Small Business & Non-Profit
There are a number of resources for small businesses, non-profits and multifamily building owners as well to help reduce your energy use and carbon emissions and save money.
Commercial Energy Efficiency
NYSERDA has several programs to help farms and commercial and industrial buildings of all sizes—as well as non-profits—reduce their energy use. There are both energy studies or audits, as well as incentives and financing to pay for improvements.
Energy Studies & Audits
Small Commercial & Non-Profit Energy Studies - NYSERDA’s Green Jobs Green New York Energy Study program provides a significant subsidy (over 90%) for an energy study of businesses or non-profits.
Contact one of our Community Energy Advisors for assistance. Larger buildings see the FlexTech program below.
Commercial & Industrial Facilities - Through NYSERDA’s FlexTech program, all commercial and industrial facilities that pay into the electric System Benefits Charge are eligible to receive assistance through an energy study of their building to help identify issues and opportunities to reduce energy costs.
NYSERDA will cover up to 50% of the cost of the study for eligible organizations, and 100% for NYS farms.
You can write to flextech@nyserda.ny.gov. (Farms go to the NYSERDA Agriculture Energy Audit Program.)
Incentives for Energy Efficiency Improvements
There are several incentives to help pay for the energy improvements:
Small businesses in rural areas and farms may qualify for a grant covering 50% of the cost of energy efficiency improvements through the USDA Rural Energy for America Program.
NYSEG has a number of rebates that help pay for energy efficiency measures.
The Inflation Reduction Act lowers the cost for businesses to invest in clean energy and energy efficiency.
There are several financing options for this work as well.
Renewable Heating
Small businesses and non-profits have several options for renewable heating, including heat pumps. These are green heating solutions that can leave some greenbacks in your pockets as well. Low-interest financing options are also available.
Heat Pumps
Air-source and ground-source (geothermal) heat pumps are increasingly being used in commercial buildings, providing heat in winter and cooling in summer, with very low operational costs.
Air source heat pumps take heat from the outside air (even when it is cold outside).
Ground-source heat pumps, also known as geothermal, remove heat from underground and are more efficient than air source heat pumps. Incentives are significantly increased for customers in the Town of Lansing who are affected by the natural gas moratorium.
Heat pumps can be carbon neutral if paired with solar panels, or if you purchase green energy through your energy supplier. Read more about heat pumps here.
Make sure you weatherize your building before deciding on a new heating system. This will help you reduce your heat load and help you determine the appropriate equipment to keep your home warm all winter long.
A federal tax credit is available for ground source heat pumps, and nonprofits can benefit using elective pay.
Interested?
Contact a local heat pump installer. They will be able to give you a quote on the system and help you access the rebates.