Energy Efficiency

The Commercial Solutions Program is designed to help participants identify energy efficiency opportunities in existing and newly planned facilities and to provide monetary incentives to implement the projects. The program is funded by Entergy Texas and is being offered at no cost to participants. Commercial Solutions is a voluntary program that offers objective, third party consulting on best practices in the areas of energy usage and energy efficiency. It is important to note that no products or services are sold through the Commercial Solutions Program. The cash incentive is $175/kW plus $0.02/kWh for projects which reduce peak demand. Other services potentially offered through this program are energy performance benchmarking, energy master planning workshops, technical assistance and communications support. Please contact Entergy or a program representative for other details and guidelines.

The SCORE and CitySmart Programs are designed to provide monetary incentives to implement government energy efficiency projects. The government programs offers objective, third party consulting on best practices in the areas of energy usage and energy efficiency. No products or services are sold through the SCORE or CitySmart Program. The cash incentive is $200/kW for projects which reduce peak demand. Other services potentially offered through this program are energy performance benchmarking, energy master planning workshops, technical assistance and communications support. 

Commercial and industrial members who upgrade to energy-efficient light bulbs which meet EnergyUnited's standards are eligible for a prescriptive, "per unit" rebate. The cooperative will provide a rebate of $0.30 for each watt saved by the lighting upgrade. Fixtures which have had older bulbs replaced by highly efficient ones are eligible for the rebate. The new light bulbs must have a manufacturer's rated life of 36,000 hours or greater to qualify and must be installed in a professional manner. Rebate criteria are subject only to EnergyUnited standards. 

Connecticut's original electric-industry restructuring legislation (Public Act 98-28), enacted in April 1998, created separate funds to support energy efficiency and renewable energy.* The efficiency fund is known as the Energy Efficiency Fund, and the renewables fund is known as the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund (CCEF). The mission of the Energy Efficiency Fund is to advance the efficient use of energy, to reduce air pollution and negative environmental impacts, and to promote economic development and energy security.

The Energy Efficiency Fund is funded by a surcharge of $0.003 per kilowatt-hour (3 mills per kWh) on Connecticut Light and Power (CL&P) and United Illuminating (UI) customers' electric bills. Each of the two utilities administers and implements efficiency programs following the comprehensive plan approved by the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA). The utilities develop their plans with advice and assistance from the state's Energy Conservation Management Board (ECMB). Additional sources of funding for the Energy Efficiency Fund include the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), the Forward Capacity Market (FCM), and Class III Renewable Credits,**

The utilities are authorized to implement the following types of programs: (1) Conservation and load-management programs, including programs that benefit low-income individuals; (2) research, development and commercialization of products or processes which are more energy-efficient than those generally available; (3) development of markets for such products and processes; (4) support for energy-use assessment, real-time monitoring systems, engineering studies and services related to new construction or major building renovation; (5) the design, manufacture, commercialization and purchase of energy-efficient appliances and heating, air conditioning and lighting devices; (6) program planning and evaluation; (7) indoor air-quality programs relating to energy conservation; (8) joint fuel-conservation initiatives programs targeted at reducing consumption of more than one fuel resource; and (9) public education. A limited percentage of the fund may be used for non-electric projects, such as furnaces and boilers for low-income residents. Preference is given to projects that maximize the reduction of federally mandated congestion charges. For details on Energy Efficiency Fund programs, savings and expenditures, see the fund's most recent annual report for 2013.

Connecticut's municipal electric utilities are not covered by the Energy Efficiency Fund, but they are required to establish a fund to provide renewable energy, energy efficiency, conservation and load-management programs (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 7-233y). A surcharge is imposed on the customers of electric municipal utilities according to the following schedule: 1.0 mill on and after January 1, 2006; 1.3 mills on and after January 1, 2007; 1.6 mills on and after January 1, 2008; 1.9 mills on and after January 1, 2009; 2.2 mills on and after January 1, 2010; and 2.5 mills on and after January 1, 2011. Municipal electric utilities must adopt a comprehensive plan for the expenditure of the monies collected, and the plans must be consistent with the comprehensive plan of the ECMB.

Furthermore, companies that distribute natural gas must develop a gas-conservation plan, with assistance from the ECMB, and programs to implement the plan. These plans are financed by a flat amount negotiated with and ordered by the PURA.

* Connecticut's restructuring legislation also created a systems benefits charge to fund public education, weatherization and conservation measures for low-income residents, storage and disposal costs for spent nuclear fuel, and post-retirement costs for decommissioned nuclear reactors.

Empire District Electric Company offers rebates to certain commercial and industrial customers for the installation of energy efficiency equipment. Prescriptive rebates for lighting, air conditioners, and motors are available for customers using CB and SH tariffs (commercial facilities with a demand of less than 40 kW). Custom rebates are available for customers on CB, SH, GP, PFM, and TEB rate schedules. If a small commercial customer applies for a customer rebate, the application will be evaluated to see if it can be accommodated under the prescriptive rebate formulas. Custom rebates will only be approved if there is a demonstrated cost-effective energy and/or demand reduction potential. 

Prescriptive rebate levels vary dramatically according to measure, size, and efficiency. Measures that are not eligible for prescriptive rebates may be eligible as custom measures. Custom rebates are calculated as the lesser of three values: equivalent payback of 2 years; 50% of the incremental cost of the equipment; or 50% of the avoided life cycle demand and energy costs. All custom rebates must be pre-approved by the utility and are also subject to post-installation verification. Custom equipment must generally be UL-listed, or have an equivalent independent certification as determined by the utility. 

Rebates will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis. Interested parties should contact the utility for additional information and application details.

The Empire District Electric Company offers a Commercial/Industrial Prescriptive Rebate Program to its non-residential customers in Arkansas who purchase certain high-efficiency equipment for eligible facilities. A variety of prescriptive rebates are available to all electric customers served under any non-residential rate schedule in the Empire service territory. The rebates, which can be applied to both new construction and retrofit projects, are offered for high-efficiency lighting, air conditioning systems, heat pumps, chillers, motors and variable frequency drives. All equipment must meet certain energy efficiency standards listed on the program web site. Customers can also apply for custom rebates that fit the exact needs of a facility. Interested customers should fill out the prescriptive rebate application and worksheets located on the program web site to view all rebate levels. The amount to be rebated cannot exceed $20,000 during the first 9 months of the program year. Additional rebate funds may be available during the final 3 months if projects merit a larger incentive. Applications must be pre-approved by Empire electric before equipment is purchased and installed.

The El Paso Electric (EPE) Commercial Efficiency Program pays incentives to commercial and industrial customers who install energy efficiency measures in facilities located within EPE's New Mexico service territory. Eligible equipment includes central air conditioners, chillers, heat pumps, variable frequency drives, window treatments, lighting equipment and custom measures. Large facilities may also develop and implement energy efficiency plans separate from these rebate offerings. Customers should contact the utility for details on this option. 

Equipment must meet minimum eligibility criteria and comply with all program rules and procedures. Depending on the technology, customers may need to contact a participating contractor who can recommend specific measures and provide cost estimates. After the installation of the equipment, customers must submit applications along with a copy of a receipt or invoice for the project. Applications may also require information about the capacity, efficiency, and type of equipment installed. Rebate checks will typically be mailed 4 - 6 weeks after final approval. 

Duquesne Light provides rebates on energy-saving equipment to commercial and industrial customers in the eligible service territory. There are 2 types of rebate programs available to all C&I customers. One is the rebate catalog listing specific equipment and its rebate amount. After purchasing and installing the equipment, the customer submits the necessary paperwork, and the rebate is paid to the customer by check. The second program is the customized rebate program where C&I customers are encouraged to undertake energy efficiency projects customized to facilities that include items not found in the rebate catalog. Rebates for the projects will be based on kWh's saved in a year. Customers will provide details of the planned installations and removals, hours of operation, etc. Customers will be informed of the rebate amount before they start the project. Rebate checks for customized projects will be issued after installation is complete. Duquesne Light has partnered with conservation service providers to work with specific segments of customers. These conservation service providers can assist customers with energy audits, project identification, cost and savings calculations, equipment specification, project management and rebate paperwork. 

Duke Energy’s Smart $aver Incentive program offers rebates to non-residential customers to install energy efficient equipment in their facilities. All Duke Energy South Carolina nonresidential electric customers are eligible, except those that have elected to opt out of the Energy Efficiency Rider. Rebates are available for a wide range of equipment including lighting, heating and cooling equipment, chillers and thermal storage units, motors, pumps, VFDs, process equipment, and food service equipment. All equipment must meet certain energy efficiency standards stated on the program web site. To receive the rebates, customers should submit a completed application within 90 days after the equipment is installed and operational. 

Custom applications for up to 50% of cost on any electricity saving device can be sent to CustomIncentives@duke-energy.com. Three levels of energy assessments are available for commercial customers: online, over the phone, and on-site visits by an energy professional providing a report with paybacks. The on-site visits require a fee which can be recouped within the Smart $aver Incentives program; to begin, customers can contact businessservicecenter@duke-energy.com. Demand response programs are also available, providing rewards and load curtailment via a dedicated web portal for each commercial customer.

Duke Energy’s Smart $aver Incentive program offers rebates to non-residential customers to install energy efficient equipment in their facilities. All Duke Energy North Carolina nonresidential electric customers are eligible, except those that have elected to opt out of the Energy Efficiency Rider. Rebates are available for a wide range of equipment including lighting, heating and cooling equipment, chillers and thermal storage units, motors, pumps, VFDs, process equipment, and food service equipment. All equipment must meet certain energy efficiency standards stated on the program web site. To receive the rebates, customers should submit a completed application within 90 days after the equipment is installed and operational.

Custom applications for up to 50% of cost on any electricity saving device can be sent to CustomIncentives@duke-energy.com. Three levels of energy assessments are available for commercial customers: online, over the phone, and on-site visits by an energy professional providing a report with paybacks. The on-site visits require a fee which can be recouped within the Smart $aver Incentives program; to begin, customers can contact businessservicecenter@duke-energy.com. Demand response programs are also available, providing rewards and load curtailment via a dedicated web portal for each commercial customer.

Due to new federal standards, Duke Enegry Ohio will cease to offer incentives for most standard T8s and all T5 fixtures replacing T12 fixtures. Contact Duke Energy Ohio for additional eligiblilty details for T5 and T8 Fixtures.

Duke Energy’s Smart $aver Incentive program offers rebates to non-residential customers to install energy efficient equipment in commercial/industrial facilities. All Duke Energy Ohio nonresidential electric customers are eligible, except those that have elected to opt out of the Energy Efficiency Rider. Rebates are available for a wide range of equipment including lighting, heating and cooling equipment, chillers and thermal storage units, pumps, VFDs, process equipment, and food service equipment. All equipment must meet certain energy efficiency standards defined on the program applications. To receive the rebates, customers should submit a completed application within 90 days after the equipment is installed and operational. 

Custom applications for up to 50% of cost on any electricity saving device can be sent to CustomIncentives@duke-energy.com. Three levels of energy assessments are available for commercial customers: online, over the phone, and on-site visits by an energy professional providing a report with paybacks. The on-site visits require a fee which can be recouped within the Smart $aver Incentives program; to begin, customers can contact businessservicecenter@duke-energy.com.  For customers who could not receive Smart $aver rebates for projects administered in the past 3 years, the Mercantile Self Direct Rebates are available.  Demand response programs are also available, providing rewards and load curtailment via a dedicated web portal for each commercial customer.