Articles

Energy plan urges boro to Kill-A-Watt

By Alex Christodoulides
December 28, 2006

Five Queens neighborhoods are the targets of a new energy-saving program called Operation Kill-A-Watt, launched earlier this month by Public Energy Solutions and Con Edison.

Operation Kill-A-Watt was designed to help selected businesses and residents of Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan and Westchester counties reap the benefits of "going green" by using more energy-efficient light bulbs.

From now until Feb. 15, Public Energy Solutions is offering free lighting upgrades and cash back to eligible building owners in parts of Richmond Hill, Howard Beach, South Ozone Park, Jamaica and Forest Hills. The two partners urge residents in selected ZIP codes who are using 25 or more incandescent light bulbs in their buildings to sign up for free compact fluorescent lamps (table lamps excluded) through Operation Kill-A-Watt.

These energy-efficient lamps can cut energy costs by consuming 80 percent less power than incandescent bulbs and last 10 times longer, according to Public Energy Solutions. The bulbs also burn cooler than incandescent bulbs, which can help lower air-conditioning costs in summer by reducing overall heat emission throughout the building, Public Energy Solutions said.

Operation Kill-A-Watt will pay eligible customers for each replaced incandescent bulb by its wattage, Public Energy Solutions said.

"Smart building owners and facility managers know the value of keeping energy expenses low. Additionally, this city needs all the help it can get when it comes to reducing demand on the power grid," said Keith Hartman, president of Public Energy Solutions.

Public Energy Solutions is a former division of PSEG Energy Technologies. It was contracted by Con Edison for this exclusive program to reduce demand on the city's power grid in certain neighborhoods.

For more information about operation Kill-A-watt, contact Public Energy Solutions at 866-818-1900, Ext. 102, or visit www.publicenergysolutions.com.