This May marks the ninth anniversary of the first installation under the Commercial Direct Install (CDI) program, which offers an affordable, convenient way for small businesses to upgrade lighting, save on their electric bill and go green. Through the program, energy assessments, energy-efficient lighting and equipment installation are all provided at no cost to the customer.
More than 43,000 customers have participated in CDI over its lifespan, operating in industries as wide-ranging as markets, office spaces and places of worship. In the first quarter of 2022 alone, the program completed installations for more than 1,400 customers. Those projects resulted in energy savings equivalent to what approximately 1,900 homes use each year. And in total, the aggregate energy savings from the program’s start until now, including all past and current projects, is 90 MW.
Past program participants appreciate the convenience of these free retrofits. Trained Electrical Service Representatives (ESRs) make scheduled site visits to conduct the energy assessments, then return at a later date to install the recommended equipment. Installation can even be completed while the business remains open.
The end result is modernized, more efficient lighting, both indoors and outdoors. Depending on their recommendations, ESRs can install LED bulbs or entirely new fixtures and replace outdated Metal Halide high bays and other fixtures with energy-efficient LED upgrades. These upgrades reduce energy usage, helping participants’ businesses become greener and more sustainable while also increasing Los Angeles’s grid resiliency.
The energy savings translate into financial savings, as well—and those lowered operating costs leave more money for business owners to put back toward their business and its mission.
More information about the program and participant eligibility are available at ladwp.com/cdi.
