Cuivre River Electric | Rebate Programs

Rebate Update For 2012

Changes to the 2012 rebate program offered by Cuivre River Electric Cooperative's wholesale power supplier, Associated Electric Cooperative, were announced December 1.

Rebates for clothes washers and dishwashers will end June 1, 2012. Rebates for units purchased prior to June 1 will be honored through September 1.

Higher "Energy Star Plus 2" efficiency requirements for Ground Source and Dual Fuel Heat Pumps take effect January 1, 2012. Rebates will be honored through April 1 for units installed before December 31, 2011.

The new minimum efficiency standard for Ground Source Heat Pumps is 19.1 EER. The new minimum standard for Dual Fuel Heat Pumps is 16.5 SEER.

Water heater rebates are unchanged. For more information about rebates call 800.392.3709, ext. 272 or 399.

Rebates, Tax Credits Are Making A Difference

Cuivre River members' efforts for energy efficiency are making an impact on the demand for electricity, says Kevin Hurd, Manager of Member Services. Rebates and tax credits have nudged many families toward demand-reducing choices with lifetime benefits and energy savings.

"A lot of CFLs and rebates for select HVAC systems and appliances have contributed to the energy demand savings we see," says Hurd. Simple low-cost energy saving practices play a very important role as well, but are difficult to quantify.

The cooperative set a new summer peak demand of approximately 304 megawatts (MW) on July 21. Hurd says, "The peak could have been much higher considering the extreme temperatures and new industrial load added this summer."

Just how many rebates and CFLs are we talking about? Since Cuivre River's Take Control & Save rebate program began in mid-2008, more than 2,195 rebates totaling $1.5 million have helped members install high-efficiency, low-demand heating and cooling equipment and appliances. Demand savings from Ground Source and Dual Fuel Heat Pump installations range from 5-7 MW compared to standard efficiency electric heating options.

In addition, 50,000 low-wattage CFLs have been distributed, reducing energy demand by more than 70% wherever they are used to replace a 60-watt standard incandescent light bulb.

Rebates available now are shown below.

For more information about current or proposed rebates, call 800.392.3709, ext. 272 or 399.

Energy Saving Home Appliance Rebate Program

Rebates for select appliances can help you reduce installation costs and get a faster payback. If you replace these inefficient appliances in your home with new equipment that bears the Energy Star® seal, you'll help lighten the load on our electric grid.

*Appliances must be used in conjunction with an electric water heater.

$50 Rebate: Replace an existing electric water heater with an 90% + efficient standard electric water heater (tankless and Heat Pump/Hybrid units are not eligible).

Rebates for clothes washers and dishwashers will end June 1, 2012. Rebates for units purchased prior to June 1 will be honored through September 1.

$50 Rebate: If you have an electric water heater, replace your dishwasher with an Energy Star® model. This rebate is scheduled to end May 31, 2012.

Click here to view the Energy Star® Qualified Dishwashers.

$100 Rebate: If you have an electric water heater, replace an existing clothes washer with an Energy Star® model. This rebate is scheduled to end May 31, 2012.

Click here to view the Energy Star® Qualified Clothes Washers.

Click on the link below to open the Home Appliances Rebate Application.

Heat Pump Rebate Program

$750/Ton Ground Source Heat Pump
Qualifying new GSHPs are eligible for $750/Ton. Equipment must have a minimum 19.1 EER and meet other qualifications, including design conditions and insulation minimums. Replacement GSHPs may be eligible for $150/Ton.

$150/Ton Dual Fuel Heat Pump
Air Source Heat Pumps with supplemental gas or propane heat are eligible for $150/Ton. Equipment must have a minimum 16.5 SEER and meet other qualifications, including a cut-in point of 25° F.

Rebate Numbers

Since the current rebates became available in mid-2008, Cuivre River members have received more than $1,500,575.00 through the program. This includes 2,196 rebates for 876 Energy Star clothes washers, 505 Energy Star dishwashers, 267 high-efficiency electric water heaters, 194 dual-fuel heat pumps and 354 ground source heat pumps. In addition, many members received free compact fluorescent light bulbs to improve home lighting efficiency by about 75%.

Hurd indicates that peak load studies indicate the push for improved efficiency is making a difference, reducing Cuivre River's overall demand for energy.

Federal Tax Credits Continue Through 2016

Tax credits for big-ticket improvements, including ground source heat pumps and both solar and wind energy systems, have a 30% federal tax credit with no upper limit through December 31, 2016.

To obtain details visit www.energysavers.gov or the Internal Revenue Service website. Many items require a written documentation that the item qualifies for a tax credit. To apply for the efficiency credits, use Tax Form #5695.

*Consult with your tax advisor on tax credit limits and qualifications.

Source: Rural Missouri News Service

For more information on the ENERGY STAR Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency click on the link below.