Energy Efficiency Programs
Statewide Energy Efficiency Program Information Center
All of NH’s residents contribute to the utility-administered statewide “Core” energy efficiency programs. This charge appears on your electric bill entitled “Systems Benefit Charge.” You can learn more about the programs by calling your utility, checking your utility’s website, or you may visit www.nhsaves.com. There is also an automated telephone line that offers brief descriptions of all of the energy efficiency programs available in New Hampshire. To reach the Statewide Energy Efficiency Program Call Center dial toll-free, 1-866-266-2420.
To view the efficiency program filings with the Public Utilities Commission, please see Core Energy Efficiency Programs (NHPUC) for Electric and Gas Energy Efficiency Conservation Programs (NHPUC) for natural gas. The utilities also have a lot of information about the programs they administer on their websites. Please take a look!
Electric Utilities
Natural Gas Utilities
Why Energy Star? 
ENERGY STAR is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) whose purpose is to help consumers save money and protect the environment through energy efficient products and practices.
In 2006 alone, ENERGY STAR helped Americans reduce their energy consumption by enough to avoid greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those from 25 million cars and save $14 billion on their utility bills.
Energy efficient choices can save families about a third on their energy bill with similar savings of greenhouse gas emissions and without sacrificing features, style or comfort. When you look for new household products, such as lighting fixtures and bulbs as well as appliances, make an energy efficient choice. Look for those that have earned the ENERGY STAR label, which meet strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the EPA and DOE.
To learn more about the ENERGY STAR program and the numerous products that are available, visit www.energystar.gov. Also, at www.nhsaves.com you can view retailers in New Hampshire that offer ENERGY STAR products.
Watt's New
Renewable Energy Option - Please sign up for the renewable energy option with your electric utility! It is easy to sign up online or over the phone (you will need your account number). This option allows you to choose to make 25%, 50% or 100% of your bill renewable, and you can change your choice monthly.
Please vote with your wallet to support renewable energy, and spread the word!
PSNH Customers – Call 1-800-662-7764 or visit online at http://psnhenergybrief.com/index.php?option=com_
content&view=article&id=67:psnh-introduces-a-new-
green-rate&catid=1:recent-news&Itemid=3.
Unitil Customers – Call 1-800-852-3339 or visit online at https://myaccount.unitil.com/greenneighbor/.
Liberty Utilities Customers – Call 1-800-332-3223 or visit us online at
www.libertyutilities.com/efficiency
NHEC Customers – Call 1-800-698-2007 or 603-536-1800, or visit online at https://www.nhec.com/renewable_choice.php.
Net Metering Rate - Net Metering is available to any customer with a generator that produces electricity using a renewable energy source such as biomass, solar, wind, or water, and that has a capacity of 100 kilowatts or less. Under the Net Metering option, a customer’s monthly bill amount will reflect the difference between the power they generated and the power they used from their electric company during that month.
On 6-14-2010 House Bill 1353 was adopted into law. Because of the enactment of this law, Docket Number DRM 10-216 Rulemaking re Puc 900, Net Metering has begun. See http://www.puc.nh.gov/Regulatory/Docketbk/2010/10-216.htm.
For more information on Net Energy Billing, please visit the PUC’s website at http://www.puc.state.nh.us/Regulatory/Rules/puc900.pdf, email them at puc@puc.nh.gov or call them at (603) 271-2431 or toll free in NH at 1-800-852-3793.
Did You Know?
Kilowatt Counters are available to borrow from most local libraries in the State of New Hampshire. Have you ever wanted to know if that old refrigerator was an energy hog on your electric bill? Well, now you can find out! Reserve one at your local library today.
Pull the Plug!
Did you know that unplugging unused items in your house could save you money on your monthly electricity bill? In addition, by using UL approved power strips instead of each item being plugged in separately, drawing power even when they are not in use, you save money by reducing your “phantom load.” Phantom load refers to the energy used to keep your electrical appliance/items in “standby” mode. If you plug them all into a power strip, you can then turn off the power-strip when these items are not in use with the press of a button. When you need the microwave, all you need to do is hit one button, and your appliance is on. Any appliance/item that does not require 24/7 electricity (ex. refrigerator, stove, alarm clock) could be on a power strip. The more efficiently you use your electricity, the more money you will save. .It’s simple! And it could save you a lot!
How much can you save by curbing your phantom load? In 2000, researchers from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory estimated that Americans spend around $4 billion annually on standby power alone. In 2001, a report showed that standby power consumption accounted for an average of 15% of electricity consumption.
Each household is different in their needs, so take a tour of your house and assess where a power strip would be useful. Do you know how you stack up compared to the average residential use of about 650 kWh/month?
Here is our challenge to ratepayers…Let’s see how much phantom load you can get rid of. Tell us what you did and how much you are saving. Send us your stories at oca@oca.nh.gov.
Additional Information
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