CL&P's SBEA Program is a Big Win for Small Business
Efficiencies Help to Energize Small Businesses
Connecticut Light and Power's Small Business Energy Advantage (SBEA) Program provides cost-effective, energysaving products and services for small business customers, and – with support from the Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund – financial incentives that make these cost-saving upgrades possible.
Although energy efficient fixtures and equipment pay for themselves over time with the money saved on energy costs, the upfront costs of making the right upgrades can be prohibitive. That's where SBEA – and CL&P's support – has really made a difference.
"I made $9,000 worth of improvements to my business' lighting and refrigeration," said Robert Muniz, owner of Los Cubanitos bakery on Park Street in Hartford. "There were no up-front costs, and ultimately the upgrades will cost almost nothing – plus I'll be saving $250 per month on my energy bill."
Although this sounds too good to be true, it is a reality for Muniz and other small business owners across the state. Here's how the program works: the Energy Efficiency Fund's incentives offset a portion of SBEA's cost, and interest-free financing on the balance is available to qualified customers for up to 30 months. The financed amount appears as a line item on the customer's monthly electric bill, but when you factor in their immediate energy cost savings, the bills look about the same as they did prior to the upgrades. The balance is paid in full in less than three years, while the energy and cost savings go on and on.
"It's a great program. It provides incentives, and really doesn't cost anything in the long run," said another satisfied SBEA customer, Keith Gnazzo, of Gnazzo's grocery store in Plainville.
Gnazzo's upgrades included new energy efficient lighting throughout the store, with motion detectors to automatically turn lights on and off, new LED lighting in the freezers, and energy efficient fans in the store's refrigerators.
Gnazzo's electric bill is now nearly 30 percent lower than it was before the upgrades.
"It's great to know we're helping save some energy – for us and for the environment," said Gnazzo.
Energy efficiency is the easiest and most cost-effective way to reduce energy costs, enhance reliability and help preserve the environment. The SBEA program is just one way that CL&P is making it easier for customers to conserve and save.