NORTH HAVEN

Energy representatives are reporting the success of the Small Business Energy Advantage (SBEA) program in North Haven after it has produced $373,000 in combined electric and gas incentives for 29 projects during the last two years.

These figures, reported to be greater than those found in New Haven, were revealed by Colleen Morrison, program manager with Avangrid, during a gathering at the North Haven-based business National Lumber on Oct. 1. National Lumber is one of the small businesses in North Haven which has seen the benefits of the SBEA program due to its cost-saving results.

The gathering featured representatives from the SBEA, United Illuminating (UI), and Artis Energy Solution; along with Sean Ryan, president of National Lumber; and First Selectman Mike Freda.

Ryan offered his gratitude to energy and program representatives for their recommended upgrades which saw improvements in utilities output and safety for workers, along with the ensuing cost-saving results of around $5,000 a year.

“We've had a really wonderful experience,” said Ryan. “I feel very comfortable endorsing this program for any business in North Haven.”

Freda pointed to National Lumber’s experience with Artis and the SBEA program as a good example of how groups like Artis and UI can critically support small businesses in North Haven, calling them the “backbone of our communities.”

“Anything we can do collaboratively in helping our businesses—the backbone of our communities—who have employees, they pay people wages, the people who have homes. Whether it be in North Haven or not, the vibrancy of these businesses is critically important to us,” said Freda.

National Lumber saw SBEA-recommended lighting incentives installed at four of its buildings at its location at 385 State Street, as explained to The Courier by Kim DeRosa, manager of business development at Artis. These incentives offered through the SBEA program for North Haven small businesses looking for energy upgrades can range from 70 to 100%, according to DeRosa.

There are various energy upgrades which a group like Artis will recommend to a small business following an assessment of the various energy-related systems of that business.

“The upgrades can include lighting upgrades, weatherization, insulation, thermostats, aerators controls, HVAC controls,” said DeRosa.

Even if a client is interested in upgrades, those upgrades do not have to be dramatic. In regards to an HVAC system, DeRosa specified that the result of an assessment may not “necessarily mean a replacement of your HVAC, but a simple variable speed drive and or economizer control can be added, which can streamline all the energy use and reduce energy usage and reduce your bill.”

Aside from lighting, DeRosa said that weatherization is a major element for the SBEA program at the moment, with places of worship being some of the biggest beneficiaries. Previously overlooked by energy companies, these energy users are now the biggest candidates for insulation assessment as a great cost-saving measure for them as nonprofits.

“Places of worship are getting the greatest incentives right now because [they] are nonprofits,” DeRosa said. “I think both utilities—Eversource and UI—have noticed that many churches have not been looked at and have not been approached by people like us.”

Ultimately, neither business nor nonprofit clients are obligated to upgrade following an assessment, but DeRosa said that “the pool of funds is available” through UI to help reduce fixed expenses.

“It's a great opportunity for customers,” Morrison said at the Oct. 1 gathering. “We're always looking for that chance to show them how they can save money on their electric utility bill.”

Ryan’s views are in line with Morrison based on his experience, as he directly informed The Courier.

“I think if there is ever an incentivized program that allows you to save money, it's our duty as business operators to take advantage of those,” he said. “[It] would, again, speak to how much it shows your employees that you're investing in the future of your business. I think that really resonated with a lot of our people.”

Freda said that a program like SBEA can be especially beneficial for North Haven-based small businesses during a time when the rise of energy costs is “one of the most controversial issues in the state of Connecticut.”

“As a former business CEO, I recognize how sometimes it's difficult to be in business, so to have programs that help the business community…it so it makes me feel good that through these other resources—Artis in particular and the UI—we can provide much-needed energy savings for businesses.”

For more information on the SBEA and its eligibility for businesses, visit energizect.com/energy-assessments/small-business.