2018 ILLINOIS ENERGY EFFICIENCY REBATE INFORMATION FOR YOUR HOME

Transcription

1 2018 ILLINOIS ENERGY EFFICIENCY REBATE INFORMATION FOR YOUR HOME

2 SAVE ENERGY AND MONEY Whether you live in an older home or you re building a new one, MidAmerican Energy Company offers many EnergyAdvantage programs to help you save money, add comfort to your home and conserve energy. Through our programs, you can save money now and continue to save on your energy bills for years to come. This booklet gives you information needed to qualify for MidAmerican Energy s rebate and incentive programs. These programs can provide real savings through the use of high-efficiency equipment, along with low- and no-cost energy-saving ideas. Plus, the Trade Ally Partner Search Tool connects you with our Trade Ally Partners. These are dealers, contractors, suppliers and design professionals who can help you with your energy efficiency projects. Their program knowledge is a valuable resource to help you take advantage of MidAmerican Energy s money-saving rebates. Occasionally things change. So, for the most up-to-date information about the energy efficiency incentives and qualifications, visit Join the thousands of Illinois customers already enjoying the advantages of being more energy efficient and saving some green!

3 PROGRAMS AND INFORMATION HomeCheck Insulation Appliance Recycling Lighting Heating, Cooling and Water Heating SummerSaver SM Trade Ally Partners Additional Services Tips to Save Money and Energy General Qualifications and Conditions How to qualify and apply for rebates Many of MidAmerican Energy s EnergyAdvantage programs feature rebates that help to defray the often higher cost of energy-efficient equipment and materials. To apply for and receive one of these rebates after the installation of your new purchase has been completed, send in the appropriate MidAmerican Energy rebate application with a copy of your sales receipt or itemized invoice. Some products and services may require additional documentation, such as a yellow EnergyGuide label. These additional requirements are noted on each rebate application. Participants must be residential customers located in MidAmerican Energy s Illinois service territory. Rebate applications for products and services that typically are completed by an equipment dealer/installer can be obtained directly from that place of business. All rebate applications (with the exception of insulation applications, which are provided during a HomeCheck assessment) are available online at You also can call our rebate processing center at from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday, to have applications sent to you. For the most up-to-date information about energy efficiency incentives and qualifications, visit Get your rebate faster Follow these steps before mailing your rebate application. Accurate and complete rebate forms mean your rebate will arrive sooner. n Complete all required information on the rebate application and include supporting documentation when applicable. n Sign and date the Customer Agreement section. n Include the EnergyGuide label for equipment, if applicable. n Include a copy of the itemized sales receipt. n Circle rebate-eligible items on the receipt. n Retain a copy of the rebate application and receipts for your records. n If you have questions about a rebate application, contact your dealer or call Send all applications and required documentation to MidAmerican Energy in the most convenient way for you. Please allow 4-6 weeks for rebate processing. Mail: MidAmerican Energy Company P.O. Box 4628 Des Moines, IA Fax: rebateapplications@midamerican.com 1

4 HOMECHECK On-site assessments Save money and energy, and add comfort to your home with a free HomeCheck energy assessment from MidAmerican Energy. Our energy expert will analyze various features of your home, including: QUALIFICATIONS See general qualifications on Pages Note: For on-site assessments, MidAmerican Energy must provide the primary heating fuel to your home. HomeCheck on-site energy assessment must be completed by Oct. 1, Program-specific qualifications n Homes must be built before Jan. 1, n Renters: You must have your landlord s approval, and the landlord should be present at the time of the assessment. n Landlords: Call to confirm the appropriate assessment program for your building. If you recently moved into a home that is eligible for a HomeCheck, call to schedule an on-site HomeCheck assessment. If you ve had a HomeCheck, call to learn what to do next. To be eligible for insulation rebates, an on-site HomeCheck assessment must be completed before installation. Any improvements made prior to the assessment are ineligible for rebates. How do I schedule a HomeCheck? Call weekdays, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. n Building construction n Building air leaks n Heating and cooling systems n Kitchen appliances n Laundry appliances n Lighting n Water heating equipment n Windows and doors n Insulation levels If applicable, the energy expert may install the following energy-saving items at no cost: n Programmable thermostat n Faucet aerators n Energy-efficient showerhead n Smart power strip n ENERGY STAR certified LEDs n Pipe insulation Do more and receive more! Receive a bonus payment of $200 when you upgrade any three of the following qualifying recommended items by Nov. 30, 2018, after your on-site energy assessment: n Air conditioner n Natural gas furnace n Heat pump n Heat pump water heater n Insulation You must apply for and receive a rebate from MidAmerican Energy for three qualifying measures prior to applying for or receiving the bonus rebate. Upgrades must be installed and rebate applications submitted by Nov. 30, 2018, to be eligible for the bonus payment. One of the best energy efficiency improvements you can make is adding insulation. During your HomeCheck assessment, our energy expert will examine your home s existing insulation level. Online assessments The online home energy assessment tool provides an overview of your energy use and energy-saving ideas right at your fingertips. Log in to your MidAmerican Energy account and click the Home Energy Assessment link to learn more. Personalize your online home energy assessment by updating your profile for a more customized experience. For the most up-to-date information about energy efficiency incentives and qualifications, visit 2

5 INSULATION Insulation is one of the keys to a comfortable, energy-efficient home. The greatest energy savings often come from ensuring a home has adequate attic insulation levels. Insulating the envelope or shell of your home its outer walls, ceilings, windows, doors and floors often is an effective way to improve energy efficiency and comfort. A knowledgeable homeowner or skilled contractor can seal and insulate your home so you can save up to 20 percent on heating and cooling costs (or up to 10 percent on total annual energy bills). MidAmerican Energy can help you achieve these results through rebates. Note: An on-site HomeCheck assessment must be completed by Oct. 1, 2018, and before insulation projects begin to qualify for rebates. The assessor will determine the not-to-exceed rebate level during the HomeCheck assessment. All insulation projects must be completed and rebate applications postmarked by Dec. 31, Insulation MUST HAVE LESS THAN RECOMMENDED LEVEL REBATE Attic R-25 R-49 50% of total cost up to $1,000 To be eligible for a foundation/crawlspace, wall/kneewall and rim/band joist insulation rebate, there can be no pre-existing insulation in the area. If recommended insulation levels cannot be achieved, a rebate will not apply. Foundation/ Crawlspace R-1 R-10/R-11 50% of total cost up to $1,000 nr-19 fiberglass batt insulation recommended for floor above crawlspace. n If home has foundation and crawlspace insulation recommended, the crawlspace and foundation rebates are considered as one project. Wall/Kneewall R-1 R-10/R-13 50% of total cost up to $1,000 n If home has sidewall and kneewall insulation recommended, the sidewall and kneewall rebates are considered as one project. Rim/Band Joist R-1 R-15/R-19 50% of total cost up to $0.70 per linear foot How do I apply for a rebate? Professionally installed equipment and materials: Have your Trade Ally Partner or contractor send a completed rebate application and itemized invoice to MidAmerican Energy. Self-installed equipment and materials: Complete the appropriate rebate application, attach a copy of the itemized, dated receipt(s) and send to MidAmerican Energy. You may not charge labor for self-installations. See general qualifications on Pages and refer to the equipment application for all rebate requirements. Insulation applications are provided at the completion of the on-site HomeCheck assessment. If you need another copy, call from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday. 3

6 APPLIANCE RECYCLING Do you have an older refrigerator or freezer in your basement or garage? Keeping a spare refrigerator or freezer running can add more than $100 per year to your electric bill. If you re an Illinois MidAmerican Energy electric customer who has a working refrigerator, freezer or room air conditioner you would like to recycle, give us a call. We ll send a recycling contractor to provide free pick-up and recycling (according to environmentally friendly standards) of your old working appliance, and even give you a rebate. Appliance Refrigerator 10 cubic feet or larger, no commercial sizes Freezer 10 cubic feet or larger, no commercial sizes REBATE $50 $50 Room Air Conditioner $25 ü At the time of your appliance pick-up you will receive an energy-saving kit üthat includes energy efficiency tips and additional information. QUALIFICATIONS See general qualifications on Pages Program-specific qualifications n Refrigerators and freezers must be 10 cubic feet or larger, no commercial sizes. n Units must be working to qualify for a rebate (unit must operate and cool). n A maximum of two appliances in each category at each home per year may be recycled through this program. n Multifamily housing or institutional customers may participate subject to pick-up coordination. (Maximum number of appliances does not apply.) RAD (Responsible Appliance Disposal) is a voluntary partnership program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to help protect the Earth s ozone layer and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. RAD program partners, like MidAmerican Energy, recover ozone-depleting chemicals from old refrigerators, freezers and window air conditioners. How do I schedule a pick-up? Call weekdays, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. 4

7 LIGHTING Be Bright You can save energy and help the environment with a simple twist of the wrist. Lighting, which accounts for 12 percent of the average home s electric bill, is one of the easiest and most effective places to start saving. Just one ENERGY STAR certified bulb can save you up to $80 in energy costs over its lifetime. ENERGY STAR LEDs use at least 75 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs and last 10 to 25 times longer. Making the switch to more energy-efficient lighting is simple. MidAmerican Energy works with many retail and manufacturing partners to provide discounted pricing on select ENERGY STAR certified LEDs and LED trim kits. There is no need to complete a rebate form; the discounted pricing is instant, allowing you to receive the lower prices at the cash register. Just look for the Be Bright signage at any participating retail location to begin saving. Qualified customers may purchase up to 12 discounted bulbs. You can find discounted bulbs at these types of retailers: n Home improvement (e.g., Menards, The Home Depot, Lowes) n Mass merchant (e.g., Walmart) n Warehouse club (e.g., Sam s Club) n Hardware (e.g., Ace Hardware, True Value) n Deep discounter (e.g., Dollar General, Dollar Tree) n Grocery/drug (e.g., Hy-Vee, Fareway) n Specialty (e.g., Batteries+Bulbs) n Lighting distributors For a list of participating retailers, visit or call Review our lighting fact sheet at For more information on proper disposal of CFLs, visit QUALIFICATIONS See general qualifications on Pages Program-specific qualifications n Program lamps are not eligible for additional rebates in other MidAmerican Energy programs. MidAmerican Energy offers this program in conjunction with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency s ENERGY STAR program. For the most up-to-date information about energy efficiency incentives and qualifications, visit 5

8 HEATING, COOLING AND WATER HEATING Making smart decisions about your home s heating, cooling and water heating systems can have a big effect on your utility bills and your comfort. Approximately half of the energy used in your home goes to heating and cooling. System Adjustment and Verified Efficiency (SAVE) certification assures you purchase the most appropriate, energy-efficient system for your home, and that it s installed correctly for optimum savings and comfort. To receive eligible rebates on new HVAC equipment, MidAmerican Energy requires that an HVAC SAVE certified contractor tests and verifies your equipment. To find a SAVE certified contractor in your area, visit Available Equipment Equipment must be installed with a SAVE rating of excellent to be eligible for a rebate, with the exception of furnace fans, room air conditioners, programmable thermostats and heat pump water heaters. This rating means the SAVE certified contractor took extra time to optimize the operation of the unit. SAVE testing for air conditioner units may not be conducted below 65 F or manufacturers recommendation, whichever is greater. EQUIPMENT QUALIFYING EFFICIENCY REBATE QUALIFICATIONS QUALIFICATIONS See general qualifications on Pages and refer to the equipment application for all rebate requirements. Program-specific qualifications n In order to receive an HVAC equipment rebate, the equipment must be pre-enrolled and tested by an HVAC SAVE certified technician unless otherwise noted. This includes equipment placed in multifamily residential units. Natural Gas Furnace Furnace Fan Central Air Conditioner Ductless Minisplit Air Conditioner Room Air Conditioner Programmable Thermostat AFUE 95 and above $300/unit Must be SAVE certified, AHRI Certified and < 225 MBtuh CEE air handling ratio < 0.02 SEER SEER SEER 17 and above SEER SEER SEER 17 and above $50/unit $50/ton $100/ton $300/ton $50/ton $100/ton $300/ton ENERGY STAR $35 MidAmerican Energy residential electric customers; fan must be installed on new qualifying furnace with AFUE 95 or above; < 225 MBtuh; AHRI Certified Must be SAVE certified; < 65 MBtuh; AHRI Certified (coil and condenser must match) < 65 MBtuh; AHRI Certified $25 Two or more set-backs; Wi-Fi and smart thermostats qualify. MidAmerican Energy must provide the primary fuel to home. 6

9 EQUIPMENT QUALIFYING EFFICIENCY REBATE QUALIFICATIONS Heat Pump Water Heater EF 2.4 and above or UEF 2.0 $300 ENERGY STAR; < 55 gallons; MidAmerican Energy residential electric-only customers with no access to natural gas from any provider Air-Source Heat Pump SEER SEER SEER 17 and above $150/ton $200/ton $350/ton Must be SAVE certified < 65 MBtuh; AHRI Certified (coil and condenser must match) nprovide furnace information if the furnace increases efficiency of heat pump. Ductless Minisplit Air-Source Heat Pump Ground-Source Heat Pump SEER SEER SEER 17 and above EER EER EER 23 and above AND/OR COP COP COP 5 and above $150/ton $200/ton $350/ton $1,200 $1,800 $2,400 $200 $400 $600 < 65 MBtuh; AHRI Certified Must be SAVE certified and meet either qualifying efficiency level < 135 MBtuh; AHRI or ENERGY STAR certified Glossary AFUE Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency: Ratio of annual heat output of the furnace or boiler compared to the total annual fossil fuel energy consumed by a furnace or boiler AHRI Air-Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute: Provides standardized testing and certification of HVAC equipment COP Coefficient of Performance: The ratio of the change in heat at the output, the heat reservoir of interest, to the supplied work CEE Consortium for Energy Efficiency EER Energy Efficiency Rating: The ratio of the cooling capacity (in British thermal units [Btu] per hour) to power input in watts EF Energy Factor: Indicates a water heater s overall energy efficiency based on the amount of hot water produced per unit of fuel consumed over a typical day UEF Uniform Energy Factor: New energy efficiency rating for water heaters to replace EF. Water heaters now will be assigned to a category, or bin, based on hot water usage. Their performance is evaluated based on that usage. A higher UEF means a water heater is more energy efficient and will cost less to operate, compared to other water heaters in the same bin. A water heater's UEF only can be compared to other water heaters within the same bin (e.g., a high bin water heater with UEF of 0.95 does not perform exactly the same as a low bin water heater with a UEF of 0.95). How do I apply for a rebate? Professionally installed equipment and materials: Have your Trade Ally Partner or contractor send a completed rebate application and invoice to MidAmerican Energy by Dec. 31, Self-installed equipment and materials: Complete the appropriate rebate application, attach a copy of the itemized, dated receipt and send to MidAmerican Energy by Dec. 31, For either professionally or self-installed equipment: n Include AHRI/ISO-Standard Specification Sheets n Include documentation of ground-source heat pump capacities in addition to ENERGY STAR listing Rebate applications for central air conditioners installed after Oct. 1, 2018, but not SAVE tested before Dec. 31, 2018, can be submitted up to Sept. 30, 2019, if pre-enrolled by Dec. 31, However, they will receive the 2019 rebate. For additional information, visit: n n SEER Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating: Indicates the relative amount of energy needed to provide a specific cooling output For the most up-to-date information about energy efficiency incentives and qualifications, visit 7

10 SM SUMMERSAVER Do your part to save energy by allowing us to control the operation of your home air conditioner compressor or air-source heat pump when the demand for electricity is the highest. SummerSaver is a voluntary program in which MidAmerican Energy installs a small cycling device on the outside of your home near the central air conditioning unit. This device is wired into your existing thermostat control circuit and acts as a switch allowing us to cycle your air conditioner compressor off and on during peak usage weekdays from June through September. SummerSaver Bill Credit ANNUAL BILL CREDIT Central Air Conditioner (Oct. or Nov. bill credit, first participation year) $40 Central Air Conditioner (Oct. or Nov. bill credit, subsequent years) $30 Air-Source Heat Pump (Oct. or Nov. bill credit, first participation year) $40 Air-Source Heat Pump (Oct. or Nov. bill credit, subsequent years) $30 QUALIFICATIONS See general qualifications on Pages Note: You must be a MidAmerican Energy Company residential electric customer to participate in the SummerSaver load control program. Program-specific qualifications n You must own your home to participate. n Room air conditioners and geothermal heat pumps do not qualify. n Participation is limited and is available on a first-come, first-served basis. When cycling: n Air conditioners are cycled between approximately 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. or for shorter periods between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., depending on actual need (but never on weekends or holidays). Due to randomized programming, start and end times may vary by up to 30 minutes. n During cycling periods, the cycling device does not control the indoor air conditioner blower fan, so previously cooled air continues to circulate throughout your home. n Notifications of SummerSaver cycling days are posted on MidAmerican Energy s website during cycling days. ü You will receive a bill credit whether cycling events are called or not. For ünonresidential Curtailment information, see the For Your Business booklet, Page 19. Questions about SummerSaver? Call weekdays 8 a.m.-5 p.m. or visit For the most up-to-date information about energy efficiency incentives and qualifications, visit 8

11 FIND A TRADE ALLY PARTNER Let us help Trade Ally Partners are dealers, contractors, suppliers and design professionals who can help you with your energy efficiency projects. Their program knowledge is a valuable resource to help you take advantage of MidAmerican Energy s rebate programs. Their experience with the program requirements makes applying for rebates fast and easy for you. Trade Ally Partners can: n Explain MidAmerican Energy s money-saving rebates n Share the benefits of upgrading to higher efficiency equipment Connect with a Trade Ally Partner by using the Trade Ally Partner Search Tool. This easy, online search tool can be found on our website at Find a Trade Ally Partner in your area and get started on your energy efficiency projects today. Is your business interested in becoming a Trade Ally Partner? MidAmerican Energy Company values the relationships we have with our trade allies. We provide resources to help you market and deliver energy-efficient products and services to our shared customers. Enjoy additional marketing and program-specific resources by participating in the EnergyAdvantage Trade Ally Network. To learn about enhanced resources, tools and benefits that Trade Ally Partners receive, call us at , visit or tradeallycentral@midamerican.com. For the most up-to-date information about energy efficiency incentives and qualifications, visit 9

12 ADDITIONAL SERVICES My Account Did you know you can handle your energy account needs on our website? Visit to set up an online account if you have not already done so. With My Account, it s easy to view and pay your bills and manage your account online anywhere, from any device. n Sign up for notifications and text alerts n Report an outage n View outage information n View and pay your bill n Start Budget Billing n Schedule recurring payment n Stop/transfer service n Add a landlord account and Text Alerts Recurring Payment Option Save time and a stamp by having your total amount due automatically deducted from your checking or savings account on the due date of your bill. Budget Billing Plan Throughout the year heating and cooling costs rise and fall and energy use varies making it difficult to manage your expenses. Ease the fluctuations in your monthly bill and enjoy the convenience of a more predictable bill with a Budget Billing Plan. Instead of paying your actual energy costs each month, pay an average amount with no unexpected surprises. The Budget Billing Plan is not a discount program and offers no savings or lower rates. Paperless Billing Save paper by signing up for paperless billing. Call with questions about the billing options above. Visit to update your communication preferences. You can sign up for text and alerts with your online My Account. If you don't have an online account, setting one up as a new user is quick and easy. My Preferences Visit to check out our My Preferences options. You can sign up for text and alerts with your online My Account. If you don t have an online account, setting one up as a new user is quick and easy. MidAmerican Energy Company s Home Energy Report Program MidAmerican Energy s Home Energy Report program is designed to help customers better assess their energy consumption and explore ways to reduce their energy use. The Home Energy Report program is offered to a randomly selected group of MidAmerican Energy s residential customers in Illinois. Selected customers receive customized home energy reports throughout the year. The report arrives via the U.S. Postal Service and separate from customers MidAmerican Energy utility bills. Customers also may opt to receive reports via rather than the mailed reports and can use the online portal any time they choose. Each report includes usage comparison and history, and energy efficiency tips. Customers who receive the reports can call with questions or to opt out of the program. Customers cannot opt in to the program. Low-Income Weatherization Program The Low-Income Weatherization program is available to low-income households in our Illinois service territory. The program is administered through Project NOW, Inc., our local community action agency. Further information on this program is available at For the most up-to-date information about energy efficiency incentives and qualifications, visit 10

13 ENERGY-SAVING TIPS GET IT ONLINE Complete an energy assessment at SEAL IT UP Use weather stripping and caulk to seal air leaks and block drafts. ROLL IT OUT Make sure your home and business have adequate insulation. SET IT SMART Keep your thermostat at 68 degrees in the winter and 78 degrees in the summer. BUY IT RIGHT Install ENERGY STAR lighting and appliances in your home and business. GET IT OUT Recycle old, inefficient refrigerators, freezers and window air conditioners. WRAP IT UP Put clear plastic sheets over the inside and outside of your windows. LET IT SHINE Keep window treatments open on sunny winter days and closed on hot summer days. KEEP IT CLEAR Make sure air vents aren t blocked by furniture, rugs or drapes. TURN IT OFF Unplug appliances and electronics when they re not in use to avoid phantom load. KEEP IT UP Have your heating system serviced once a year and change furnace filters regularly. For more energy-saving tips and information on rebates for your home and business, visit 11

14 QUALIFICATIONS AND CONDITIONS n Participants must be residential customers located in MidAmerican Energy Company s Illinois service territory. n MidAmerican Energy Company must provide the primary electricity or natural gas to the equipment for which the rebate is being paid. n Rebate amount cannot exceed installed cost. n Equipment must be new and installed on the premises. n An on-site HomeCheck assessment must be completed by Oct. 1, 2018, and before insulation projects can qualify for rebates. n Equipment must be purchased and installed between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, n Rebate applications must be postmarked by Dec. 31, 2018, to qualify for 2018 rebates. Rebate applications for equipment/materials purchased in 2018, postmarked after Dec. 31, 2018, will not be eligible for rebates. Rebate applications for central air conditioners installed after Oct. 1, 2018, but not SAVE tested before Dec. 31, 2018, can be submitted up to Sept. 30, 2019, if pre-enrolled by Dec. 31, However, they will receive the 2019 rebate. n Invoice/receipt must show manufacturer s name, model/serial number, efficiency rating and quantity of qualifying equipment purchased and installed. 12

15 n Allow 4-6 weeks for rebate processing. n MidAmerican Energy Company reserves the right to inspect and verify installation before or after issuing the rebate payment. n MidAmerican Energy Company does not guarantee that installation and operation of energy-efficient equipment will result in reduced usage or in cost savings. The manner in which a customer uses and maintains energy-efficient equipment affects potential cost savings. n MidAmerican Energy Company makes no warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to any equipment purchased or installed, including, but not limited to, any warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. n In no event shall MidAmerican Energy Company be held liable for any incidental or consequential damages or injuries resulting from defective equipment or installation. n Additional program-specific qualifications are shown on individual program pages and rebate applications. n These programs are effective Jan. 1, 2018, through Dec. 31, 2018, and are subject to periodic review by MidAmerican Energy Company, and MidAmerican Energy Company reserves the right to modify or end these programs at any time. 13

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