By Donald Gilpin

Aiming to help businesses manage their energy use, reduce carbon emissions, and take advantage of PSE&G’s programs and incentives, the Municipality of Princeton has launched its energy efficiency outreach campaign.

As part of Princeton’s participation in the Sustainable Jersey-PSE&G Energy Efficiency Partnership Program, local businesses are encouraged to upgrade to energy-efficient equipment and reduce their energy costs.

Bank of Princeton President and CEO Edward Dietzler noted that his bank had taken advantage of the PSE&G program. “I reached out to PSE&G, thinking they’d be able to demonstrate to us opportunities to save, make things more efficient, and upgrade the system,” he said.

PSE&G provided an assessment audit report for the bank, but there was no obligation to follow through or make any changes. “We thought it would be a big opportunity for us to take a step forward and replace things and get to the next level,” Dietzler said in a Sustainable Jersey-PSE&G video. “With the programs that they had in place, it allowed us to do that.”

He continued, “In the long run all these things start to add up. Sustainablilty is important to everyone and it’s just going to take time, but I think we’re all moving in the right direction.”

Isaac Kremer, executive director of Experience Princeton, explained that for businesses that choose to participate a PSE&G-approved adviser will come and look at heating, air conditioning, lighting, and other equipment.

“And then they’ll come up with really common sense ways to save you money and improve your bottom line,” he said. “With the no-cost assessment and their support to help make improvements, it’s just another way we’re helping your business achieve its sustainability goals while also making it more profitable.”

Kremer pointed out that businesses that complete the audit are eligible for rebates and incentives to pay for upgrades.

The PSE&G adviser will also provide information on cost savings from these improvements, available incentives and programs, and a list of approved contractors to work with. But the video reiterates that decisions on moving forward are entirely up to the business owner.

“You can work with your contractor to choose the scope of work that best fits the needs of your business,” the video states. “By taking action you can lower your utility bills and upgrade the efficiency of your business while helping the environment.”

Councilwoman Michelle Pirone Lambros pointed out, “By taking advantage of the free, no-obligation energy assessment, businesses have the opportunity to increase their energy efficiency and potential cost savings from the incentives being offered for upgrades and reduced operating costs.”

In September 2020, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities approved PSE&G’s Clean Energy Future Energy Efficiency Program, enabling PSE&G to commit $1 billion toward energy efficiency over three years, including 10 programs to help residential and commercial customers reduce their energy use with energy-efficient equipment, technologies, and strategies, according to a Municipality of Princeton press release.

Some of the equipment upgrades that business owners can expect to receive from the Direct Install Program include lighting retrofits, heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC) systems, commercial refrigeration equipment, and motors.

Earlier this month the Municipality announced the start of a similar energy efficiency program to help homeowners and renters reduce carbon emissions, make their homes more comfortable, and reduce their energy bills.

Participation in PSE&G’s Energy Efficiency Programs “makes it easy and affordable to upgrade to energy-efficient equipment or add insulation,” a municipal press release stated. “These upgrades will help to make our homes healthier and more comfortable while also reducing energy bills.”

The residential campaign website is at EnergyOutreachNJ.com/Princeton.

These energy efficiency outreach campaigns are part of the municipality’s progress towards Princeton’s Climate Action Plan’s Objective 1, which is reduction of carbon emissions and helping the community to become more climate-resilient.

Business owners can visit EnergyOutreachNJ.com/PrincetonSave. Business or property owners can schedule a free consultation by calling PSE&G at (844) 300-7734 or visiting bizsave.pseg.com/Direct-Install.