Energy incentives target Midtown West areas.

The Big Apple's real estate community--particularly in Midtown West--now has an unusual opportunity to demonstrate energy leadership while saving substantial amounts of money.

On summer afternoons, when both the temperature and the price of electricity are rising, it becomes crucial for New York City to reduce energy loads. Office buildings represent the largest drain on city energy supplies, and office property managers are annually urged to reduce electricity demand in these buildings.

Now, thanks to a new, demand-side management (DSM) initiative, New York City property owners in selected areas can tap into incentives that promote load reduction.

One district targeted for these incentives is Manhattan's West Side. The designated area ("the Electric Load Reduction Zone") is situated west of Broadway between 31st and 58th Streets, adjoined by a slightly irregular outcropping of additional territory between 40th Street and 52nd Street extending eastward to Fifth and Sixth Avenue.

Selected because this designated area's distribution capacity is insufficient to meet its future projected electric demand, properties in this area can receive incentives from ConEdison Solutions, a subsidiary of ConEdison Inc.

ConEdison Solutions is a leading provider of cost-effective energy solutions for businesses in New York City and throughout the Northeast.

Being situated in the Electric Load Reduction Zone, or "the zone," qualifies certain facilities for cash incentives for projects that reduce electric load.

These targeted incentives can be significantly higher than the standard New York State Energy Research & Development Authority (NYSERDA) incentives.

The ConEdison Solutions DSM program provides project installation services that include incentives that make payback periods unusually attractive. Incentive levels vary from project to project. The incentive can fund a major portion of the project cost and improve energy efficiency resulting in reduced operating costs.

Furthermore, the improvements made through such energy investments can increase a building's long-term value.

Qualifying projects include lighting retrofits, chiller replacements, replacement of older motors with newer energy-efficient models and distributed generation.

Note, however, that electric peak load reductions achieved through control strategies or improved operations and maintenance do not qualify. Only projects which will achieve permanent load reduction are eligible.

With its demonstrated knowledge base of New York City codes and practices, ConEdison Solutions is well qualified to work with local businesses to reduce energy demand.

In the areas of energy conservation, building system optimization, project development, or project management, the ConEdison Solutions staff has the expertise to maximize gains for local businesses.

Reducing demand for electricity on hot summer days also helps improve New York's air quality and reduce emissions of greenhouse gasses. Tenants living or working in buildings with improved enegy infrastructures may also benefit from quieter and more efficient equipment.

For qualified facilities, ConEdison Solutions will survey eligible buildings at no cost. The company's energy specialists will identify specific projects that may reduce electric load during summer weekdays from noon to 6 p.m. and qualify for incentive payments.

After collecting energy bills and operational data, and conducting onsite inspections, ConEdison Solutions will develop an initial analysis that projects the cost-effectiveness of the proposed projects.

In the next phase, ConEdison Solution's energy experts will conduct a more detailed technical planning and financial analysis to make an accurate assessment of costs, potential savings, and total incentives.

The process requires a minimal time commitment on the part of building management. If building management elects to proceed with the qualifying project, there is no cost for this detailed analysis.

Incentive funds for these targeted Midtown West incentives are limited and are available on a "first come first served" basis.

For more information, property managers and owners are thus urged to act swiftly and contact Con Edison Solutions at 800-285-1004.