More than 47,700 customers received incentives from Con Edison's Green Team to make energy- and money-saving upgrades to their homes and businesses in 2013, the company said.

The more than 45,700 customers who made upgrades to save electricity and the nearly 2,000 customers who made gas upgrades received $45.94 million in incentives. The company’s Green Team paid those incentives for new energy-efficient lighting, heating and cooling systems, building controls and other energy-saving measures.

"Our customers are benefiting from our incentive programs that help them pay for upgrades and lower their energy usage," said Rebecca Craft, Con Edison’s director of Energy Efficiency and Demand Management. "These customers are taking advantage of technology to make their homes and businesses more comfortable and affordable."

The energy-saving measures customers installed in 2013 will have a real impact on the environment. The upgrades will prevent more than 71,000 tons of carbon emissions annually. That is the equivalent of taking more than 11,800 cars off the road.

In the five years since Con Edison’s Green Team began its energy efficiency programs, nearly 187,000 customers have received $145.44 million in incentives for upgrades.

The company offers residential customers rebates of up to $1,000 to replace old cooling and heating systems. Small business customers can get free energy surveys and incentives up to 70 percent for equipment upgrades.

Multifamily customers can get free energy surveys and rebates for heating and lighting upgrades for common areas and units. Commercial and industrial customers can save up to 50 percent on an energy efficiency survey and receive incentives for upgrading to efficient electric and gas equipment.