National Fuel's Conservation Incentive Program

National Fuel’s Conservation Incentive Program (CIP) offers customers valuable information on energy conservation and real-time savings opportunities, including rebates for both residential and small non-residential customers, and no-cost natural gas energy efficiency services for low-income customers.

Through the CIP, residential and small non-residential customers in National Fuel’s western New York service area can receive rebates for buying an ENERGY STAR^® rated programmable thermostat or replacing specified appliances with new energy efficient models. Low-income customers with high natural gas usage may be provided with insulation or other energy saving measures at no cost. The CIP represents a partnership between National Fuel and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and is the first program of its kind in New York State. Some of the program's features are being implemented by NYSERDA, as indicated below.

Small Non-Residential Customer Rebate Program – Gas Only

Incentives are being offered through NYSERDA’s Existing Facilities Program.

Rebates are available for small, non-residential customers whose facilities use less than 12,000 Mcf (thousand cubic feet) of natural gas per year for upgrading to more energy-efficient equipment. These customers can choose from one of two rebate options:

1. Fixed (Pre-Qualified) Rebate – Fixed rebates are available on pre-qualified equipment. It’s fast and easy. The table below summarizes elegible types of equipment and the rebates associated with upgrades to these items.

*Minimum Required Efficiency Abbreviations

(AFUE) Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency
(EF) Energy Factor
(kBtuh) 1,000 Btu per hour

Please Note: All appliances must be installed by a contractor. Non-residential customers applying for a rebate AND contractors must be able to supply one of the following: Federal ID number, a Certificate of Insurance or a Business Certificate showing their company’s name and address in order for the rebate application to be considered complete. The Conservation Incentive Program rebate offers are available for qualifying equipment purchased and installed on or after November 1, 2007 only.

2. Customized (Performace-Based) Rebate - An incentive of $15 per MMBtu is available for gas efficiency projects.

Energy efficiency measures including, but not limited to, qualifying energy efficient furnaces, boilers, water heaters and process heating equipment. Improvements directly related to gas equipment energy savings, such as steam/hot water distribution piping insulation, boiler control systems, flue gas economizers, and heat recovery, are also eligible for consideration.

A technical engineering study indicating the gas energy savings of the proposed project is required as part of the application process. Studies completed under NYSERDA’s FlexTech Program may be submitted as the required Technical Study or customers may complete their own studies.

Projects are capped at $25,000 or 50% of project cost, whichever is less.

Download Program materials and applications by accessing NYSERDA's Existing Facilities Program.

Residential Customers in National Fuel’s Western New York Service Area – Rebates

* Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency

Space and water heating appliances must be installed by a licensed contractor who can supply a Federal ID number, and a Certificate of Insurance or a Business Certificate showing their company’s name and address, in order for the rebate application to be considered complete.

These Rebates are Available through the National Fuels For Thought website. In addition, the rebates may be accessed through contractors participating in NYSERDA’s Home Performance with ENERGY STAR program. This program takes a “whole house” approach to energy efficiency improvements in your home, based on a thorough analysis conducted by a Building Performance Institute-accredited contractor.

More information regarding other NYSERDA energy efficiency programs is available by calling 1-877-NY-SMART.

No-Cost Natural Gas Efficiency Services for Low-Income Customers

The National Fuel Conservation Incentive Program also helps low-income families by providing cost-effective energy use reduction measures such as:

• FREE Safety Check of the heating system
• FREE Energy Survey to find out where energy dollars are being lost
• FREE Energy-saving measures, such as attic insulation, wall insulation, or draft reducing measures, such as caulking and weather-stripping
• FREE ENERGY STAR lighting and other electricity reduction measures
• FREE Energy Education to provide tips on ways to manage energy usage

These services are provided through a partnership between National Fuel and NYSERDA’s EmPower New York program, and are being administered by NYSERDA. Services related to reducing household electric usage are being offered independently from the Conservation Incentive Program.

Who is Eligible: Current National Fuel natural gas customers who reside in 1- or 2- family homes western New York who have high energy bills, and whose household income is below 60% of the state median (these are the same eligibility requirements used for the Home Energy Assistance Program/HEAP). Preference is given to customers who are participating in National Fuel’s Low Income Customer Assistance Affordability Program (LICAAP).

Access to the Program: Households are referred into EmPower New York^SM by a National Fuel representative, based on energy usage and income eligibility. Priority is given to households with the highest energy use.

What is the Cost? There is no cost to the customer. In rental situations, some measures that directly benefit the eligible tenant are offered without a landlord contribution. Other measures may require a 25% landlord contribution.

How Will the Services be Determined? Energy efficiency services are prioritized based on the potential for cost-effective energy usage reduction.

For more information about services that are available to low-income customers through the Conservation Incentive Program, contact EmPower New York at 1-800-263-0960 or visit the EmPower New York website.