Small Business Energy Advantage Program Overview
As part of the Small Business Energy Advantage (SBEA) program, a utility-authorized contractor performs a no-cost, no-obligation energy assessment (audit) of your small business’s facility and then manages the installation of the energy-saving improvements they recommend. This one-stop service, combined with our incentives and zero-interest, on-bill payment plans, allows you to get started right away on energy-saving improvements that save your business money in the long run.
How the Small Business Energy Advantage Program Works ➞
If you’re like many small commercial and industrial businesses, you don’t have the time, financial resources, or in-house expertise necessary to analyze and reduce your energy usage. We can help. Our utility-authorized contractors will come to your business and perform a no-cost, no-obligation audit of your facility that includes lighting, HVAC, and refrigeration systems. You’ll receive a customized recommendation that shows you how much energy and money you could save by upgrading to energy-efficient equipment. The contractor can then manage the whole installation process for you. And our incentives and low-interest on-bill payment plans can help pay for these upgrades.
Program Features
- No-cost energy assessment
- The comprehensive proposal includes all eligible energy efficiency measures, complete with material and installation costs and estimated savings
- You decide what improvements make sense for you; there’s no obligation to install
- No upfront costs for installed upgrades
- Incentives up to cover a portion of the installed cost
- Zero-interest and low-cost financing for the balance of installed cost* (payable on your monthly electric bill, so you only have one monthly payment)
- One-year warranty on contractors’ parts and labor
*Must qualify for financing. Zero-interest financing is available to qualified customers.
Don’t wait—call today to start saving. Your investment will deliver energy cost savings, year after year.
Call 877-WISE-USE (877-947-3873) for more information.
Small Business Energy Advantage Program Eligibility ➞
Commercial and Industrial Eversource customers that use less than 1,250,000 kWh annually across all their CT properties, and UI customers with an average 12-month peak demand between 10 and 200kW are eligible for the SBEA program. For natural gas measures, you must be a firm customer of CNG, SCG, or Eversource.
Check Your Eligibility
Gather last month’s bill and determine if your usage is under approximately 80,000 kWh. If so, you may qualify. Call your electric utility today!
Types of Small Businesses That Can Benefit
- Restaurants
- Car washes
- Churches/synagogues/meeting centers
- Long-term care/assisted living facilities
- Libraries, museums, and more
- Retail stores
- Office settings: insurance and real estate brokers, law offices, doctor's offices, accounting firms, etc.
- Grocery and convenience stores
- Non-profit organizations
- Gyms
Starting the process is easy. Just contact one of the SBEA contractors or call 877-WISE-USE to start the process.
If you are a Connecticut business and are not served by one of the utilities listed above, please visit your municipal utility's website to see what energy efficiency programs are available to you.
Thousands of Connecticut small business and commercial customers have benefited from SBEA—and you can too.
Examples of Small Business and Commercial Customers That Have Benefited from SBEA
| Project | Family Farm | Independently Owned Grocery Store | Museum |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project Description: | Energy Efficient Lighting and Occupancy Sensors | Energy Efficient Lighting, Occupancy Sensors, Cooler Night Covers, Motors, and Controls | Energy Efficient Lighting and Occupancy Sensors |
| Total Cost: | $5,899 | $218,597 | $32,175 |
| Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund Incentive: | $2,947 | $69,945 | $9,605 |
| Monthly Loan Payment (Zero Percent Interest): | $227 / 13 months | $5,946 / 25 months | $940 / 24 months |
| Net Monthly Electric Savings (During Loan Period): | $26 | $127 | $53 |
| Net Monthly Electric Savings (After the Loan Is Paid Off): | $253 | $6,073 |
Call 877-WISE-USE (877-947-3873) for more information.
Case Studies
Better lighting is great for educational areas and the gymnasium, but it also provides improved safety and security.
Robert D., Hall Neighborhood House
A Step-by-Step Guide to the SBEA Program ➞
Schedule your no-obligation energy assessment with a Small Business Energy Advantage (SBEA) program-authorized contractor. These licensed professionals have been selected by your utility, work throughout the state, and are fully trained in how the program works.
Getting started is easy. Call our toll-free number, contact a program-authorized contractor, or contact your utility provider:
- Call 1-877-WISE-USE
- Click Find-A-Professional to locate an SBEA program-authorized contractor
- Click the link of your utility provider: Eversource UI
Once your utility determines that you are eligible for the program, the SBEA-authorized contractor calls you to schedule a visit.
Note: As our contractors continue to conduct in-person energy assessments, they are required to diligently follow state-mandated safety protocols to ensure your safety and the protection of their team members. The Sponsors of Energize ConnecticutSM remain committed to delivering high-quality energy assessments and services while prioritizing the health and safety of all. If you have a question about our safety procedures and requirements, please use the Contact Us form to reach out.
During the visit, the contractor conducts an energy assessment of your facility free of charge. Your utility reviews the assessment and, if approved, the contractor presents you with a proposal. The comprehensive proposal includes energy-saving improvements that make sense for your business, complete installation costs, and estimated energy savings, along with the incentives that you qualify for and your financing options.
After the paperwork is signed, your project can get started—in some cases within 30 days. SBEA program incentives offset a portion of the cost of qualifying measures.
Interest-free financing for the balance of the project is available for qualified customers. The financed amount will appear on your monthly electric bill, allowing you to make just one monthly payment for both your SBEA loan and your electric bill.
Financial incentives help get your project completed the right way, the first time. The energy-saving benefits will continue, year after year.
Lighting—Interior/Exterior
- High-performance lighting
- Induction and LED lighting
- Occupancy sensors
- Photocells
Heating/Ventilation/Air Conditioning
- Energy-efficient equipment upgrades
- Programmable thermostats
- Energy management systems
Refrigeration
- Anti-condensation door heater controls
- Evaporator fan controls
- Night covers
- Electronically commutated motors
- Energy-efficient kitchen equipment
Natural Gas-Saving Equipment
- Spray nozzles
- Showerheads
- Aerators
- Programmable thermostats
- Pipe and duct insulation
- Energy management systems
- Indoor boiler reset controls
- Heating equipment
- Water heating equipment
- Kitchen equipment
- Infrared space heaters
- Envelope measures
Other Improvements
- Air compressors
- Variable frequency drives
- Premium-efficiency motors
- Custom measures
