2006

Low-Income EmPower New York^SM Program Extended Five Years; Energy Efficiency Measures May Save More Than Money

Syracuse, Mar 14-Officials from National Grid, the Public Service Commission, and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, visited a Camillus home today to highlight the benefits of a unique home energy-saving program for low-income utility customers. The program, EmPower New York , managed by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), has recently been extended for five years, at about $9 million per year. The program is important not only for its energy savings, but also for delivering health and safety benefits. Today's visit focused on a potentially life-threatening situation that was discovered and averted through EmPower New York services.

NYSERDA President and CEO, Peter R. Smith, explained that the homeowner, a single mother of six, was a participant in National Grid's Affordability Plan. National Grid referred the customer to EmPower New York for a comprehensive energy assessment. "During our Home Performance energy audit, the furnace was found to be emitting extremely high levels of carbon monoxide (CO), posing a severe risk to the living space," he explained.

EmPower New York staff worked with the Onondaga County Social Services that authorized an emergency furnace replacement through the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP). After the furnace was installed, EmPower New York contractors inspected the furnace and completed other money-saving home-performance measures on the home, including attic insulation, exchange of an old, inefficient refrigerator for a new ENERGY STAR® model, and conversion of the electric clothes dryer to natural gas.

"With these Home Performance-based improvements, this family has been able to save about $400 per year. And more important, they have lived healthy, safe, and more comfortable lives through the EmPower New York program. With funding for the next five years secure, we are working to ensure the program's future success," Smith said.

"In 2005, National Grid added $5 million to expand our customers' participation in NYSERDA's energy efficiency programs, that funding is being put to good use throughout our New York service territory," said William F. Edwards, president of National Grid's New York distribution company. "Customers who participate in our Affordability Plan are eligible to be referred to NYSERDA to determine if they qualify for EmPower New York or other programs."

William M. Flynn, Chairman of the New York Public Service Commission, that regulates utilities and the funding for this program, said that "EmPower New York is a unique opportunity for utilities to monitor their customers' needs and refer them to the program so they can manage their energy costs before situations become desperate," he noted. "Combined with additional Commission-approved programs that include discounted bills, budget counseling and arrears forgiveness for low-income customers, New York State is taking a comprehensive approach to helping those most in need address the challenges of rising energy prices," Flynn said.

NYSERDA launched EmPower New York in 2004, building on lessons learned from two earlier programs. EmPower New York focuses on electric reduction measures but also addresses shell and heating system needs when they offer the best means to reduce household energy costs. EmPower New York services are delivered by a network of weatherization agencies and private contractors, all of whom are certified by BPI. In addition to using a "whole house" approach while installing energy-saving measures, contractors address health and safety issues as the need arises. EmPower New York works closely with the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) to coordinate efforts and funding to low-income households. With it, NYSERDA is filling gaps and shortening waiting periods for the energy services needed to help the working poor lower their energy costs.

Energy education and materials are provided through mail and through in-home education sessions provided by the New York Energy Smart contractor network. Free and open to the public, statewide energy and money management workshops are also conducted by Cornell Cooperative Extension, designed to empower families to take actions that will reduce their energy costs.

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Work summary attached.

Residence: A single family, two story home, with a single adult and 6 children.

Referral: Owner is a participant in National Grid's Affordability Plan (Low Income Customer Assistance Program) referred to NYSERDA by National Grid:

Contractor: The Energy Doctors

Audit: An EmPower New York Home Performance assessment was performed, including:

Heating system replacement: During the inspection of the heating system the Energy Doctors found extremely high carbon monoxide (CO) readings at the damaged flue and in the chimney. This is a potentially life-threatening situation: any small amount of blockage in the chimney could have spilled CO into the home, with potentially catastrophic results. Warren Smith a certified energy auditor, from The Energy Doctors contacted National Grid, and stayed at the home until the utility service personnel arrived. National Grid red-tagged (shut down by emergency order) the heating system.

Warren then instructed the owner on how to contact local social services office to obtain help through the Heating Equipment Repair and Replacement Component (HERR) of the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP). HERR found a cracked heat exchanger and paid for the replacement of the furnace, and EmPower New York^SM assisted by paying for the replacement of a rotting flue. The Energy Doctors followed up after the furnace was replaced to test the systems and verify that the CO problem had been resolved.

EmPower New York^SM -funded energy efficiency measures: EmPower New York funded the following measures at no cost to the family:

The total cost of the NYSERDA-funded improvements was $2,922.

Estimated Savings: EmPower New York^SM estimated that this customer would save $400 a year. An analysis of fuel bills over the last 11 months indicates that the owner will save even more.