Local Contractors Benefit from NJNG’s Energy-Efficient Incentives

Attractive incentives for energy-efficient upgrades have helped drive activity at local heating, venting and air conditioning businesses in 2010. Through The SAVEGREEN Project™ from New Jersey Natural Gas (NJNG), as well as other state and federal incentives, customers are saving thousands on the purchase of new heating and cooling systems, producing strong sales for local contractors.

SAVEGREEN was launched by NJNG in September 2009 in support of NJNG’s ongoing effort to provide customers with the knowledge needed and money-saving incentives desired to make the right energy choices for their families, homes, businesses and communities. The program provides an enhanced rebate of $900 for customers who install heating equipment that meets the qualifications for WARMAdvantage, a program of New Jersey’s Clean Energy Program. In addition to the installation, to qualify for the rebate customers need to conduct a free home energy audit provided by NJNG and valued at $300. The home energy audit can identify additional energy-saving opportunities in their homes. While there is no obligation to make further improvements, additional incentives are available for those who do.

“The $900 rebate drove our business in the fall,” said Mike Bondurant, owner of Air Experts in Belmar. “When coupled with the federal tax incentive of $1,500, we are seeing an increase in full system replacements this summer, as opposed to just the installation of a new air conditioner.”

As a result, sales at Air Experts have doubled over the same period last year, and Bondurant has hired an additional salesperson, as well as three new installers.

At Browns Heating and Cooling in Little Silver, furnace sales are up 30 percent over the same period last year and 80 percent of sales include a furnace, according to co-owner and vice president of sales Ray Dietrich. The company has also added two additional installers.

“We’ve had our best June in five years and there is no doubt the rebate has helped,” said Dietrich. “Our average customer is receiving $3,900 in rebates.

The number of contractors participating in the SAVEGREEN Project has tripled since January, rising from 144 local businesses to 464 in August. As of the beginning of this month, nearly 3,000 rebates totaling approximately $2.7 million have been paid to customers since September 2009. The top 10 participating contractors account for 38 percent of the installations associated with these rebates.

Another local contractor benefitting from increased business is Arctic Air in Old Bridge. The company is doing very well in the down economy with sales 15 percent ahead of last year’s, according to owner Howard Albert.

“We can give the customers what they need to help install energy-efficient equipment, which is better for them in the long run,” said Albert. “The $900 is the extra incentive that people need to make the purchase decision.”

For more information about SAVEGREEN, customers can visit www.savegreenproject.com or call 1-877-455-NJNG. The program is set to expire in late September 2010; however, NJNG has filed with the Board of Public Utilities for an extension and expansion of the program.

New Jersey Natural Gas is the principal subsidiary of New Jersey Resources, a Fortune 1000 company, that provides reliable energy and natural gas services including transportation, distribution and asset management in states from the Gulf Coast to the New England regions, including the Mid-Continent region, the West Coast and Canada, while investing in and maintaining an extensive infrastructure to support future growth. With over $2.5 billion in annual revenues, NJR safely and reliably operates and maintains 6,700 miles of natural gas transportation and distribution infrastructure to serve nearly half a million customers; develops and manages a diverse portfolio of more than 777,000 dth/d of transportation capacity and 52 Bcf of storage capacity; and provides appliance installation, repair and contract service to approximately 150,000 homes and businesses. Additionally, NJR holds investments in midstream assets through equity partnerships including Steckman Ridge and Iroquois. Through Conserve to Preserve®, NJR is helping customers save energy and money by promoting conservation and encouraging efficiency. For more information about NJR, visit www.njliving.com.

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