Small Business & Non-Profit
Below 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. 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.
You may also contact an energy adviser.
Small businesses may contact one of our Community Energy Advisors for assistance.
Non-Profits may contact one of the following staff:
Jennifer Kusznir - Chemung, Schuyler, and Tioga Counties - 607-272-2292 x197, jk2939@cornell.edu
Jerry Sheng - Broome, Chenango, Steuben, and Tompkins Counties - js3724@cornell.edu, (607) 272-2292 x 164
Kristina Zill - Delaware County - klz8@cornell.edu, (607) 353-9896
Energy Studies & Audits
Energy studies help business and non-profit managers learn about their buildings’ energy needs, and include recommendations for upgrades to reduce energy use and improve heating systems.
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.
Commercial & Industrial Facilities - Through NYSERDA’s FlexTech program, all commercial and industrial facilities (and multifamily and nonprofits) 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 & Heating
There are several incentives to help pay for the energy improvements:
NYSEG has a number of rebates that help pay for energy efficiency measures, as well as incentives to support electrification (e.g. heat pumps!)
The Inflation Reduction Act lowers the cost for businesses to invest in clean energy and energy efficiency.
Religious Buildings: The National Fund for Sacred Places provides technical and financial support for congregations undertaking significant capital projects at historic sacred places.
There are several financing options for this work as well.
A federal tax credit is available for ground source heat pumps, and nonprofits can benefit using elective pay.