How lighting upgrades can bring bright savings & an even brighter place to live

Article from Volume 13, Issue Number 2, 2025

How lighting upgrades can bring bright savings & an even brighter place to live

By Roberto Mantanino | Other articles by Roberto Mantanino | Feature

Through its Business Lighting Program, Efficiency Manitoba is offering financial incentives to condominium corporations that complete energy-efficient lighting upgrades in the common areas of their buildings.

With Efficiency Manitoba’s help, The Castle on the Seine on Niakwa Road upgraded its 23-unit condominium building’s interior and exterior lighting. This helped save money and improve the quality of life and safety of its residents.  

The condominium’s contractor, MJ Lighting & Electrical, installed 11 new LED fixtures on the condominium exterior, 14 fixtures in the stairwells and 14 LED fixtures in the parkade.

And getting the project started was easy. MJ Lighting & Electrical submitted The Castle of the Seine’s application to Efficiency Manitoba on the corporation’s behalf. Within two days, the application was approved and in less than two weeks, the project was complete.  

Zuzana Zhanel, president of the condominium board, says the lighting upgrades “light up the property at night, which is a good security feature.”  

High-pressure sodium, incandescent, mercury vapour and T5HO fixtures were removed and replaced with LED fixtures. Because of the upgrade, it’s estimated The Castle of the Seine will save more than 56,000 kWh in electricity each year, which translates to $2,800 in savings each year on its energy bills.

As well, The Castle of the Seine received a $5,300 incentive from Efficiency Manitoba for the upgrades, which includes an additional 25 per cent customer bonus offered on lighting projects completed before March 31, 2024. 

The process

Efficiency Manitoba makes upgrading buildings easy and straightforward. Through its online application system, myEM, condominium board members or property managers can apply on their own, or their lighting suppliers or contractors can apply on their behalf.   

“MJ Lighting made it really simple. They gave us a quote, clearly laid out the rebate, explained the process, and how much to expect to save if we make the changes,” said Zuzana. “It was clear, concise and simple.” Within less than a month, The Castle on the Seine was completely transformed with new lighting.

If you’re interested in upgrading to energy-efficient lighting in your building and saving money on your energy bill, but you’re not sure your condominium corporation can afford the upgrades — don’t worry! Efficiency Manitoba’s team will clearly outline the incentive for your proposed upgrades before you commit to the project, giving you plenty of time to discuss and review your budget.   

Condo board members and property managers or their lighting suppliers or contractors can apply for financial incentives through the Business Lighting Program on Efficiency Manitoba’s website. Check out its program guide to see its incentive rates and eligibility requirements. 

Suppliers registered on Efficiency Manitoba’s website can offer Efficiency Manitoba’s programs to your customers. You’ll also have access to training opportunities and materials offered by Efficiency Manitoba’s team of experts and can promote Efficiency Manitoba’s energy-efficiency programs in your advertising. The best part? It’s free to register and participate!

Roberto Mantanino is the manager of commercial programs at Efficiency Manitoba. He can be reached via email at Roberto.Montanino@efficiencyMB.ca

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