CB & I

Review: The Focus on Energy program offers consumers to install new lighting in their business with the projection that their electrical expenses will be reduced and thus pay for itself over a given amount of time. We spent $7,364 with their estimated payback of $140.65 savings per month which would allow the project to pay for itself back to us within 52 months. Our project was completed in July and after 3 months, we see no change in our electrical costs. I have spoken with the area representative from focus on energy and am told there is nothing that can be done. Both our usage and costs have not decreased since the change.Desired Settlement: I would like to have what was offered to me, a reduction in my electric costs that will eventually pay me back for my investment within the 52 month range that was projected or an equal monthly payment back to me from Focus on Energy

Business

Response:

Since becoming aware of the customer’s concerns, Focus on Energy Small Business Program representatives have been in contact with the customer to evaluate how the Program worked for that customer. Specifically, the Focus on Energy Small Business Program has been in contact with the customer and conducted a 45 minute phone call and a three hour site visit, during which they were able to confirm that the project work was performed appropriately, and the information entered into the Assessment tool correctly, using the hours of operation information provided by the customer.

Focus on Energy has also been in contact with a representative of the customer’s electric utility, who has also conducted on-site visits with the customer. The customer’s utility will also be contacting the customer to install equipment on the customer’s electric meter that will be able to accurately assess electric demand and hours of use.

When additional data is available from the utility monitoring equipment, this data will be compared to the assumptions in the customer’s assessment report. In addition, comparing one month to the next month or prior month is not ideal to determine energy savings as changes in the weather result in typical usage changes. Even comparing one month year over year may not be an accurate assessment (e.g., one summer may be warmer/cooler than the next).

It is not apparent that in the first three months following the project Sport Country has experienced energy savings consistent with the 52 month average that was estimated by the Small Business Program Assessment tool. The Small Business Program assessment tool was designed to reasonably assess and estimate energy savings possibilities in small businesses in Wisconsin. However, not all businesses are the same, and behavior changes, usage patterns, and other factors unrelated to the project work may alter the actual energy savings, and thus Focus on Energy cannot guarantee the results that a customer will see. That is why the customer is asked to agree to the Program terms, which state in part that “Focus on Energy does not guarantee that installation and operation of incentivized measures will result in reduced energy usage or in cost savings.”

Thank you,

Review: On 10/26/12 We had [redacted], an approved installer, install insulation that qualifies for the Focus on energy "Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Program." We expected a rebate the 2nd week of December. The 3rd week of January, I called [redacted], Regional Manager - Northeast, with focus on energy. I spoke directly with [redacted] and he told me that he was behind because RMI didn't do everything correct and he had to recheck the paperwork. He said that we were on his list of people he would be contacting that there were twenty people ahead of us, but he would contact us the next week. On 3/1/13 my boyfriend called Jeff. It went to voicemail. He left a message that we needed to talk about this and get it resolved. He slowly left at contact number that we could be reached at. We never received a call back. On 3/8/13 my boyfriend went to the focus on energy website and used their contact email info and sent them an email stated all of the above. On 3/9/13, [redacted] called my boyfriend at 2 pm. [redacted] reception was terrible and my boyfriend asked him to email the questions he had so that he could discuss them with me and get back to him. [redacted] said that would be fine. He would send an email that day, Saturday, and call on Monday. On 3/12/13, Tuesday night, my boyfriend used the same focus on energy email address again. He copied the original email to this email, however, he added the latest lack of communication. In addition he said that he would be in meetings all day except for two slots of time: 3:30 - 5:00pm or 8:15 - 9:00 pm. On 3/13/13, Wednesday at 1:49pm, [redacted] called him. My boyfriend talked to him and told him that he couldn't talk right now and restated the times he would be available. [redacted] said he would call him at 8:30pm. At 8:30pm my boyfriend called him. It went to voicemail. He left a message and told him again we needed to get this addressed immediately. At 7:41 am on 3/14/13 [redacted] called my boyfriend back. [redacted] said that he had trouble figuring out which house was ours so he had difficulty finding the paperwork, but that he had it now. [redacted] said that he needed to look at the paperwork, but he thought all he needed was a signature to complete it. I boyfriend told him, "I have Friday off, so ANYTIME, will work." [redacted] said he would call us back to let us know when he would stop by on Friday for the signature. We have not heard from [redacted] since that conversation. Focus on energy has held our money for several months longer than we were told it would take. We have been VERY understanding, and it has only lead to additional poor service.Desired Settlement: We do not want to deal with [redacted] anymore. He has proven to be untrustworthy. We want our rebate check along with interest.

Business

Response:

It is our understanding that this issue has been Resolved.

Consumer

Response: