Energy Sense is a program comprised of different energy saving ideas, rebates and incentives designed for you, the member, because together we can make a difference.
Compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL) rebates
Energy Star® appliance rebates
Central air conditioner rebates
Air source heat pump rebates
Ground source heat pump rebates
Energy Star® home
Home performance testing
Renewable wind & solar incentives
Custom rebates
Retrofit lighting incentives
The Energy Sense rebate program was approved by the board as an incentive to help members conserve energy, preserve our environment and lower energy bills.
CFL and Energy Star® Appliance Rebates
Compact fluorescent light bulbs $2 per bulb with a limit of 10
Dehumidifier $25 limit of 1
Room air conditioner $25 limit of 1
Refrigerator $25 limit of 1
Freezer $25 limit of 1
Clothes washer $50 limit of 1
All appliances must be Energy Star® qualified. Please fill out the rebate form and mail to Polk-Burnett.
For CFLs, include the dated sales receipt for 2008, the Energy Star® logo off the package and the UPC code off the package. If you purchased a multipack (4pk) and the receipt does not indicate 4pk, include something off the package indicating how many bulbs are in the package to receive the proper credit.
For qualified Energy Star® appliances, make sure to include the dated sales receipt for 2008 and the yellow energy guide off the appliance.
These rebates will be in the form of a one-time credit on your electric account and are limited as indicated above for each account/location.
Look for these labels when purchasing lighting and appliances.
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Central A/C and Heat Pump Rebates
All central air conditioners and air source heat pumps are required to be controlled to receive the rebate, but are not allowed to be on the off peak rate.
Central air conditioners $60/ton 14 SEER or greater required
Air source heat pumps $60/ton
Commercial air conditioners $40/ton 10 EER or greater required
Ground water heat pumps are to be controlled and are allowed on the off peak rate if the system has a fossil fuel backup system.
Ground source heat pumps $140/ton
Summer controlling of A/C and heat pump units is a process of cycling the unit every 15 minutes during the hottest days of the year, typically during the evening hours, but can occur any time of the day.
Please fill out the A/C – heat pump rebate form and include the necessary paperwork. Once the unit is controlled we will issue you a one-time rebate in the form of a check. (return to top)
Energy Star Home Rebate
Energy Star® Home: a process of building where an Energy Star® certified rater inspects and advises throughout the entire home building process from start to finish. A couple of builders in the area build Energy Star® certified homes. If your builder does not, there are a few certified raters in the area which you can hire to work with your builder.
Energy Star® Home $250 (Limit 1)
Must hire an Energy Star® home rater prior to the start of construction.
Must submit a copy of the final Energy Star® certificate rating at the completion of the project.
Please complete the rebate form and send in with the necessary documentation.
Rebate will be in the form of a credit to your electric account. (return to top)
Home Performance Testing
Are your heating costs too high?
Do you have comfort issues? Cold spots, drafts, etc.
Remodeling soon?
Then you may want to have a home performance test done.
The cost of home performance testing is approximately $300 and Polk-Burnett will issue you a credit for $100 of this cost. Tests are performed by a certified home energy rater. They will perform a blower door test and infrared scanning to indicate where there is heat loss. The consultant will address any questions you may have. During the process the consultant will also point out areas of concerns that were found and make some suggestions on possible improvements.
Upon completion of this test, you will have better ideas of where to make the most cost effective energy saving changes in your home. Click here to begin the process. (return to top)
Renewable Energy – Wind and Solar
Renewable energy site assessment incentive – up to $250
Polk-Burnett will pay 60 percent toward the cost of your renewable energy site assessment, up to $250. The site assessment must be performed by a site assessor certified by the Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA) and completed between January 1, 2008, and December 31, 2008. Rebates are limited.
Renewable Energy Grant – up to $3,000
Polk-Burnett is offering a grant of 20 percent toward the cost of your renewable energy project, up to $3,000. This grant is available to members installing renewable generation via qualified solar PV or wind turbines. Energy Sense grants will be awarded to completed renewable energy projects on a first-come, first-serve basis. Grants are limited.
Renewable energy: Site assessment and grant application form
For more detailed information regarding cogeneration and renewable energy requirements please refer to renewable energy. (return to top)
Custom Incentives
Energy Efficient Equipment and/or Efficiency Upgrades
Agricultural, commercial and industrial consumers that install certain types of energy saving equipment, incorporate energy efficiency measures and/or retrofit lighting systems may qualify for a customized incentive(s) based on their efficiency, operating characteristics and ability to reduce on-peak energy and demand. Examples of technologies that may be eligible for these incentives include:
- Variable frequency pump drives
- Compressed air upgrades
- Building energy management control systems
- Improvements to the envelope of electrically heated buildings
- Dairy plate coolers, and scroll refrigeration compressors
- Energy efficient ventilation fans and livestock waterers
This is not an all inclusive list. Any energy saving technologies will be considered.
Application should be made in writing describing what energy saving products and/or processes are use to obtain the efficiency gains, their hours of operation, coincidence with Dariyland causation and transmission peaks, estimated savings and the cost for incorporating the efficiency measure(s). Incentives are capped at no more than 10 percent of the cost of the equipment not to exceed $2,500 per consumer-member per year. Incentive will be in the form of a check. (return to top)
Energy Efficient Retrofit Lighting Incentive
Incentives offered to members who wish to improve the efficiency of existing, retrofit only, lighting systems. Three types of energy efficient lighting systems qualify for incentives. Ballasts and fixtures must be hard-wired to qualify. Any combination of five ballasts or fixtures is required as a minimum.
Electronically ballasted fluorescent fixtures $6.50 per ballast
Metal halide fixtures $10 per fixture
Sodium vapor Fixtures $10 per fixture
IMPORTANT: Must be retrofit. Must be hard-wired. Submit a hard copy of the members receipt indicating quantities of ballasts and fixtures installed. This is required to receive the incentive. Incentive will be in the form of a check. (return to top)