Energy Efficiency & Renewables
"The cheapest and greenest energy is that which we don't consume"
Energy Saving Tips
- Lighting: Upgrade to LED lights bulbs. On average they use about 75-80% less energy than incandescent bulbs and can last up to 25 times longer. Also, make sure to turn off lights in rooms that are not occupied. Better yet - keep the lights off and use natural light whenever possible.
- Heating and Air Conditioning: Turn down the thermostat. Heating and air conditioning draw half the energy a home uses. In addition, move furniture and drapes away from heat sources and vents. Blocked air vents mean your HVAC system has to work harder and use more energy to circulate air. You should change out your heating system's air filter every 3 months, a dirty filter will slow down air flow and make the system work harder.
- Windows: Replace old windows. Windows lose more heat per square foot than any other surface in the home. When purchasing choose double or triple-pane windows
- Washing and Drying: 90% of the energy used to do laundry is just to heat water, so consider washing your clothes in cold water, and air-drying them instead. When dish-washing, turn off heated drying and air dry instead.
- Water Heater: Water heating can account for 14-25% of monthly energy costs. Consider reducing the maximum water temperature for your home water heater. Dropping the temperature from 140°F to 120°F can save approximately $61 annually. Additionally, make sure to insulate your hot water piping and tanks to reduce heat loss.
- Insulation and Air-Sealing: A well-insulated building will be more comfortable and also save money. Keep doors and windows closed while running your HVAC system to reduce air loss. In addition, make sure exterior walls, ceilings, attics, basements, wall cavities, crawlspaces, and heating/cooling ducts are adequately insulated. Also, close fireplace dampers when not in use to prevent warm air from escaping up the chimney.
- TVs, Computers, Cable Boxes, Printers: Many appliances continue to use power even when turned off. Unplug these devices, or put them on a power strip to cut power when not in use.
- Landscaping: Reduce home cooling/heating costs by placing a deciduous tree on the South/Southwest side of your house. During the hot summer months, the tree will block the intense summer sun. During the heating season, the leaves will fall and allow sunlight to pass through, naturally heating your home.
- In the Winter: open blinds to south-facing windows during the day to allow sunlight to natural heat your home. And don't forget to remove window air conditioners when the cooling season ends to reduce drafts.
- In the Summer: close blinds to south-facings windows during the day to decrease air conditioning cost.
- During the Holidays: always unplug your holiday lights when you go to bed or leave the house. And when you do purchase holiday lights - choose LEDs.
- Choose EnergyStar rated products and appliances whenever purchasing new.
- PSEG’s “66 Ways to Save Energy”
- National Grid's "Ways to Save Energy"
Programs and Resources
FREE Home Energy Audit - Long Island Green Homes
Receive a FREE home energy audit through Long Island Green Homes. An energy audit identifies how and where you home is wasting energy, and it is the first step to lowering you energy bills and making your home more comfortable year-round. You will receive a comprehensive report of your home’s energy use and learn where the biggest energy efficiency gains can be made. Call 800-567-2850 to schedule.
Energy Efficiency Rebates
Residential
Rebates on dryers, washing machines, refrigerators, dishwashers, A/C units, smart thermostats, LED lightbulbs, power strips, etc.
Save on natural gas heating systems, water heaters, smart thermostats, high-efficiency boilers, thermostatic radiator valves, etc.
Commercial
Rebates on CHP systems, fuel cells, geothermal, green building, HVAC, lighting, refrigeration, etc.
Rebates on engineering studies, natural gas heating systems, water savings products, water heaters, kitchen equipment, etc.
Revitalize Communities - PSEG Long Island
Commercial financial incentives are also available for businesses that Revitalize Communities. Examples include business that:
- Improve the economic vitality of a municipality;
- Move into a space that has been vacant for a year or more;
- as well as Growing Businesses.
Financial Assistance Programs
Various financial assistance programs are available for eligible households to help pay energy bills and/or receive free energy-efficiency upgrades:
National Grid: Help Making Payments
The Weatherization Assistance Program is a free program provided to low-income Long Islanders, especially the elderly and disabled, to make their homes more energy efficient. An energy audit is conducted by a building analyst, using a variety of tests and tools, to determine the most cost-effective means of reducing energy consumption in the dwelling.
EmPower New York provides no-cost energy efficiency solutions to income-eligible New Yorkers. Whether you own your home or rent, a participating contractor will be assigned to you to assess if your home would benefit from free energy upgrades.
Assisted Home Performance with ENERGY STAR provides financial support for income-eligible households to improve the energy efficiency of their home. Those who qualify can receive a discount covering 50% of the cost of eligible energy efficiency improvements up to $4,000 per project for single-family homes. Two to four-unit residential homes with income-eligible residents may qualify for a discount of up to $8,000.
Going Solar
Go renewable for your home or business! Adding solar will decrease your energy bill, create stability during periods of electric rate changes, and shrink your carbon footprint. Visit the NY-Sun website for more information on incentives, financing, and finding a contractor.
For questions about solar permitting, call the Building Department at (516) 431-1005 or visit room 304 of City Hall.
The 2019 Long Island Solar Report ranked Long Beach as the #1 most solar-friendly municipality on Long Island. The report showed that Long Beach had the quickest solar permit turnaround - 6.3 days. In addition Long Beach has made the process simple by adopting a Unified Solar Permit and does not charge for solar permits.
Green Power
If adopting solar panels isn’t for you, you can still “go green” by purchasing renewable energy for your home or business through PSEG Long Island’s Green Choice Program. Your decision to participate in green choice will help support renewable energy on Long Island.
Geothermal
A home geothermal system is a renewable, efficient, and economical way to heat and cool your home. They utilize the earth as a heat source in the winter and as a heat sink in the summer. They reduce energy costs by 60% or more, require little maintenance, and last longer than traditional furnaces. Learn more about geothermal and apply for rebates through PSEG’s website, Don't wait, because tax credits for geothermal systems will gradually step down after 12/31/19.