BINGHAMTON, N.Y. -- It's hockey all day at the Chenango Ice Rink, and beneath the inch-thick skating surface owner Scott Soule's biggest investment is hard at work

"The old system was generating around $12-$13,000 a month in electric bills. Since we've done our NYSERDA package, we've cut it in half to around 6 grand a month." said Scott Soule, the rink's co-owner.

The system Soule's referring to is a glycol-based compressor that helps create year-round ice.

Soule bought the rink and its 30-year-old equipment in foreclosure for around $540,000 four years ago after the previous owner walked away with more than $90,000 in electric bills.

"We've seen a lot of rinks go out of business because they couldn't afford that NYSEG bill or their electric bill," Soule said.

After his bank urged a NYSERDA energy audit, Soule got a new auto shut off compressor and more efficient lights.

Both cut his bill dramatically and helped him stay afloat as the economy worsened.

"The economy did drop off pretty bad, and that scared us, but with that energy cost so low maybe that's why our profits aren't high, but we're keeping our heads above water," the 47-year-old former BCC hockey player added.

So little do these players know that the reason they're skating this Saturday is in part because of the energy efficient system that Scott and his family had installed.

"I doubt I would have made it at all, if we didn't bring the energy costs down."

Despite several offers, Soule's not looking to sell, though the 90 hour weeks are a bit draining.

His wife's given him two more years, and says the new equipment has made the rink a more attractive property.

"It makes the numbers look much better. And it looks more profitable, where if you didn't have this equipment, it would just break even," said Soule's wife Bobbi Jo.

With rebates and other incentives the rink can stay open year round and Soule says seven other arenas in the state have taken his cost-cutting lead.

Just another case of a little energy going a long way.

Even with twice the amount of visitors from last year, the rink still saves around $60,000 on energy costs.

They're currently working with NYSERDA to install a boiler and dehumidifier for even more savings.