For the third consecutive year, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) is continuing its HVAC Business Partners program. This program aids commercial and industrial building owners by increasing the energy efficiency of their rooftop air conditioners while also providing several non-energy benefits, such as comfort and air quality.    

To date, the HVAC Business Partners Program has 50 partner firms statewide and has trained more than 120 technicians, who have provided Quality Maintenance service on more than 375 rooftop units. 

Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) companies throughout New York State that provide maintenance services to commercial facilities can apply to be an HVAC Business Partner. Trained and qualified technicians follow the ANSI/ASHRAE/ACCA Standard 180 for Quality Maintenance, a complex inspection and maintenance task list, to provide customers with sophisticated service. With the use of an advanced handheld diagnostic tool, technicians can more accurately read and correct such things as airflow and refrigerant charge. This full service maintenance program can save business owners between 15 and 25 percent of energy cost per rooftop unit, depending on the unit’s existing condition. 

The HVAC Business Partners program proves to be beneficial for business owners seeking to maximize the utility of their existing air conditioning units. Steve Lefebvre, President at ABC Empire State Chapter, Syracuse, N.Y., said, “Use of the test equipment that allowed [the technician] to know, definitively, that their efforts had made an impact on the performance was truly eye opening.  We now know you can’t simply change filters and hope to maintain the rated performance of the equipment.” 

Through this thorough approach, each component of the system is checked and corrected, ensuring the long-term efficiency of the equipment and comfort of the occupants. 

“By participating in NYSERDA’s program, we are now able to expand our business model to incorporate these enhanced services, and we now have the tools to differentiate ourselves from other HVAC contractors,” said Brian Bulriss, senior technician at TAG Mechanical Systems, Syracuse, N.Y., a participating partner.  A list of HVAC Business Partner firms can be found on the NYSERDA website at www.nyserda.ny.gov/Contractors/Find-a-Contractor.aspx. 

For additional information on NYSERDA’s HVAC Business Partners Program please visit: http://nyserda.ny.gov/hvac. HVAC firms interested in becoming a NYSERDA Business Partner should contact NYSERDA at 1-866-904-8027 or email us at hvacpartners@nyserda.ny.gov.

NYSERDA, a public benefit corporation, offers objective information and analysis, innovative programs, technical expertise, and funding to help New Yorkers increase energy efficiency, save money, use renewable energy, and reduce their reliance on fossil fuels. NYSERDA professionals work to protect our environment and create clean-energy jobs. NYSERDA has been developing partnerships to advance innovative energy solutions in New York since 1975.