The Manhattan Times

Free program cuts electricity costs by 20 percent

by Daniel P. Bader

For Wash Rite laundry owner Sung Cho, electricity is a big expense. He has two locations, one on Nagle Avenue and another on Broadway and Academy Street, that are open around the clock. While not all the 208 washers and dryers are being used all the time, the lights are on 24 hours a day.

But thanks to a program sponsored by ConEdison and Assembly Member Adriano Espaillat and administered by the Hispanic Federation, Cho has seen his $2,000-per location electric bill drop significantly.

“It’d say it dropped a good 20 percent,” Cho said. “At no cost to me.”

Recently, a team visited Cho’s two locations and conducted energy audits. They inspected the lighting inside and awning outside to determine if an upgrade was necessary.

Workers took away Cho’s old fluorescent lights – four long tube bulbs to a light panel – and replaced them with two energy efficient bulbs with mirrored backings. When they were done, the two Wash Rite’s received 50 to 60 new light sets.

“Work was done in the span of a week or two,” Cho said. “Once they had the parts it went quick.”

Cho was one of a group of 113 businesses who applied to the program, which kicked off in December 2008.

The money comes from a court settlement over the 1999 blackout that left Northern Manhattan dark for 18 hours during a heat wave.

According to program director Marisa Casellas, 66 businesses have successfully applied, completed energy audits and received new lighting equipment. Casellas said that the 47 businesses that did not receive new lights either did not qualify, decided they didn’t want to participate or went out of business.

The Hispanic Federation has received just about half of the $1 million dedicated to the program and has money left for more businesses to take advantage of the program.

“We really want to hit as many [businesses] as we can,” Casellas said.

Businesses located between W. 155th and W. 220th Streets that have an annual electric bills under $75,000 are eligible for the program, but they have to be current on their ConEd payments.

For more information or for an application call 1-866-432-9832 or complete the application on page 11 of this issue of the Manhattan Times.