REFRIGERATOR RECYCLING

What is the Appliance Recycling Program?
The Appliance Recycling Program is a residential energy efficiency program to reduce energy use by removing less efficient refrigerators and freezers from residences. The program includes scheduling and free appliance pick-up at the customer's home, transportation of the collected units to a recycling facility, and recovery and recycling of appliance materials. This means that your unit will be recycled responsibly.

Is Central Hudson offering an incentive as part of this program?
Yes. Customers will receive free removal and recycling of their appliance, as well as an incentive of $50 per appliance for participation, with a limit of two units recycled per year per account.

Who can participate?
All Central Hudson residential electric customers are eligible. Customers must own the appliance and may only recycle two units per year per account.

What appliances qualify?
Refrigerators and freezers. Appliances must be between 10-30 cubic feet, readily accessible for removal, plugged-in, demonstrated to be cooling and empty at the time of collection. The appliances must be located at the customer's residence at the time of pickup.

What happens to the refrigerator and/or freezer once collected?
The units are sent to a qualified recycling facility where 95% of the material is recycled, and hazardous waste is disposed of in an environmentally safe manner.

How can I schedule my appliance for pickup?
Call 866-706-3995 or simply click here to schedule an appointment online.

How long will it take to receive my check?
Approximately four weeks.

Will I be able to drop off my appliance at the designated recycling center?
No, the designated recycling center will not be open to customers.

I am interested in purchasing a new ENERGY STAR appliance when I get rid of my old one. Is Central Hudson offering rebates towards the purchase of new ENERGY STAR appliances?
Currently Central Hudson is not offering an additional rebate towards the purchase of a new ENERGY STAR refrigerator or freezer.

Do I have to be present at the time of pick-up?
Customers are responsible for having an authorized adult, age 18 or older, present at the time of the scheduled pick-up. The customer, or customer's representative, must sign appropriate company forms to release ownership of the appliances for removal and recycling.

How will I know if my appliance qualifies for the program?
Appliances must be between 10-30 cubic feet, readily accessible for removal, plugged-in,
demonstrated to be cooling and empty at the time of collection. The appliance(s) must be located at the customer's residence at the time of pick-up. Customers scheduling on-line will have to answer a series of questions about the appliance(s) before the process can be completed. Customers who call the customer service center will be asked a series of questions about their appliance(s) by an ARCA customer representative. These representatives will assist the customer in determining whether or not their appliance(s) qualify for the program before the scheduling process is finalized.

When will this program end?
When the incentive pool has been depleted. Customers will be handled on a first-come, first-served basis.

Who is Appliance Recycling Centers of America (ARCA)?
Appliance Recycling Centers of America is Central Hudson's vendor partner for this program. ARCA is one of the nation's largest recyclers of major household appliances for the energy conservation programs of electric utilities, and currently provides services for 150 utility programs in the U.S. and Canada. ARCA representatives schedule pick-ups and recycling units for this program.

How are collection dates and times established?
When calling or scheduling online, customers will be able to choose from several pickup dates specific to their location. One to two days prior to scheduled collection date, a representative will contact customers to provide them with a two to four hour window for collection time. On the customer's scheduled collection date, collectors will contact customers while in route to confirm appointment times.

What should I do to prepare for my pickup appointment?
Make sure your appliance is empty, plugged in and cooling. Also, make sure the pickup crew has clear access to enter the home and remove the appliance. This may mean moving any furniture or valuables to allow plenty of room for the crew to maneuver the appliance. Also, if any doors need to be removed from their hinges for the appliance to fit through the doorway, we ask that customers have these areas cleared prior to the crew's arrival. Our customer service center can answer specific questions regarding accessibility.

Who should I contact if I have more questions about the Appliance Recycling Program?
Call 866-706-3995.

COMMERCIAL LIGHTING

How much money can I save?
Depending on your facility’s operating hours, equipment and energy costs, you could save 25% or more on your energy bill, according to Energy Star estimates.

What is my payback period?
Most of our customers have seen payback periods of 12 to 20 months.  We can estimate your payback in clear terms beforehand.

How does Central Hudson cover 70% of the cost?  Is it a rebate?
No, it is no longer a rebate.  We now pay 70% of the installed lighting cost directly to Alliance Energy Solutions, our installer. The remaining 30% can be financed through Central Hudson at a rate of 0%, so you have no money out of pocket.

How does the 0% financing work?
After we determine your payback period, Central Hudson will calculate your monthly payment. Starting one month after installation, you will receive a separate monthly bill from Central Hudson until the loan is repaid.  You may pay back the loan in 12 or 24 months.

Exactly what kind of lighting does this program cover?
Central Hudson will upgrade nearly any permanent lighting fixture in your facility. This includes fluorescent systems, high-pressure sodium and metal halide fixtures, exit signs, occupancy sensors, reflectors and other optical improvements. For each facility, Central Hudson will determine a customized and comprehensive lighting solution to optimize energy savings.

Does it matter how old my lighting fixtures are?
No. Even new lights may have significant opportunities for energy savings. Central Hudson’s lighting experts will assess each facility and determine the amount of energy that can be saved by upgrading to the most energy-efficient option.

I have several buildings with different types of lighting. Do I have to replace everything?
No. You can choose the lighting systems that are replaced. But remember that the more lights we replace, the better opportunity there is for savings.

Is this program just for replacing lamps?
No. Central Hudson will replace fixtures, ballasts, and other permanent lighting equipment. A full redesign of lighting systems may be the best opportunity for energy savings.

What is the deadline to take advantage of this program?
This limited-time offer will be available only until the funding has been distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis.

What opportunities exist for municipal and government owned buildings?
Central Hudson pays 70% of the total installed lighting costs.  Municipalities and governmental agencies can cover the remaining 30% of the costs by assigning their Energy Policy Act (EPACT) tax credits approved by Congress in 2005 to our lighting partner. This means that municipalities can upgrade their lighting at no cost. 

Will energy-efficient lights have the same quality as my old lights?
Yes. In most cases, new energy-efficient systems will significantly improve light output and quality while saving energy.

Doesn’t energy-efficient lighting mean lower quality lighting?
No.  New energy-efficient lighting gives a better quality of light with fewer lamps.  Your facility will look brighter and better.

Aren’t lighting installations disruptive and time consuming?
No. In most cases, it’s just a matter of replacing ballasts and bulbs.  We make the process easy, and you will see lower electric bills right from the beginning.

Do I have to use your lighting partner?
Yes.  In order to take advantage of this Central Hudson program, you must use Alliance Energy Solutions.  We have an excellent track record with this company, which has become our single dedicated partner for both energy audits and installations.

What if I purchase my electricity from an energy supply company (ESCO)?
You are still eligible because you are a Central Hudson customer.

Isn’t Central Hudson in the energy-selling business, not the energy-saving business?
Central Hudson is in the energy-delivery business, and we want to deliver your energy safely and reliably at the best price. Delivering less energy helps us better manage costs. Also, New York State’s initiative to reduce the state’s energy consumption 15% by 2015 has made it more important for us to save energy. The New York State Public Service Commission has also directed all utilities to promote and fund energy efficiency programs.

Do you offer incentives for replacing outdoor lighting?
Not at this time.

I want to use this program for an all-new installation at my facility. Can I use the program to install new energy-efficient lights?
No. This program is for replacing existing lighting equipment and systems in order to make them more energy efficient.

Are LED lighting upgrades eligible? 
Some specific LED hard-wired fixtures are eligible for incentives under the program.  LED screw-in fixtures and screw-in compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs are not eligible for incentives. Contact Central Hudson’s Energy Efficiency team at (845) 486-5221 (or by e-mail at savemoney@cenhud.com) if you have questions about specific lamps or lighting equipment.

CENTRAL AIR CONDITIONING

How can I get a rebate for a new central air conditioning system or central air-source heat pump?

• Contact a SavingsCentral Trade Ally listed here to install your new energy efficient equipment
• Get a rebate form from the Trade Ally or download one here
• After the new system is installed, fill out the front of the rebate form and have your Trade Ally fill out the back (accurately and completely) and mail it to the address on the form
• Allow four weeks to receive your rebate check in the mail.

Can anyone install the new equipment?
No. It must be installed by a SavingsCentral Trade Ally. A list of the Trade Allies with phone numbers is available here.

What is the ARI reference number?
The ARI reference number, also known as the AHRI reference number, is important and must be included on the rebate form because it proves that equipment meets the energy efficiency standards of SavingsCentral programs. The Air-Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) rates the efficiency of appliances. The ARI certified reference number is the first number listed on the certificate of products rating. This is the link to the AHRI web site.

Can I get a rebate without listing the ARI reference number on the rebate form?
No. The ARI reference number is especially important for split air conditioning and heat pump systems because there are many combinations possible when installing the condensing unit (installed outside the house) and the evaporator (installed inside the ductwork). For a system to work up to its energy efficiency specifications, the two units must be matched properly.

If the energy efficiency ratings of an appliance meet the requirements for the federal tax credit for energy efficiency, can I assume it meets requirements of the SavingsCentral program?
No. An appliance may qualify for one program but not the other. The energy efficiency ratings, including the ARI reference number, must be documented in order to receive a SavingsCentral rebate.

What is an ECM?
ECM stands for electronically commutated motor, which is a high-efficiency electric motor that uses much less power than a typical electric motor. It can be used to power a fan in a whole-house heating or cooling system.

If my energy-efficient air conditioner contains an electronically commutated motor (ECM), can I get a rebate for both the air conditioning system and the ECM?
No, but you can get the extra ECM rebate if it is installed with an air-source heat pump.

REBATES AND TAX CREDITS

Who should fill out the rebate form if I have new equipment installed at my home or business?
The customer should fill out the front of the form and the Trade Ally should fill out all the technical information requested on the back of the form.

How long will it take to get a check after I submit my rebate form?
Four to six weeks. It will definitely take longer if information is missing from the rebate form. Please make sure your Trade Ally fills in all the required technical information.

Can I receive SavingsCentral rebates and still apply for other rebates or government tax credits
Yes, you can receive a rebate from your energy company, participate in the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) Home Performance with Energy Star program, and receive federal tax credits.  However, you cannot received dual rebates for the same piece of equipment or measure from Central Hudson and NYSERDA. You can receive incentives on different qualified equipment or measures from local and state programs and you can receive a federal tax credit on many energy efficiency measures installed.  You might also contact your contractor or the equipment manufacturer about coupons or rebates on specific energy efficiency equipment.

How long will these rebates from Central Hudson last?
Until program funds are depleted. Rebates will be handled on a first-come, first-served basis.

OVERALL PROGRAM

I purchase my residential energy supply from a supplier other than my utility company. Can I still participate in SavingsCentral?
Yes. All energy delivery customers in New York are eligible to participate in utility rebate programs as long as they have an active account.

Do you have a program where someone does an energy survey at my house?
We do not offer an energy survey for homes. You do have options, however. You can use a BPI-certified SavingsCentral Trade Ally to perform duct and air sealing at your home and then apply for a rebate. The rebate is for up to $75 per hour for up to four hours of blower door testing and air sealing, and/or duct blasting and duct sealing. If you would like a complete energy audit at your home, you may want to participate in the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) Home Performance with Energy Star program. Call the Hudson Valley NYSERDA office at (845) 331-2238, and they can help you find a contractor to perform the audit and give you more information on the program.

I am interested in the duct and air sealing rebate. Can any Trade Ally do the duct and air sealing?
No. You must choose from the list of contractors who are certified by the Building Performance Institute (BPI). Click here to reach the list of BPI-certified Trade Allies.

I want to become a SavingsCentral Trade Ally. What steps do I need to take?
Learn more about the program from this Trade Ally resource page.

How are SavingsCentral programs funded?
SavingsCentral energy efficiency programs are funded through the System Benefits Charge, paid by all electric distribution customers of Central Hudson. It appears as "SBC Charge" on your bill.

How can I learn more about NYSERDA programs?
Visit NYSERDA's Web site at www.getenergysmart.org or call 877-NYSMART (877-697-6278).  You may also call the local Energy Smart office in Kingston at (845) 331-2238. To learn more about federal tax credit, visit the web site or call (888) 782-7937.