MARCH 2017 • Volume 13 • Issue 3 GUARANTEED AND INSURED ENERGY SAVINGS! 7 QUEENS HOMEOWNERS TO RECEIVE BY ANDY FRANK Founder and CEO Sealed According to ACEEE (American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy), “American homes use almost 25% of the energy consumed in the United States. About 80% of that energy is used in single family homes, 15% in multi-family homes (such as apartments and condos), and 5% in mobile homes. Although residential energy use has steadily increased over the past 25 years, it has increased at a slower rate than the rate of the population increase. However, many efficiency gains are being offset by increases in the number of electronics and appliances in the average home. There are still many large opportunities for improvement, especially in areas such as whole-home performance and systems.” In 2013, after Hurricane Sandy, Governor Cuomo launched the Reforming the Energy Vision (“REV”) initiative to create a cleaner, cheaper, and more resilient energy system in New York. Around that same time, I founded Sealed (sealed.com) out of a one-bedroom apartment in Astoria. The goal was, and remains, to help homeowners improve the comfort, health, and environmental footprint of their home in an affordable manner. Now, four years later, New York is leading the charge nationally on fundamental energy reform. Utilities are changing their business models, renewable energy is growing rapidly, and companies are finding new and innovative ways to help people to reduce their energy consumption. With the help of the New York Green Bank (introduced as part of REV), Sealed has just introduced a first-of-its kind program, HomeAdvance (sealed.com/ homeadvance). HomeAdvance is a way for customers to upgrade their home at an affordable price without increasing their existing budget. The program pays for some or all of standard home upgrades like insulation, HVAC, lighting, and smart home devices. Sealed finances these improvements directly from the resulting energy savings. If you don’t save as much as predicted, then Sealed takes the risk, and you still end up paying less than you would have if you paid cash--simple as that. There is also no early payment penalty, so customers literally have nothing to lose but a chilly house or old equipment. Importantly, HomeAdvance energy savings are backstopped by an insurance policy from Hartford Steam Boiler, one of the world’s largest equipment insurers. To develop this insurance program, Sealed worked closely with E-Capital Insurance Services, an innovative energy insurance brokerage that specializes in energy efficiency insurance programs. “Through this program, the obstacles to a homeowner implementing a comprehensive energy efficiency project are almost entirely removed. How can you say ‘no’ to improved home comfort and energy savings that are insured?” said Marshall Haimson, President of E-Capital. Sealed is currently working with several utilities in New York, including National Grid, Orange & Rockland Utilities and Con Edison, to provide utility customers with free home energy consultations and affordable home upgrades. We partner with local contractors from Syracuse to Suffolk County to provide many of these services and help them to create good, blue collar (and green!) jobs that can never be outsourced. There are hundreds of small businesses in New York that want to do the right thing and help customers increase their comfort while lowering their energy usage and environmental footprint. Collectively, these partners serve geographies that cover 50% of New York homes. The HomeAdvance program is expanding in Queens, New York, and beyond. We strongly believe that energy efficiency can be a real energy resource that provides real customer benefits (insulation makes you more comfortable, wind power does not!). And in fact, since 1970, energy efficiency has accounted for more than double all new energy production combined. We are very excited about the future, and we hope to deepen our ties to local communities, utilities, and contractors. Organizations like the Queens Chamber of Commerce are an important venue to accomplish all of these goals, and we are excited to be a part of something that is so supportive of local energy innovation. Sealed is redefining energy services for homeowners. Leveraging proprietary data, analytics, and software, it is the first and only company to finance energy efficiency home improvements directly with the resulting energy savings. We are overcoming traditional barriers to the residential energy efficiency market, enabling rapid growth by making energy savings a bankable asset. Mayor Bill de Blasio and Department of Small Business Services Commissioner Gregg Bishop recently announced the launch of “NYC Love Your Local,” a new initiative to celebrate and promote the diverse, independent small businesses that enrich neighborhoods across New York City. The campaign will run through April, 2017. The program encourages New Yorkers to share their favorite independent, non-franchise businesses, which will add them to an interactive map that is now available online at www. nyc.gov/loveyourlocal. You can also share why you love your favorite local business on social media by using the hashtag #LoveYourLocalNYC. Shared businesses may apply for a share of $1.8 million in grant funding and expert advice to help them better meet competitive pressure. Small businesses will be eligible to apply for grants of up to $90,000; long-standing businesses will be given preference for awards. Winning businesses will receive advice from industry experts and a grant to make proposed changes a reality. Improvements might include making menu changes, or improving a shop’s layout, but will be as unique as the businesses that win. Though businesses may be shared by New Yorkers, businesses must submit applications for grant funding. Applications will be open through April and grant decisions will be made in the fall. In addition, the Department of Small Business Services has launched a $400,000 advertising campaign to promote the NYC Love Your Local campaign and encourage New Yorkers to shop locally. The ads, aimed to encourage campaign engagement and for New Yorkers to shop at independent neighborhood businesses, will be running in subway cars, LinkNYC terminals, the Staten Island Ferry, on radio stations and in other print and digital forms across the city. About the Department of Small Business Services (SBS): The SBS helps unlock economic potential and create economic security for all New Yorkers by connecting New Yorkers to good jobs, creating stronger businesses, and building a fairer economy in neighborhoods across the five boroughs. For more information on all SBS services, go to www.nyc.gov/sbs. LOVE YOUR LOCAL NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESSES!
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