Small Business Energy Efficiency Program Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the NYSEG/RG&E Small Business Energy Efficiency Program?
Qualifying NYSEG and RG&E small business customers are eligible to receive a free energy assessment of their business that will identify the greatest opportunities for energy savings. Upon completion of the energy assessment, customers will receive a report detailing opportunities for energy efficiency improvements. The energy assessment will focus primarily on lighting improvements, specifically energy conservation measures with the greatest savings opportunities at the lowest cost.

The proposed lighting measures will qualify for subsidized installation – NYSEG or RG&E (whichever utility provides the customer’s electricity service) will cover 70% of the installation costs, with the customer responsible for the remaining 30%. Financing options may be available to qualified customers.

Participation in this program provides customers with economic benefits and environmental benefits for the local community.

Who qualifies for this program?
This program is open to small business customers with NYSEG or RG&E electricity service that have electricity demand of less than 100 kilowatts (kw) per month.

How do I determine whether I qualify or not?

Eligible RG&E customers include:

• All RG&E Service Class 2 general service-small use customers; 
• RG&E Service Class 7 general service customers (some customers in this class have electricity demand of more than 100 kw/month and will not qualify);
• RG&E Service Class 9 general service time-of-use customers (some customers in this class have electricity demand of more than 100 kw/month and will not qualify);

If you are unsure of your service rate, please look above the table on page three of your bill. The service class is indicated in the electricity service line and can be found by looking for a number preceding the letters “SC.” For example, if your bill reads “Electricity Service – PSC19 SC2 – Commercial” you are in Service Class 2. (If you are in Service Class 7 you will also need to check that your electricity demand does not exceed 100 kw per month.)

Customers can also check their eligibility by entering their account number or business name and address into our RG&E program eligibility database or by speaking with a program representative at the NYSEG/ RG&E Energy Efficiency Hot Line at 1.800.995.9525 or by calling EnerPath, the implementation contractor at 1.877.359.9814.

How do I participate?
Interested businesses can enroll in the program at nyseg.com or rge.com or by contacting a program representative at 1.877.359.9814. Once enrolled to participate, an energy service representative will contact you within a few weeks to schedule your free energy assessment.

Who will do the assessment and installation?
The Small Business Energy Efficiency Program is being administered by EnerPath Services Inc., an implementation contractor hired by NYSEG and RG&E. EnerPath’s Energy Service Representatives (ESRs) have badges identifying them as NYSEG and RG&E contractors.

What will the installation entail?
The installation of lighting upgrades typically takes less than one day, but may vary based on the size of the location and the number of fixtures being upgraded. Installers will contact each customer to schedule a convenient time for installation. It is important that customers allow the installers adequate access to all areas of the site or they will not be able to complete their work. While our installers will take the greatest care to ensure that customers are not inconvenienced by the installation, some areas may be temporarily unavailable during the time of installation. Communication with the installation crew is paramount to ensuring minimal disruptions.

Can I keep my old lamps and ballasts?
No. The lamps that the installers will remove from your site will no longer be compatible with your new equipment and must be removed. In addition, since the program’s intent is to save electricity and reduce costs, removal of inefficient equipment from future use is necessary to the program’s success.

What will I need to do to maintain my new lighting technology?
Energy efficient T8 linear fluorescent lamps can be found at any hardware store and cost approximately the same as other linear fluorescent lamps. Incandescent bulbs will be replaced with compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), which can also be found at any local hardware store. Although CFLs cost more than incandescent bulbs, they have a significantly longer life and the savings over the life of each lamp justify the increased cost of replacement.

What happens if a light goes out?
EnerPath Services, Inc. warranties all installations to be free from workmanship errors for one year after the measures have been installed. If a failure occurs for any reason during this period, we will come back to your site and service the malfunctioning fixtures at no cost. If a malfunction occurs after one year has elapsed, all products installed have manufacturer warranties and this information will be provided to customers upon completion of the installation.

How do I pay for my portion of the energy efficiency measures?
Customers are responsible for a 30% co-payment of all installed measures. The energy services representative who performs your free energy assessment will charge your credit card upon acceptance of the work to be performed. At this time, a 50% deposit of the 30%
co-pay amount will be charged to the card and the remaining portion will be charged upon completion of the installation and customer acceptance. Financing options are also available to qualified customers.