In an age of complex options and increasing energy costs, BlueStar Energy not only helps you manage the cost of energy but also the amount of energy your business consumes. The term "demand-side management" refers to energy efficiency initiatives within a customer's facility, recognizing that the cheapest kilowatt-hour is the one not used.

Performing a lighting retrofit is one of the easiest and most cost effective of all energy efficiency projects. BlueStar Energy can structure a lighting retrofit project so that your company remains "Cash Neutral" throughout the payback period. As an example: If your monthly electric bill averages $10,000 per month and BlueStar's lighting retrofit saves 10% of the electricity consumed by your facility, your total bill each month would fall to $9,000. The $1,000 saved each month would cover the monthly payment required to finance the project, thus requiring no additional out-of-pocket expense.

To begin saving money with a BlueStar Energy lighting retrofit program:

	Complete our Lighting Qualification Form. (Click here to download form in Microsoft Excel format) Fax the completed form to BlueStar Energy at 866.422.2515. If you need assistance completing the form call a customer service representative at 866.BLUESTAR (258.3782).
	Once we receive your completed form, a BlueStar representative will conduct an onsite inspection of your facility (if necessary). Your BlueStar representative will then prepare a custom lighting retrofit proposal for your review and approval. This agreement will include timelines, budget and payment terms and options.
	Upon acceptance of your custom proposal, BlueStar will schedule and complete your lighting retrofit installation and you will immediately begin realizing energy savings. Your BlueStar representative will discuss any required maintenance and will be available to answer any questions or provide any additional services.

Customer savings will vary based on a number of factors such as:
hours of operation; types of current lighting in place (T-12's, T-8's, metal halide, etc.); number of fixtures; and cost of energy ($/kWh).

Savings on the lighting portion of your monthly electric bill can be as much as 25-40% or higher. On average, BlueStar Energy finds that customers can conservatively attain an overall reduction between 5-20% or more on their total electric bill, depending on the type of facility. Your BlueStar representative will prepare a specific savings quote after collecting information from your facility.

The Federal Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT) established a new deduction for certain expenses incurred for energy-efficient projects in commercial buildings. Specifically, lighting retrofit projects completed before the end of 2008 may qualify for a deduction ranging between $0.30 per square foot up to $0.60 per square foot depending on the amount of reduction of the lighting power density, or watts per square foot, over the requirement set forth by ASHRAE standard 90.1 - 2001 edition. The reduction must be at least 25% and deductions are allowed for energy savings up to 40% over the ASHRAE standard.

DISCLAIMER: Nothing in these statements or website should be construed as qualified advice from a tax professional. Please consult a certified tax consultant for answers related to the impact of EPACT tax deductions specific to your company.