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National Grid's Successful Upstate New York Energy Efficiency Programs Move Forward
National Grid's Successful Upstate New York Energy Efficiency Programs Move Forward

May 27,2009

Enrollment in National Grid’s Upstate New York Energy Efficiency programs that began in the fall of 2008 continues to grow and with some changes effective June 1, will continue through the summer into next year’s winter heating season. More than 6,000 participants have enrolled in one or more of these programs since last fall.

Designed to advance the efficient use of energy to reduce overall demand, the programs include home weatherization, cash rebates and other incentives for residential customers to purchase efficient appliances, interactive online efficiency tools, incentives for commercial customers to install high-efficiency systems, and additional funding for low-income programs.

Some rebate information and application processes will change starting June 1. Detailed information and applications to participate in these new programs are available at National Grid’s energy efficiency web site at www.thinksmartthinkgreen.com. Information is also available by calling 1-866-716-8099.

National Grid has a 20-year track record of successful, award-winning efficiency programs in New England and these programs leverage that experience for the company’s upstate New York customers. Similar, cost-effective gas energy efficiency programs have been in effect in Massachusetts for more than 15 years. These programs helped save customers nearly 565 million therms of natural gas representing approximately $876 million in savings on their heating bills.

“These programs are a way National Grid can help its customers save money, improve their homes and businesses and ensure a cleaner environment,” said Susan M. Crossett, Vice President of Energy Solutions Services in Upstate New York.

The programs include:

    Residential High Efficiency Heating, Water Heating and Control:
  • Provides rebates to install high-efficiency, natural gas space heating and water heating equipment and controls.
  • Rebates from $300-$1,000 are available for customers, depending on the type of equipment and level of efficiency.
      • Residential ENERGY STAR® Products:
  • Customers are able to receive a $25 rebate for up to two (2) ENERGY STAR programmable thermostats installed by a contractor at the time of furnace or boiler replacement, not to exceed the price of the thermostats.
      • EmPower NY & Assisted Home Performance with ENERGY STAR® (Income-eligible):
  • National Grid is continuing its existing partnership with NYSERDA so that customers who heat with natural gas and meet specified low-income eligibility criteria can receive up to 100 percent of the cost for: Attic and wall insulation, air sealing measures, space heating replacements, water heating system repairs and replacements (available through NYSERDA).
      • Residential Internet Audit Program:
  • Provides customers’ access to their energy usage information, provides efficiency tips and encourages them to participate in energy efficiency programs.
      • Residential Electric High Efficiency Central Air Conditioning:
  • Offers residential electric customers financial rebates to offset the cost of more efficient central air conditioning equipment. Residential customers can 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 are also eligible to receive a rebate for purchasing and installing an ENERGY STAR thermostat. Incentives of $200 or more are also available to contractors for installing this high efficiency equipment if they are certified by the Business Performance Institute.
      • Commercial High Efficiency Heating, Water Heating & Controls:
  • Offers incentives to commercial services customers who install high-efficiency natural gas heating equipment. The amount of the rebate offsets the cost difference between standard heating equipment and high-efficiency equipment. Rebate amounts will vary by the size and type of equipment installed, up to $15,000.
      • Small Business Services:
  • Offers incentives for small businesses to retrofit existing lighting systems and various refrigerator models with more efficient equipment. The program identifies 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.

    • 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.