Lifeline for Learning: Con Edison Helps Special Needs School Step Into Clean Energy Future

Late in 2023, the Lorge School was facing a crisis. The small special needs school in Chelsea had an aging boiler that had broken down three times that year. The lighting system, dating back decades in their 1910 building, was barely adequate for teaching. That’s when Alfred Monacella, a grant writer for the school, reached out to Con Edison and connected with Tara Saber-Khiabani, manager of the Small Business & Nonprofit Energy Efficiency Program.

“These are students who couldn’t fit into the public school system – many living in shelters or foster homes,” Monacella said. “When the boiler fails and we have to close, it disrupts their entire support system. We couldn’t keep operating like that.”

Saber-Khiabani recognized the school’s urgent needs and sent Monacella a list of contractors that have worked with Con Edison projects previously. “Tara guided us through the entire process,” Monacella said. “For someone like me, who had never managed an infrastructure project before, her expertise was invaluable. She answered any questions I had about contractors, helped us understand our options, and was able to access significant funding that made these upgrades possible.”

The Lorge School resides in a 100+-year-old building.

Rather than simply replacing the oil-burning boiler with another $150,000 system that would perpetuate their energy inefficiency, Con Edison helped the school think bigger. Through substantial incentives tied to energy savings, they were able to install a state-of-the-art electric heat pump system for heating and cooling, completely eliminating their dependence on oil. They also upgraded to advanced LED lighting throughout the building.

The results were dramatic. The school’s annual energy costs dropped by about $40,000. While electricity usage increased slightly with the new heat pump system, the elimination of oil consumption more than offset this change. More importantly, the school now had reliable, efficient systems they could count on.

“The difference is night and day,” Monacella said. “Teachers can actually see properly in their classrooms. The heating and cooling is consistent and reliable. We’re no longer at the mercy of an ancient boiler that could fail at any time. Con Edison didn’t just help us survive – they helped us modernize.”

The Lorge School earned credits for the upgrade.

The project exemplifies Con Edison’s broader commitment to helping New York City transition to clean energy while maintaining its industry-leading reliability. Through their small business and nonprofit program, they complete over 2,000 similar projects annually, with incentives scaled to reward greater energy savings.

“This is exactly the kind of win-win outcome we strive for,” Tara Saber-Khiabani said. “The Lorge School can now operate more reliably and efficiently while serving their vital community mission. At the same time, we’ve helped reduce carbon emissions and advance clean energy adoption in New York City.”

The project’s success has inspired the school to think even bigger about sustainability. They’re now exploring solar panel installation to further reduce their electricity costs and environmental impact.

“What Con Edison helped us achieve goes beyond just fixing problems,” Monacella said. “They’ve helped us become more responsible energy consumers while improving our ability to serve some of New York’s most vulnerable students. That’s what I call true community partnership.”

The Lorge School attends to students with special needs.

The Lorge School transformation demonstrates how Con Edison’s commitment to reliability extends beyond just keeping the lights on. By helping essential community institutions upgrade their infrastructure, they’re ensuring these organizations can continue their vital missions while contributing to a cleaner, more sustainable New York City.

For Tara and the Con Edison team, it’s all part of a larger vision. “Every project like this brings us closer to our clean energy goals while strengthening the fabric of our communities,” she said.

For more information about Con Edison and their energy efficiency programs and incentives, click here.