New incentives make HVAC upgrades more affordable
NEW YORK—Con Edison is enhancing its incentives for commercial and industrial customers who make heating, ventilation and air conditioning upgrades.
The Prescriptive Rebate Program offers cash incentives for the installation of standard energy-efficient equipment, including HVAC equipment such as furnaces, boilers and chillers. A second program offers incentives for custom upgrades of $0.16 per kilowatt hour saved plus an additional $600 for each kilowatt of energy reduction. Customers also benefit from early-replacement and extended-life offers, which encourage them to replace older equipment with more efficient models sooner rather than later.
The revamped program makes it easier for customers to consider upgrades and custom approaches that would otherwise be too expensive, said Con Edison Program Manager Caitlin Prager. “When commercial customers upgrade their HVAC equipment, it’s a major investment. These programs were created to get customers’ attention, as well as to spur the interest of market partners when the customer is ready to make that investment.”
The programs signal a change in the way Con Edison approaches HVAC upgrades. Historically, incentives were rewarded based on the difference between a baseline code for the equipment and the more efficient product. This did not always represent the true savings owners would earn by upgrading outdated HVAC, and it limited incentive payments.
“We’re responding to customer feedback,” said Prager. “They are taking equipment that’s way below code and looking for help to replace it with a more efficient product. We want our incentives to fully reward customers for being proactive and for the energy savings they’re achieving.
“Our goal is to create a compelling case for customers to upgrade inefficient equipment,” she added. “When they weigh the cost of running and maintaining old, inefficient equipment against the benefits of new, high-efficiency equipment—plus our incentives—we hope the energy-efficient choice comes out on top.”
By increasing its HVAC incentives and offerings, Con Edison is signaling its commitment to making energy efficiency both feasible and desirable.
“We all benefit from these investments,” Prager said. “Customers realize savings for themselves, and they contribute to a cleaner environment for our community. We all have a role to play in helping New York City and New York state meet their environmental goals.”
