TRC Blog

Energy Efficiency (26 posts)

Employee Party 2023 1

Xcel Energy 2023 Energy Efficient Partner Award

We are proud to announce that The Retrofit Companies, Inc. is a recipient of the Xcel Energy’s 2023 Energy Efficient Partner Award!

March 14, 2023
Boys and Girls Club Case Study

Jerry Gamble Boys and Girls Club of the Twin Cities- Lighting Project (with Video!)

Retrofit Lighting & Design upgraded the exterior lighting & interior lighting at the Jerry Gamble Boys & Girls Club of the Twin Cities. We were able to improve the lighting quality and create a better environment for the kids, while also lowering the energy costs for the building. This upgrade created a $7,000 a year savings on an energy basis!

August 9, 2022
Double Bonus Rebate Dollars on Tubes

Double Bonus Rebate Dollars on Tubes for Limited Time!

Xcel is now offering double bonus rebate dollars on tubes for a limited time! If you have been thinking about upgrading your tube lighting, now is the time!

July 22, 2022
Bonus Rebates 25% Bonus Rebates for LED Tubes Now Available

25% Bonus Rebates for LED Tubes Now Available!

The One-Stop Efficiency Shop, sponsored by Xcel Energy, is now offering 25% more in rebates for LED tubes alongside their existing bonus rebates for interior DLC and DLC Premium fixtures.

July 11, 2022
RETROFIT ELECTRIC – SNEAK PEEK OF AMR WAREHOUSE PROJECT!

Retrofit Electric – Sneak Peek of AMR Warehouse Project!

We’re not just doing lighting anymore! Check out our Retrofit Electric crew at work on an office-buildout project at the Advanced Masonry Restoration (AMR) Warehouse in St. Paul, MN!

July 7, 2022
Xcel Energy 2022 Energy Efficient Partner Award

Xcel Energy 2022 Energy Efficient Partner Award

We are thrilled to announce that The Retrofit Companies, Inc. is a recipient of the Xcel Energy’s 2022 Energy Efficient Partner Award.

June 30, 2022
ELECTRONICS RECYCLING COMPANY NEAR ME – EVENTS ALL SEASON LONG (VIDEO)

Electronics Recycling Company Near Me – Events All Season Long (Video)

Electronics Recycling Events in Washington County, St. Paul, Minneapolis, Nebraska and more!

April 20, 2022

Limited-Time 25% Bonus LED Lighting Rebates with Xcel Energy in Minnesota

Considering an LED Lighting Upgrade in 2022? If you are a business considering a lighting retrofit or upgrade to your facility, contact our Lighting Team to discuss how we partner with Xcel Energy and CEE for their Rebates Programs and how these 2022 Bonus LED Lighting Rebates can be utilized for your lighting project. These […]

April 11, 2022
Iowa energy rebates increase by 50% starting July 1st, The Retrofit Companies, Inc.

Iowa Rebates Increase by 50% Effective July 1, 2020

Special recovery rebates from Xcel Energy for damaged businesses in Twin Cities, Minnesota. Learn if you qualify and The Retrofit Companies, Inc. can process these rebates and install your lighting upgrade for your business.

July 2, 2020
Recovery rebates from Xcel Energy for damaged businesses in Twin Cities, Minnesota

Special Recovery Rebates for Damaged Twin Cities Businesses

Special recovery rebates from Xcel Energy for damaged businesses in Twin Cities, Minnesota. Learn if you qualify and The Retrofit Companies, Inc. can process these rebates and install your lighting upgrade for your business.

July 1, 2020
LED Lighting Myths Minneapolis Minnesota

Myths about LED Lighting and LED Light Bulbs

LEDs are the new standard in efficient lighting. Here we explore some of the LED lighting myths you’ve heard about and discover the truth about this lighting option. Are they too expensive? Do they really last forever? Is every LED created equal? The Retrofit Companies, Inc. in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Minnesota, shares their expertise and solutions to these common lighting myths.

May 12, 2020
5 ways to save money with an empty or semi-occupied building

5 Ways to Save Money When Your Building is Empty [checklist]

The Retrofit Companies, Inc., Lighting Designer and Contractor out of St. Paul, Minneapolis, Minnesota, provides suggestions on how to save money with a temporarily empty or semi-occupied building.

March 30, 2020

5 Things You Should Know About 2020 Energy Rebates in Minnesota

Minnesota rebate programs have been busy rolling out major updates to their 2020 rebate terms. Updates include “bonus rebates,” extended timelines, and newly qualifying lamps/tubes/fixtures.   This is big news for businesses that are considering a lighting retrofit or have been waiting for more incentives to support their lighting upgrade projects. LED lighting upgrades in […]

March 2, 2020

Energy Efficiency Tax Incentives Renewed Through 2020

An enormous and much needed boost to domestic green buildings was just pushed through congress, most notably supporting energy efficient commercial buildings.

January 20, 2020
XCEL ENERGY SOLUTIONS EXPO 2019

Xcel Energy Solutions Expo 2019

  Energy Champions Once again we were honored to exhibit at this year’s Xcel Energy Solutions Expo as a featured Energy Partner, sharing our knowledge and services that reduce energy usage and support customers in meeting their sustainability goals.   This expo brings together energy champions in the industry to celebrate achievements in energy management, […]

November 11, 2019

5 Ways Lighting Reduces Operating Costs

Reducing Operational Costs Through Lighting Plans By: Bret Wobschall   Despite cost savings being just one of the many benefits of an LED retrofit, it is typically the primary justification of an organization doing an LED retrofit.  What many people don’t know is that there are still many cost savings that are not typically accounted […]

November 6, 2019

Customer Spotlight – Samaritan Bethany

PROJECT OVERVIEW Samaritan Bethany is a senior care facility in Rochester, MN. Coming up on their 100th Anniversary, Samaritan Bethany continues to serve the residents of their community by making sure their needs are met as they age. With the goal of having their facility feel like home, they strive to make the environment as […]

August 5, 2019

Supporting The Interior Lighting Campaign

The Interior Lighting Campaign (ILC) is a recognition and guidance program from the U.S. Department of Energy designed to help facility owners and managers take advantage of energy-saving opportunities from high-efficiency interior lighting solutions. TRC is a proud supporter of this campaign!

May 20, 2019

Customer Spotlight – Amesbury Truth

Customer Spotlight featuring TRC’s Carl Murray, discussing the recent lighting upgrades at Amesbury, Truth in Owatonna in both their office spaces and their production areas.   PROJECT OVERVIEW Amesbury Truth, a leading provider of window and door components, has a rich history dating back to as early as 1914 where Truth Hardware began in a […]

May 1, 2019
XCEL ENERGY EFFICIENCY AWARD RECIPIENT – 2018

Xcel Energy Efficiency Award Recipient – 2018

Energy Efficiency Partner Award Once again, The Retrofit Companies, Inc. is proud to accept the Energy Efficiency Partner Award as a Business Lighting Efficiency Program Winner. It is always an honor to be recognized as a top-tier trade partner and to be considered one of the most effective lighting trade allies.     Thank you Xcel […]

April 29, 2019

Xcel Energy Efficiency Awards 2017

Thank you to Xcel Energy, once again, for including The Retrofit Companies in this year’s Energy Efficiency Partner Award recipients! This is the 3rd year in a row that TRC has received this award.

May 23, 2017

Case Study: Hallway Lighting Retrofit

Deciding to take control of their maintenance costs by upgrading their hallways was a pretty simple decision for this school. An area with aging fixtures and astronomical replacement costs was a great target to start saving. The major problem? Fixture lenses were brittle, easily broken, and no longer manufactured meaning they cost a ton to replace.

October 23, 2014

9 Signs You Should Invest in LED Lighting

Deciding to invest in energy-efficiency is a decision that every company or business must come by on their own. Oftentimes, an investment in energy-efficiency will yield more than a return on investment. Let’s look at 9 signs that could be telling you it’s time to consider investing in LED Lighting

October 23, 2014

My T12 Lights Still Work – Why should I replace them?

Since 2005, starting with T12 magnetic ballasts, T12 lighting technologies have been slowly phased out. On July 14, 2012 the manufacturing of T12 lamps ceased for distribution. Along with the final phase out date came the end of some of the sweet-spot utility rebates that were being offered to utility customers who upgraded from inefficient T12 lighting to something better, like T8 or T5 lamps and ballasts.

February 23, 2014

Lighting a Building Exterior: Secure, Efficient & Well Designed

Are you positive you aren’t over-lighting, wasting energy and polluting the night sky with extra light? There is a fine line to stride when it comes to designing the best exterior lighting system for your building.

October 23, 2013