Energy Efficiency & Renewables Programs
New England business owners have long sought new and innovative ways to lower energy costs while also making thoughtful choices about energy efficiency. The New Hampshire Business Resource Center (BRC) offers many programs and resources to assist New Hampshire companies with energy efficiency and pollution prevention. BRC and its partners will work with you to provide information on audits, workshops, training, new technologies, R&D and financing opportunities that relate to improving productivity and energy efficiency for your business.
Energy Efficiency Initiative. The Business Resource Center has put its energy into centralizing information on energy efficiency for businesses. Now it’s time to use yours and start saving energy and money today. To begin, please contact your electric utility, via nhsaves.com for energy audits and rebates.
Other Important Information:
1. Large Business Free Assistance
2. Office of Energy and Planning & Other State Agencies
3. US Department of Energy
4. NH Incentives/Policies for Renewables & Efficiency
5. Energy Efficiency & Renewables Financing Options
6. Facts and Organizations Supporting the Efficient Use of Energy
nhsaves.com Electric utility energy efficiency programs for small and large businesses. Programs include energy audits, rebates, and financing. nhsaves means you and your electric utility, working together to save energy, reduce costs, and protect the environment.
Electric Utilities:
Service Location Map
Service Location by Town
National Grid
NH Electric Co-op
Public Service of NH
Unitil
Gas Utilities
Gas Service Location Map
National Grid Gas
Unitil Gas
1. Large Business Free Assistance If your business’s annual energy bill is over $100,000 per year then BRC has some free energy efficiency and renewables engineering audit services that may help reduce your usage. Please complete the attached Pre-Assessment Energy Survey and submit it to determine if you qualify. (Once you qualify you will be asked to complete a Memorandum of Understanding). This Expanded Business Energy Efficiency Program is funded through the NH Office of Energy and Planning by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
2. State of
Office of Energy and Planning OEP provides information, data and guidance to assist decision makers on issues pertaining to development, land protection, energy use and community planning. OEP guides the state's future growth through public policy development, education, research, and partnership building. This site provides information on their many programs.
Public Utilities Commission NHPUC’s mission to ensure that customers of regulated utilities receive safe, adequate and reliable service at just and reasonable rates. On their web site, you will find useful information on a wide range of issues whether you are a electric, natural gas, or water utility customer. See the Sustainable Energy Division for helpful information and rebates. MyEnergyPlan.net provides great web based tools for residential buildings. If your business offers energy services to the general public, consider Listing Your Company for others to view.
Department of Environmental Services Air Resources Division Energy Links
3. US Department of Energy
Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy
Energy Star Portfolio Manager: Ways to benchmark the energy use in businesses.
4. NH Incentives/Policies for Renewables & Efficiency
DSIRE Solar contains a listing of incentives offered to businesses in NH
5. Energy Efficiency & Renewables Financing Options
NH Business Finance Authority
BFA’s Business Energy Conservation Revolving Loan Fund provides direct loans to improve energy efficiency in NH workplaces. The minimum loan amount is $100,000 with loan terms up to five years.
Community Development Finance Authority
CDFA's Enterprise Energy Fund is a low-interest loan and grant program available to businesses and non-profit organizations to help finance energy improvements and renewable energy projects in their building. The goal is to reduce energy costs and consumption, promote economic recovery, and job creations. Please visit the CDFA's website for more details. Typical loans will range from $10,000 to $500,000
People's United Bank Energy Efficiency Program The BRC and People's United Bank understand that small businesses in our community need the latest tools to save money and improve the environment. That's why they created a special business loan program for just this purpose. People's United Bank's Energy Efficiency Program is designed to help New Hampshire business owners lower energy costs with a reduced interest rate loan. Participating businesses can use the loan for structural and equipment improvements, which will reduce their energy consumption, thereby saving their business money and helping to conserve energy. You can download a PDF about the program. You can also fill out a pre-qualification form online.
Retail Merchants Association
Retail Merchants Association offers detailed energy efficiency audits to specifically analyze building energy usage. They also offer partial funding available to help members implement energy efficiency projects.
USDA Rural Development Rural Energy for America Program Grants/Energy Audit and Renewable Energy Development Assist (REAP/EA/REDA) The REAP/EA/REDA Grant Program will provide grants for energy audits and renewable energy development assistance. Rural Energy for America Program Guaranteed Loan Program (REAP LOAN) The REAP Guaranteed Loan Program encourages the commercial financing of renewable energy (bioenergy, geothermal, hydrogen, solar, wind and hydro power) and energy efficiency projects.
6. Facts and Organizations Supporting the Efficient Use of Energy
A. A great resource for manufacturing is the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP). NH BRC provides MEP with energy engineer consultants that conduct Lean Energy analysis as part of their Lean Energy and Environment initiative. A great example of a how NH MEP identifies energy savings.
B.
C. NH Energy and Climate Collaborative tracks and facilitates the implementation of 67 recommendations from the NH Climate Action Plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
D. New Hampshire Additional Energy Efficiency Opportunities Assessment: Presentation of Results and Potential Implications.
E. Business Weatherization: Building Performance Institute Contractors and NH REPA Weatherization Contract Services