Frequently Asked Questions
NYSERDA's Existing Facilities Program
Overview
Q: What is the Existing Facilities Program?
A: NYSERDA's Existing Facilities Program (EFP) offers incentives for a variety of energy efficiency retrofit projects in commercial and institutional on both a Pre-Qualified and Performance-Based basis.
Q: What is a Pre-Qualified Project?
A: Pre-Qualified projects involve the installation of energy-saving products or equipment that NYSERDA has pre-approved to be included in this program on a dollar-per-unit basis. Applications are to be submitted within 90 days after project completion.
Q: What is a Performance-Based Project?
A: Performance-Based projects involve assessing current energy usage and submitting a plan for energy savings that will result from the installation of energy-saving products or equipment. These projects tend to be on a larger scale than Pre-Qualified projects, and do not begin until NYSERDA approves the application. Applications can be submitted within 90 days of project contracting.
Q: How much funding is available?
A: Over $50 million is available for distribution to New York State businesses through December 31, 2015, or until the funds are exhausted.
Q: What is the source of this funding?
A: The funds are sourced through the Public Service Commission's Systems Benefits Charge (SBC) contributions paid by most utility companies toward a range of industry improvements. NYSERDA's Existing Facilities Program has been established in part to return a significant portion of the contributions submitted by New York State's business owners to those entities, through energy-efficiency improvement incentives.
Q: Can I be notified of program updates and funding availability?
A: Yes. Funding status announcements are sent periodically to individuals who have signed up to be on our email distribution list.
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Eligibility – Types of Facilities
Q: What types of facilities are eligible to participate?
A: Eligible facilities must pay into the Public Service Commission's System Benefits Charge (SBC) as electric and/or natural gas customers through one of the following utility companies:
| Utility Company |
Electric |
Natural Gas |
| The Brooklyn Union Gas Company d/b/a National Grid NY* |
|
X |
| Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation |
X |
X |
| Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc.* |
X |
X |
| KeySpan Gas East Corporation d/b/a National Grid (KEDNY/KEDLI)* |
|
X |
| National Grid Generation d/b/a National Grid |
X |
X |
| National Fuel Gas Distribution Corporation |
|
X |
| New York State Electric & Gas Corporation |
X |
X |
| Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc. |
X |
X |
| Rochester Gas and Electric Corporation |
X |
X |
* Denotes downstate utility companies.
Q: How can I determine whether I'm paying the System Benefit Charge (SBC)?
A: On a recent electric and/or natural gas bill, SBC would be listed as one of the delivery charges. If you do not see this line item, please contact your utility company, or NYSERDA at EFPOutreach@nyserda.ny.gov.
Q: My facility does not currently pay SBC, but will be soon. Can I still qualify?
A: You can apply to the Existing Facilities Program as soon as you have a utility bill showing that your facility is paying into the SBC.
Q: If I only pay SBC on the electric portion of my utility bill, can I qualify for natural gas incentives as well?
A: No. The facility must pay the SBC on the related portion of the bill (electric or natural gas).
Q: I pay SBC on only a percentage of my utility bill. Would my incentives be reduced?
A: Potentially. For customers who pay SBC on less than 50% of their usage, incentives are calculated on a pro-rated basis.
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Eligibility – Types of Projects
Q: What types of projects are eligible?
A: The Existing Facilities Program offers incentives towards capital improvements for existing commercial and institutional buildings.
Q: What types of measures are eligible?
A: Eligible measures include, but are not limited to, upgrades to heating and cooling systems, lighting, motors, commercial refrigeration, Monitoring-Based Commissioning (MBCx) and controls.
Q: Is there a minimum payback period for eligible projects?
A: Yes. Projects must have a simple payback period as follows:
- Farms and On-farm Producers - at least 6 months
- Commercial and Institutional - at least 1 year
NYSERDA's incentives will be adjusted to ensure these payback thresholds are adhered to.
Q: Are incentives available for LED lighting products?
A: The Existing Facilities Program offers Performance-Based incentives for LED products that are ENERGY STAR
or Design Lights Consortium approved. There are no Pre-Qualified incentives for LEDs at this time. Please see the Existing Facilities Program website for the most current EFP Solid State Lighting (LED) policy.
Q: Are incentives available for green roofs or windows?
A: The Existing Facilities Program does not have specific green roof or window incentives. Tax credits may be available, however. Please see the Database of Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency for more complete information on local and federal incentives.
Q: Are incentives available for oil efficiency projects?
A: There are currently no incentives available for oil efficiency projects through the Existing Facilities Program. Customers looking to purchase new electric and/or natural gas equipment to replace existing oil equipment should consider NYSERDA's Pre-Qualified incentives.
Q: Are incentives available for Multi-Family Projects?
A: The Existing Facilities Program is no longer accepting Performance-Based or Pre-Qualified applications for multifamily residential buildings. A new Multi-Family Performance Program (MPP) is now available to support energy projects in these facilities.
Q: I'm outfitting a new space in an existing building. Can I apply to this program?
A: Customers outfitting a new space, even in an existing structure, should pursue incentives through the New Construction Program. The New Construction Program provides incentives for new buildings or substantial renovations to existing buildings.
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Incentives - Amounts and Payment
Q: How are incentives calculated?
A: Incentives are calculated by determining energy savings and multiplying that number by the applicable rate below. Final incentive amounts are based on one full year's savings.
|
Upstate |
Downstate |
| Electric Efficiency |
$0.12/kWh |
$0.16/kWh |
| Energy Storage |
$300/kW |
$600/kW |
| Natural Gas Efficiency |
$15/MMBtu |
$20/MMBtu |
| Demand Response |
$100/kW |
$200/kW |
| Monitoring-Based Commissioning |
$0.05/kWh |
$0.05/kWh |
Q: Is there a maximum incentive payment?
A: NYSERDA will invest up to $2,000,000 per facility, based on specific eligibility requirements. Please see the Existing Facilities Program website for more information.
Q: How will incentives be paid?
A: Approved incentives will automatically be paid either by a check made out to the Applicant or through a direct deposit to the Applicant's designated account. NYSERDA will inform both the Applicant and the Facility Contact (if they are different) of the final incentive amount awarded. Any division of the incentive between the Applicant and other entities is completely at the discretion of the Applicant and facility. (There is no need for the Applicant to invoice NYSERDA for the incentive payment.)
Q: When will incentives be paid?
A: Incentives are issued as a one-time payment after a project has been completed and the post-installation report has been approved by NYSERDA. For projects requiring Measurement and Verification, a percentage of the incentive may be retained by NYSERDA until the anticipated savings have been verified.
Q: Can the final incentive amount be adjusted?
A: Yes. Payment will be based on the final as-built conditions, and if applicable, the adjusted energy savings estimates.
Q: Are incentives considered income by the federal and state government?
A: Yes.
Q: Is there any risk that I could I be required to pay back part of my incentive?
A: For most Applicants, the incentive payment will be theirs to keep, as it is a payment and not a loan. In rare cases in which a project requires Measurement and Verification and is found to have significantly underperformed, the Applicant may be required to reimburse NYSERDA for any incentive overpayment. In these cases, NYSERDA would contact the Applicant with further information.
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Program Process
Q: As an Applicant, how can I stay up to date about this program and my application?
A: After each approval stage (i.e., the Engineering Analysis, the Post Installation Report, and the Measurement and Verification report if applicable), notification of estimated energy savings, incentives, and project costs will be emailed to the Applicant and facility.
Q: Does my installer or contractor need to be pre-approved by NYSERDA?
A: No, all engineering firms and consultants are eligible to apply for Existing Facilities Program funding.
Q: Does NYSERDA recommend specific companies to conduct work for projects funded under the Existing Facilities Program?
A: No.
Q: Can consultant expenses related to preparing the application be included in the project cost?
A: Reasonable costs incurred preparing documentation for the Existing Facilities Program, including Measurement and Verification activities, may be included in the project cost. Please work with the Technical Consultant NYSERDA assigns to your project to determine eligible costs.
Q: Will projects be evaluated for cost effectiveness?
A: Yes. NYSERDA will evaluate projects for cost-effectiveness through a Total Resource Cost (TRC) evaluation prior to issuance of the Purchase Order. Most of the information required for this evaluation will be provided through the program's application. Applicants may be required to provide additional information to complete the evaluation.
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Applying for the Program
Q: Once I've determined that my facility and project(s) are eligible, what's the next step?
A: Complete the Consolidated Funding Application (CFA).
Q: When can I submit my application?
A: Submit Pre-Qualified incentive applications within 90 days after project completion.
Submit Performance-Based incentive applications within 90 days of project contracting. Applicants are encouraged to submit their CFAs two to three months prior to the anticipated start date to allow time for processing and a pre-installation inspection.
Q: When is the application deadline?
A: Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis through 5:00 p.m. EST on December 31, 2015, or until funds are exhausted.
Q: Where should I send my application?
A: Visit the NYSERDA CFA page to fill out the CFA on-line form and NYSERDA will receive the application.
Q: What happens after NYSERDA receives my Consolidated Funding Application?
A: The application will be reviewed for completeness, and the Applicant will be contacted to provide any remaining information. When the application is complete, a NYSERDA Project Manager and a Technical Consultant will be assigned to your project and follow up with the Applicant about next steps. A pre-installation inspection will be required before demolition or installation is initiated.
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If You Need More Information
Q: I want to submit a project, but don't know where to start. What should I do?
A: If you feel unclear about where to start after reading these FAQs, please consider participating in NYSERDA's FlexTech Program. This program offers incentives to perform feasibility studies, and can also offer technical support.
Q: I still have other questions. Who can I contact?
A: Please feel free to contact us with any questions.
- Email: EFPOutreach@nyserda.ny.gov
- Phone: 1-866-NYSERDA (Toll Free). Choose extension “0,” and ask to speak with an Existing Facilities Project Coordinator about the CFA process
For sector-specific information or assistance with the application process, please contact a NYSERDA-contracted representative listed below.
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Last Updated: 05/09/2012