A strong incentive program is leading many Con Edison customers to use renewable and reliable energy as they save money, the utility giant said on Monday.
Con Edison customers took to solar power, battery storage and energy efficiency savings at an increased rate last year, with 54,000 solar customers reducing at least one electric bill to zero usage, Con Edison reps said on March 31.
The strong demand for renewable energy comes as the utility announced in January a possible rate hike to begin next year.
According to the company, an incentives program of over $161 million helped more than 338,000 customers in NYC and nearby lower their energy use and save money in 2024. About $80 million of that number helped low- and moderate-income customers.
According to Con Edison, the company gave customers nearly $421 million in energy efficiency incentives over three years.
Delving deeper into the money-saving efforts, the company’s affordable Multi-family Energy Efficiency Program last year funded energy efficiency upgrades that reduced energy use for about 142,000 low- and moderate-income customers.
“Con Edison customers continue to transition to clean energy in greater numbers. For example, in 2024, more than 338,000 energy efficiency program participants reduced their annual electric and gas bills and leveraged incentives,” said Vicki Kuo, senior vice president for Con Edison Customer Energy Solutions. “We’re working closely with our customers to help them make informed decisions to conserve energy and save money.”
However, customers could also face another rate hike for electricity and gas heating, per a letter Con Edison filed on Jan. 31 to the NYS Public Service Commission. The letter proposes a rate hike of 11.4% for electricity and 13.3% for gas.
The hikes, if approved, would start on Jan. 1, 2026.
In response to the possible hikes, several NYC politicians are pushing the Pass NY Heat Act. The law would aim to lower utility bills and allow utilities to provide “cheaper and clean” heating alternatives at no additional cost to customers, several elected officials have said.
“As Con Edison raises gas rates again for customers, it’s clear that the NY HEAT Act is more urgent than ever,” NYS Assembly Member Yudelka Tapia said. “This latest hike will cost families more per month, with another increase coming in 2026. The NY HEAT Act would cap energy bills and save Bronx residents an average of $139 monthly. With the Senate already on board, it’s now up to the Assembly to pass this bill and deliver relief to families in need.”
Clean energy initiatives
With “clean energy” alternatives on the rise, Con Edison reps said customers continue to choose options such as solar generation, battery storage, electric vehicle chargers and clean heat options.
For example, customers installed 100 megawatts of solar generation capacity and 44 megawatts of battery storage capacity in 2024, according to the utility.
“Con Edison customers now have the capacity to produce more than 679 megawatts of solar energy generated with 75,200 installations,” a Con Edison press release noted.
Con Edison said it anticipates customer-owned renewable energy projects to remain strong in 2025, based on declining technology costs and customer incentives.
New Yorkers can visit coned.com for more financial, operations and customer service information.
