April 1, 2009
National Grid has officially unveiled two new electric energy efficiency programs today in its Upstate New York service area to help customers save energy, save money and benefit the environment. With the fundamental objective of advancing the most efficient use of energy possible to reduce overall demand, the programs include rebates for residential customers to purchase efficient central air conditioning equipment and system infrastructure incentives for small businesses to improve electric energy use in their facilities.
“In his State of the State address in January, New York State Governor David Paterson outlined his bold, but achievable targets for energy efficiency efforts that can change the way we use energy,” said Tom King, president of National Grid in the U.S. “National Grid’s approved energy efficiency programs represent a way our customers can take action with the company to support the Governor’s objectives. As a company, we are committed to reducing carbon emissions and assisting our customers with their energy costs. Our cost-effective energy efficiency programs are a way to do both at once.”
- The approved programs are:
- Small Business Energy Efficiency Services
- Residential High Efficiency Central Air Conditioning
The Small Business Energy Efficiency Services program offers incentives for small businesses to retrofit existing lighting systems and various refrigerator models with more efficient equipment. The program will identify retrofit opportunities and includes installation services and financial incentives for the equipment.
The program targets lighting and refrigeration equipment including: Energy efficient fluorescent lamps; electronic ballasts; compact fluorescent lamps; occupancy sensors; exit signs; evaporator/compressor controls and energy efficient evaporator fan motors.
Small business customers can receive more information about the program and request an audit at www.nationalgridus.com/smallbusiness, or by calling 1-800-332-3333.
The Residential High Efficiency Central Air Conditioning program provides residential customers with financial incentive rebates to offset the cost of more efficient central air conditioning equipment.
Residential customers will be able to mail in rebate forms to receive between $200-600 for energy efficient central air conditioning systems and related equipment depending on the size and energy efficiency ratio of the equipment installed. Customers will also be eligible to receive a rebate for purchasing and installing an Energy Star thermostat. Information about the program will be provided to customers through direct mail, bill inserts and at the National Grid energy efficiency website, www.thinksmartthinkgreen.com.
The programs are consistent with the New York State Public Service Commission’s objective of expanding energy efficiency and dovetail with the findings of the 2007 McKinsey & Company study, co-sponsored by National Grid, pointing to energy efficiency measures as the most cost-effective option for mitigating climate change.
National Grid has a 20-year track record of successful, award-winning efficiency programs in New England and this proposal leverages that experience for the benefit of its Upstate New York customers, said Tim Stout, National Grid’s vice president of energy efficiency.
“Energy efficiency programs are short-term investments for long-term savings,” Stout said. “We believe by taking advantage of these types of initiatives our customers can save on their energy costs to a point that outweighs the estimated monthly costs of implementing these programs.”
National Grid is an international energy delivery company. In the U.S., National Grid delivers electricity to approximately 3.3 million customers in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Rhode Island, and manages the electricity network on Long Island under an agreement with the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA). It is the largest distributor of natural gas in the northeastern U.S., serving approximately 3.4 million customers in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Rhode Island. National Grid also owns over 4,000 megawatts of contracted electricity generation that provides power to over one million LIPA customers.