Searching for energy efficiency programs?

Small businesses are often looking for ways to save money on energy. The Watertown Industrial Center Local Development Corp. is considering one program that covers a large portion of energy-efficiency improvements to replace lights in the four-building complex.

National Grid’s Small Business Program gives a free energy audit with a list of cost-saving measures. And the utility will cover up to 70 percent of the installation cost of the measures, including lighting upgrades, occupancy sensors and walk-in cooler measures. Small businesses can finance their share, interest-free.

National Grid’s share is determined by the proportion of the savings expected from the changes. Several at the center are receiving the full 70 percent contribution from the utility. For seven of the 11 tenants expected to participate in the lighting upgrades at the center, the payback on the improvements will be a year or less, site manager William J. Soluri said Tuesday. The others will have paybacks within four years.

There's also a companion program from the utility that covers up to 50 percent for large businesses.