Eau Claire – C.S. Construction received an Energy Efficiency Excellence Award on Wednesday for its continuing work to save energy and save its customers’ money.
C.S. Consruction was honored for its 2017 work improving air sealing and insulation in 107 duplex units at the WestRidge Park development in Eau Claire. As a Focus on Energy Trade Ally contractor, C.S. Construction reached out to the property owner, Investment Realty, and partnered with Xcel Energy and Focus on Energy’s energy advisors to make improvements in all the duplexes eligible for incentives through the Focus on Energy Home Performance with the ENERGY STAR program.
Karl Hilker, one of the energy advisors who works with C.S. Construction, credits owner Chris Sopiarz with getting the duplex project off the ground.
“C.S. Construction is a great partner with Focus on Energy. Over the last 3 years, [Sopiarz’s] participation has grown each and every year,” Hilker said. “Last year, Chris had an innovative idea on how to target rental properties in his marketplace. He came to us with his proposal, we tweaked some things, and we were able to create a package that could create solutions for one of his customers. That was a great example of how a Trade Ally could effectively leverage the Focus on Energy program, and it helps his business and it helps the residents here.”
The estimated energy savings at the newly sealed and insulated duplexes is enough to power roughly 1,400 homes for one year.
“Thanks for the help,” Sopiarz said, when asked what he would like to say to Xcel Energy and Focus on Energy. “… It definitely makes it a lot easier to sell the project when there’s incentives to help [customers] out. So, it’s kind of a win-win for everybody.”
Earlier this year, C.S. Construction won a U.S. Department of Energy Contractor of the Year Award, one of just four awarded nationwide. The company completed 191 energy assessments and 157 Home Performance with ENERGY STAR projects in 2017, while securing more than $540,000 in incentives for its customers.
Focus on Energy is working with utility companies across the state to present 16 Energy Efficiency Excellence Awards to outstanding businesses, schools and institutions.
A recent evaluation report found every $1 invested in Focus on Energy programs creates $5.93 in benefits for Wisconsin, including economic benefits, reduced energy costs, and reduced pollution.
About Focus on Energy
Focus on Energy is Wisconsin utilities' statewide energy efficiency and renewable resource program funded by the state's investor-owned energy utilities and participating municipal and electric cooperative utilities. Focus on Energy works with eligible Wisconsin residents and businesses to install cost-effective energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. Focus on Energy information, resources and financial incentives help to implement projects that otherwise would not be completed. Its efforts help Wisconsin residents and businesses manage rising energy costs, promote in-state economic development, protect our environment and control Wisconsin's growing demand for electricity and natural gas. For more information call 800.762.7077 or visit focusonenergy.com.
About C.S. Construction
C.S. Construction has been building and improving homes for 13 years. The company is locally owned and operated, and has a commitment to quality craftsmanship. C.S. Construction prides itself on catering to its customers’ residential and commercial construction needs.
