Business & Finance
Tue, June 1, 2010Mon, May 31, 2010Fri, May 28, 2010Thu, May 27, 2010Wed, May 26, 2010Tue, May 25, 2010Mon, May 24, 2010Sun, May 23, 2010Fri, May 21, 2010Con Edison Offers Customers Rebates, Incentives to Use Less Energy This Summer
//business-finance.news-articles.net/content/201 .. s-incentives-to-use-less-energy-this-summer.html
Published in Business and Finance on Wednesday, May 26th 2010 at 8:10 GMT by Market Wire🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwire - May 26, 2010) - Con Edison today urged customers to take steps to reduce energy usage this summer with rebates and other incentives now available for energy-efficient appliances and cooling systems in their homes and businesses. The company also said it has invested $1.2 billion in upgrades to its electric delivery system to maintain reliable service during the sweltering days ahead ([ www.coned.com/summer ]).
"We want people to have the lighting and cooling they need to live comfortably this summer, while using less electricity to get both," said Kevin Burke, chairman and CEO of Con Edison. "Investing in our energy infrastructure is still vital, but investing in energy efficiency programs to help customers cut their energy use is also important for system reliability, sustainability, and the environment."
Con Edison plans to lower electric demand by 500 megawatts (MW) by 2015 as part of the city's and state's energy-reduction goals. Five hundred megawatts can power up to a half-million homes. Earlier this year, Con Edison launched $223 million in new energy-savings programs to help customers reduce their energy usage, and to help cut their monthly bills. More than 4,600 homes and small businesses have enrolled to date.
Con Edison is also offering a $30 rebate to customers who purchase Energy Star room air conditioners. Watch Con Edison Energy Efficiency Manager Jessica DiDonato talk about the benefits of Energy Star air conditioners at [ www.coned.com/videos ]. Applications for the $30 rebate can be downloaded at [ www.coned.com/roomacrebates ].
Energy-Savings Programs
Customers can enroll in a variety of energy-savings programs:
For Homeowners (one- to four-familyhomes)
- Rebates from $200 to $600 for installing eligible energy-efficient heating and air-conditioning equipment.
- Free programmable thermostats for central air-conditioning systems.
- Rebates for new Energy Star window air conditioners.
For Apartments, Condos, or Co-ops (5 to 50 units)
- Free surveys to evaluate building common areas and individual units for lighting, cooling- and heating-efficiency improvements, and incentives for these improvements.
- Incentives for new Energy Star refrigerators and air conditioners, and free recycling of old, inefficient refrigerators and air conditioners.
For Small Businesses
- Free energy surveys
- Free upgrades such as CFLs and water-heater thermostats
- Big incentives up to 70 percent for major lighting, heating, and cooling upgrades
- Free programmable thermostats for central air-conditioning systems ($300 value)
For Large Commercial and Industrial Customers
- Partial funding for energy study
- Rebates and performance-based incentives for high-efficiency equipment
Additional energy-savings programs will be launched in the coming months. To learn more, go to [ www.conEd.com/energyefficiency ] or call 1-877-870-6118. More helpful energy-savings tips and videos are available at [ www.conEd.com/thepowerofgreen ]; Facebook at Power of Green ([ www.facebook.com/powerofgreen ]); or the company's Power of Green iPhone app.
Infrastructure Investments & Demand Forecast
Con Edison's electric distribution system improvements this year include $814 million for cables, transformers, and network protectors; $155 million on transmission upgrades; and $231 million on new substation installations and related equipment.
The electric peak demand forecast for this summer is 13,500 MW in the Con Edison service area, with a projected peak of 11,725 MW for New York City and 1,775 MW for Westchester County, and includes the impact of permanent demand reduction programs. The record peak -- 13,141 megawatts -- was set at 5 p.m. on Aug. 2, 2006.
The economic downturn caused the first decline in peak demand in 30 years in 2009, but economic recovery and a projected additional 850,000 room air conditioners over the next five years are expected to contribute to a rebound in demand growth in future years. That growth, however, is expected to occur at a slower pace than in the past primarily due to the impact of permanent demand reduction programs. Newer products and appliances with Energy Star ratings are recommended for increased energy efficiency.
Customer Service on Web Expanded
Con Edison has expanded customer service on the Web at [ www.conEd.com/customercentral ]. Using a smartphone, PDA or computer, you can report power problems and manage your account online, including viewing billing and payment history, updating account information, paying bills, and obtaining information about special services. You can also call us at 1-800-75CONED.
Power problems include no lights, partial lights, and dim or flickering lights. When reporting an outage, customers should have their Con Edison account number available, if possible, and report whether their neighbors also have lost power.
Con Edison is a subsidiary of Consolidated Edison, Inc. (
