PNM helps businesses and citizens to save money

ALBUQUERQUE>> PNM paid more than $3.7 million in incentives to New Mexico businesses in 2013.

The company announced new energy-saving programs, Wednesday, for businesses and commercial building owners. PNM is adding to their existing rebates and services to help business save on electricity bills. These programs reduce the initial cost of energy efficiency improvements and shorten the investment payback period.

PNM has enhanced the rebate opportunities for business through the new Building Tune-up program, which program is designed to improve the energy efficiency by bringing mechanical and electrical systems up to peak performance levels. This systematic analysis takes advantage of energy efficiency measures that are usually overlooked.

Another program on offer is Retro-commissioning, which provides a facility assessment, a report of findings and incentives for installing energy-saving measures. This program targets commercial building owners with an annual energy usage of at least 750,000 kWh.

The Advanced AC Tune-up allows building owners to make substantial upgrades to cooling units to save a significant amount of energy. Trained professionals provide diagnostic and inspection services to improve performance of heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems. Every component of the HVAC system is tested to ensure it is operating at full capacity. The AC Tune-up is available to commercial building owners with an annual energy usage of less than 750,000 kilowatt-hours whose HVAC systems are older than three years and at least four tons in size.

The Building Operator Certification is a nationally recognized, competency-based training and certification program. PNM will provide tuition support for qualifying facilities' personnel to enroll in classes providing improved job skills and knowledge to transform workplaces to be more comfortable, energy-efficient and environmentally friendly.

Existing PNM programs include: New Construction where PNM business customers can apply for incentives for building a more efficiency facility; Retrofit Rebates with pre-set and custom incentives to business customers to install energy-efficiency equipment within existing facilities and PNM Quick Saver for small business accounts to make lighting and refrigeration upgrades.

For applications, eligibility requirements and more information, visit their website at http://www.pnmenergyefficiency.com.

Residential customers also can receive rebates through PNM. The Refrigerator Recycling Program will pay the consumer $50 for old refrigerators and take the units away. "Most people will take their old refrigerators and move them into the garage. What you're doing is taking the most inefficient appliance in the house and move it where it will have to work that much harder," said Ryan Baca of PNM media relations.

PNM then recycles the parts. Glass from refrigerators are added to asphalt while plastic parts get turned into computer components. Insulation is now used to clean up oil spills.

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PNM helps businesses and citizens to save money