UI/SCG Offer Businesses Energy Saving Incentives Amid COVID-19
To help Connecticut large and small businesses combat the challenges associated with COVID-19, more resources are being dedicated to support cost-saving energy efficiency upgrades and projects to help streamline operations. United Illuminating (UI), Southern Connecticut Gas (SCG) and Connecticut Natural Gas (CNG), subsidiaries of AVANGRID Inc., are offering virtual assessments and larger energy efficiency incentives to help customers navigate the current economic climate, including incentives that cover up to 75 percent of project costs.
UI, SCG and CNG have developed enhanced incentives for retrofit projects to support large Commercial and Industrial (C&I) businesses with rebates and incentives. Up to 75 percent of install measure costs for retrofit projects completed in 2020 can be covered under the current program offerings. In addition, there are now more than 40 available incentive measures for HVAC and food service equipment.
Commercial property owners, energy modeling firms and architectural firms can also obtain attractive incentives for new construction. Eligible projects are based on whole building outcomes, including those that are using high performance lighting (LED), sustainable office design, interior and exterior lighting and system controls to meet or exceed green building certification requirements.
“By providing these new and improved incentives, our hope is to help our customers get back on track with their energy efficiency goals for 2020,” said Elizabeth Murphy, supervisor at AVANGRID Inc. “These upgrades provide businesses with operating cost-savings during a critical time, supporting long-term sustainability and the viability of their business operations to meet new requirements or modifications.”
Micro-businesses, like local restaurants, small retail operations, doctor or lawyer offices, and private companies, can now take advantage of a virtual, no contact energy pre-assessment through the Small Business Energy Advantage (SBEA) program. The assessment allows business owners to address energy-saving improvements remotely with UI, SCG, CNG approved contractors, using mobile devices to share and identify areas where upgrades could improve energy use. After the assessment, a self-install kit of energy-saving measures will be mailed to the customer at no charge. A no-cost, follow-up site visit might be coordinated to identify any additional skilled or licensed labor needed, such as specialty equipment installation.
“Virtual assessments help micro-businesses, many of whom are feeling the negative impacts of the pandemic and continue to search for ways to save costs in daily operations,” said Amanda Gill, SBEA program manager. “It’s important that we continue to provide strong support for small businesses to reach and maintain financial and energy efficiency goals and the self-install options can help them realize savings right away.”
The SBEA program can help micro and small business companies with electric and gas cost-saving measures. Contractors and energy engineers will determine possible measures, including lighting systems or controls upgrades, sealing and weatherization, refrigeration controls and cooler upgrades, pipe insulation, HVAC system upgrades and controls, heating system controls, motor or drive controls, steam trap maintenance, compressed air systems, high-efficiency heating and water heating equipment, faucet aerators, trickle start shower heads or any custom energy efficiency measures.
For more information about incentives for Large and Small C&I energy efficiency projects, customers are encouraged to reach out to their UI, SCG or CNG program administrator. Sign up today at BusinessEnergyCT.com through our on-line form.
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About AVANGRID: AVANGRID, Inc. (NYSE: AGR) is a leading, sustainable energy company with approximately $33 billion in assets and operations in 24 U.S. states. AVANGRID has two primary lines of business: Avangrid Networks and Avangrid Renewables. Avangrid Networks owns eight electric and natural gas utilities, serving 3.2 million customers in New York and New England. Avangrid Renewables owns and operates 7.2 gigawatts of electricity capacity, primarily through wind power, with a presence in 22 states across the United States. AVANGRID employs approximately 6,500 people. AVANGRID supports the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals and was named among the World’s Most Ethical Companies in 2019 by the Ethisphere Institute. For more information, visit www.avangrid.com.
About UI: The United Illuminating Company (UI) is a subsidiary of AVANGRID, Inc. Established in 1899, UI operates approximately 3,500 miles of electric distribution lines and 139 miles of transmission lines. It serves approximately 335,000 customers in the greater New Haven and Bridgeport areas of Connecticut. UI received the Edison Electric Institute’s Emergency Recovery Award recognizing the company’s response to the May 2018 storms that impacted its service territory. For more information, visit www.uinet.com.
About SCG: The Southern Connecticut Gas Company (SCG) is a subsidiary of AVANGRID, Inc. Established in 1847, SCG operates approximately 2,500 miles of natural gas distribution pipelines, serving approximately 197,000 customers in the greater New Haven and Bridgeport areas of Connecticut. For more information, visit www.soconngas.com.
This article originally appeared on the Fairfield Patch
