SYRACUSE, N.Y. — National Grid has unveiled two new electric energy efficiency programs in its Upstate New York service area to help customers save energy, save money, and benefit the environment. With the objective of advancing the most efficient use of energy 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 make lighting upgrades and take walk-in cooler measures to save energy. 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; 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 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.

“Energy efficiency programs are short-term investments for long-term savings,” said Tim Stout, National Grid’s vice president of energy efficiency. “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.”

Publication date: 05/18/2009