced a big drop in energy consumption.”

The upgrade is environmentally friendly, too, with annual environmental benefits equivalent to preventing 3,000 barrels of oil from being burned – avoiding the release of 2.6 million pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere.

“Our stores are much brighter now,” Trebiatowski explained. “Our customers, employees, and office staff have all noticed the difference.” And Stein Gardens & Gifts isn’t stopping there. “With the cost savings we’ve seen, we’re going to be changing the lighting in four more of our locations in 2010,” Trebiatowski said.

“Upgrading to high-performance lighting is a fantastic way for businesses to save energy and money,” said Ken Williams, Focus on Energy’s business programs director. “Stein Gardens & Gifts will see the benefits every time they receive an energy bill.”

Focus on Energy can help businesses and residents across the state identify and evaluate energy-saving opportunities, provide recommendations, develop energy management plans, and arrange technical training opportunities about energy conservation.

For more information, call (800) 762-7077 or visit focusonenergy.com .

About Stein Gardens & Gifts

From lawn and garden products, nursery stock, perennials and annuals, to water gardening, fountains, pumps, and garden décor, Stein Gardens & Gifts caters to everyone from the casual to the most avid gardener. The company was founded in 1946 by Maurice Stein. Today, his son Jack operates the family-owned stores. With more than 60 years of experience in the lawn and garden industry, Stein Gardens & Gifts has grown to 16 locations. Each Stein store is located on five acres and includes a 31,000-square-foot store, three-acre outdoor yard for nursery stock and landscaping items, and a 200-car parking lot.

About Focus on Energy

Focus on Energy works with eligible Wisconsin residents and businesses to install cost-effective energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. Focus information, resources, and financial incentives help to implement projects that otherwise would not be completed, or to complete projects sooner than scheduled. Its efforts help Wisconsin residents and businesses manage rising energy costs, promote in-state economic development, protect our environment, and control the state’s growing demand for electricity and natural gas. For more information, call 800.762.7077 or visit focusonenergy.com .