NYC Program Gives Free Batteries to Cut AC Costs

A New York City startup called Every Electric is offering free batteries to households with window air conditioners. The batteries store cheap overnight electricity and power your AC during hot afternoons when electricity is expensive. This lets you stay comfortable and earn money—about $150 per air conditioner each year—by helping the grid avoid blackouts. The program is already in 1,000 homes.

Here's how it works: You get one or more batteries delivered, plug them into a wall outlet, and plug your AC into the battery. The battery automatically charges at night and discharges during peak hours. You don't have to do anything else. Every Electric manages the battery remotely and pays you through Con Edison's rewards program. The batteries are compact and can also charge phones and laptops.

The main catch is that you don't own the batteries unless you pay $650 each. Otherwise, you put down a $30 deposit per battery, which is refunded when you return them. This means you're dependent on the company's program. Also, the program is currently only in New York City, so not everyone can join yet.

This matters because it's a simple way to save money on energy bills and help the environment without sacrificing comfort. As heat waves become more common, programs like this could spread to other cities, giving more people a way to stay cool and get paid. It's a win-win for your wallet and the power grid.