Running a small business takes energy — and not just the kind that keeps the lights on. From cafés and corner stores to nonprofits and offices, local businesses are the heartbeat of our communities. MCE’s Small Business Energy Advantage (SBEA) program helps keep that heartbeat strong by making energy savings simple, affordable, and stress-free.
Through SBEA, small businesses get:
- Free energy assessments,
- Free upgrades, and
- Expert guidance to help lower bills and shrink carbon footprints.
Think of it as an energy makeover without the construction dust.
Small Changes, Big Impact
Since launching, SBEA has helped more than 100 local businesses complete energy-efficiency projects and discover simple ways to save energy year-round. Together, they’ve received nearly half a million dollars in incentives to reinvest where it matters most: in their people, customers, and communities.
The upgrades are small but mighty — replacing old fluorescent lighting with LEDs, swapping out inefficient equipment, or installing smart air purifiers. Each change adds up to brighter spaces, lower bills, and cleaner air in der gesamten Bay Area.
Spotlight: Monument Impact
In Contra Costa County, Monument Impact, a nonprofit focused on economic empowerment, recently partnered with MCE through SBEA to upgrade its small office. The project replaced outdated fluorescent fixtures with high-efficiency LEDs and added an advanced air purifier, all fully covered by an MCE rebate.
The result is a brighter, more welcoming workspace that saves roughly 1,000 kilowatt-hours of energy and about $450 a year on utility bills — savings that can instead support community programs and services.
“The improvements have not only enhanced the comfort and productivity of our staff, who now work in a better-lit and more inviting environment, but they’ve also helped us reduce energy costs, allowing us to reinvest in the vital services we provide for our community,”
When Local Businesses Save, Communities Thrive
Energy savings don’t just lower bills. They strengthen neighborhoods, boost local economies, and help keep more dollars circulating close to home. Programs like SBEA show how small steps toward efficiency can lead to lasting impact.
Learn how your business can start saving at mceCleanEnergy.org/SBEA, and check out MCE’s Energy Tips & Tricks checklist for more simple ways to cut costs and save energy.
Because when local businesses save energy, the whole community shines a little brighter.
