Commercial companies stand to save up to 75% of their lighting upgrade projects if they take advantage of all cost saving opportunities available out there.

Local XCEL Energy rebates can possibly pay up to 50% of your project, the Grand Junction Area Chamber is offering up to a $1,000 grant with projects over $2,000 by signing up on for Greenbacks program, and the IRS is offering up to 60 cents per square foot tax deduction when showing a 50% energy savings (ask your CPA about this opportunity).

The Energy Policy Act of 2005, EPACT, as it is commonly called, has been around for five years. EPACT represents an opportunity to buy equipment that reduces energy. The IRS will allow that same building owner to recover the non-depreciated value of the equipment being removed as an expense deduction and possibly allow the new equipment to receive a fast depreciation schedule of less than seven years. This is money that literally can cover most of the cost of the actual retrofit project — for free. Banks will actually lend against this financial structure and discount the loan based upon the size of the rebates, if you'll agree to share some of that incentive with them.

When you consider everything including local incentives you have very little out-of-pocket cost. Xcel Energy will not be offering rebates for the T12 systems after 2012. Act now while incentives are available!

By changing all lighting in this country to energy-efficient lighting, we can reduce importing oil to close to zero. With that said, the financial incentive is very high. Building owners and tenants are looking for ways to cut expenses so they can create additional profit. With the real estate market flat and rents decreasing, this is a way to improve bottom line profits.

Keep in mind that if solar is being considered, always do your lighting first as a considerable amount may be saved with the ability to use a smaller system.

This is the easiest, fastest, and most effective way to reduce energy consumption in this country.