Energy Savings: Rebates for ‘Smart’ People
As part of its efforts to reduce energy consumption during peak electricity demand, the Town of East Hampton has installed energy-saving LED (light-emitting diode) fixtures and “smart” thermostats at town buildings. They have been installed at no cost to the town, under the South Fork Peak Savers incentive program launched last fall.
To date, more than 400 light fixtures and bulbs have been replaced at the town offices at 300 Pantigo Place and the E.M.S. technical services building. Replacing fluorescent and incandescent lighting with LED products saves 50 to 90 percent of lighting costs and energy consumption. The upgrades are expected to save around 40,000 kilowatt-hours per year.
East Hampton residential and business owners are eligible for similar free rebate offers, including smart thermostats for central air-conditioning systems, energy audits, lighting upgrades for commercial customers, and rebates of up to $950 for energy-efficient swimming pool pumps.
According to Applied Energy Group, the energy industry consultancy that runs the South Fork Peak Savers incentive, more than 1,500 residential and commercial smart thermostats are enrolled in the program, with customer savings approaching $1 million per year. The energy savings are equivalent to taking 800 cars off the road for one year, precluding the release of 4,000 tons of carbon dioxide.
“I’m pleased that we upgraded the first two of our facilities with state-of-the-art energy-efficiency lighting and thermostats, which will reduce energy consumption while saving money on utility bills,” Supervisor Peter Van Scoyoc said in a statement issued Monday. “I encourage every homeowner and every business owner to take advantage of the free and heavily rebated energy-saving programs available via the Energize East Hampton initiative.”
“Whether you are replacing hundreds of light fixtures in a town facility or a single thermostat in your home or office, it just makes sense to save energy,” Councilwoman Sylvia Overby, who is the liaison to the town’s energy sustainability committee, said in the same release. “It not only saves money, but it also reduces the need for more fossil-fueled power plants and costly transmission lines.”
Bruce Humenik, A.E.G.’s executive vice president, said in the same statement that “it has been a pleasure working with the Town of East Hampton. We applaud East Hampton for its ambitious sustainability goals and look forward to our continued partnership.”
Residential and business owners can learn more and sign up for free and rebated energy saving and solar programs through Energize East Hampton’s website, energizeeh.org. Partners in the Energize East Hampton initiative include the town, Long Island Green Homes, Renewable Energy Long Island, and South Fork Peak Savers. Additional information is available at southforkpeaksavers.com or by calling 833-346-2181.