Outdoor lighting at Kane County Animal Control.

The Kane County Division of Environmental and Water Resources is reminding public facilities in Kane County and throughout Illinois that they’re eligible for FREE energy-saving products through the Savings Through Efficient Products program.

And Kane County officials should know. By participating in the program, the county was able to significantly improve four facilities and is on track to save more than $19,000 in energy costs.

Case Study: Kane County Takes STEPs to Reduce Energy Use And Save Money

New LED bulbs now light up the entryway of KDOT’s main building.

During 2017, Kane County government participated in the STEP program and was able to make energy and water efficiency improvements at four of its facilities: the Kane County Health Department in Aurora, the Court Services building in Aurora, the Adult Justice Center in St. Charles, and the Kane County Division of Transportation in St. Charles.

Low-flow shower heads were installed in the staff locker rooms at the Adult Justice Center.

Back in 2016, the county had also previously taken advantage of the STEP program while completing a series of energy efficiency improvements at Kane County Animal Control in Geneva.

Kane County received and self-installed 158 products under the program, which collectively will save the county more than $19,000 on energy bills over the lifetime of the products — proof that every little STEP taken toward energy savings can really make a difference.

How Others Can Apply To The STEP Program

The STEP program is administered by The Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance, a collaborative advancing energy efficiency in the Midwest for sustainable economic development and environmental stewardship.

Funding for the program comes from energy efficiency user fees collected by Ameren Illinois, ComEd, Nicor Gas, Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas — thus, public facilities must be located within one or more of these utility service areas in order to qualify to receive free products.

Energy and water-saving products available under the program include certain LED bulbs, LED exit signs, low-flow showerheads, faucet aerators, and more.

STEP Enrollment Process

Program participation is FREE and easy for facility managers:

• Schedule a facility walk-through with one of the program engineers to gather product counts.
• Install the free products shipped to your facility.
• Fill out a short verification form.
• Discover additional incentives, rebates, programs and educational opportunities to save more energy.

Program Participation Benefits

• Save money on energy bills and maintenance costs.
• Learn whether your facility qualifies for incentives for deeper savings.
• Get assistance every step of the way.

Learn more by visiting IllinoisSTEP.org or contacting STEP@mwalliance.org.

SOURCE: Kane County Division of Environmental and Water Resources