If you have a leaky windows, old insulation, or dated refrigeration equipment, you might as well throw money out the window this summer. Energy costs are up, and you can't afford to waste money on inefficient equipment.
The Central BID has teamed up with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) to cut your energy usage this year. NYSERDA is a public benefit corporation that assists utility customers through a number of different programs, including the Energy Audit Program for small commercial properties, said Ed Smyth, office manager for RLW Analytics, the office charged with administering the audit program in Upstate New York.
The audit program is for commercial properties that pay $75,000 or less in annual electric bills. One of NYSERDA’s Energy Audit consultants will walk through the property, testing the building's heating and cooling systems, motors, refrigeration, and other energy consuming equipment to make sure everything is energy efficient. The auditor then makes a full report, compiles a list of recommendations, and meets with the business owner one-on-one to discuss the assessment. The report includes a breakdown of energy use, so owners can see how much each area consumes, and also includes a list of upgrades that would save them money. The auditors can recommend anything from weather proofing the building to replacing old refrigeration units, he said.
The program also directs customers to additional NYSERDA programs that could help offset the cost of the investment, he said. NYSERDA will refund the cost of the audit if the business owner installs some or all of the recommendations.
The benefits of the program are two-fold, said Mark DeChiro. First, owners can get recommendations on better equipment and payback estimates, and they also potentially get incentives to purchase this equipment. "It's a double-whammy," DeChiro said.
Right now, the Central BID is fully covering the small audit cost to participate in this NYSERDA program. The BID employed the program last year, and had their windows upgraded and had all their fluorescent lighting replaced.
Business owners are saving big. In the five years since implementing the program, NYSERDA has found that owners who participate are saving 8%-20% on energy bills, Smyth said.
NYSERDA also offers a number of other programs for businesses and residences.
The audit program is for commercial properties that pay $75,000 or less in annual electric bills. One of NYSERDA’s Energy Audit consultants will walk through the property, testing the building's heating and cooling systems, motors, refrigeration, and other energy consuming equipment to make sure everything is energy efficient. The auditor then makes a full report, compiles a list of recommendations, and meets with the business owner one-on-one to discuss the assessment. The report includes a breakdown of energy use, so owners can see how much each area consumes, and also includes a list of upgrades that would save them money. The auditors can recommend anything from weather proofing the building to replacing old refrigeration units, he said.
The program also directs customers to additional NYSERDA programs that could help offset the cost of the investment, he said. NYSERDA will refund the cost of the audit if the business owner installs some or all of the recommendations.
The benefits of the program are two-fold, said Mark DeChiro. First, owners can get recommendations on better equipment and payback estimates, and they also potentially get incentives to purchase this equipment. "It's a double-whammy," DeChiro said.
Right now, the Central BID is fully covering the small audit cost to participate in this NYSERDA program. The BID employed the program last year, and had their windows upgraded and had all their fluorescent lighting replaced.
Business owners are saving big. In the five years since implementing the program, NYSERDA has found that owners who participate are saving 8%-20% on energy bills, Smyth said.
NYSERDA also offers a number of other programs for businesses and residences.
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