Proposed Cuts to Energy Efficiency Program Will Affect Rebate Levels
Joel Zook, Energy Planner
Some Rebates Will Be Eliminated Completely
If you’ve considered making any upgrades to improve the energy efficiency of your home or business, you may want to act now while rebates still exist to help lower the cost.
SF2311 was passed this legislative year and mandates a dramatic cut in Alliant Energy and Black Hills Energy’s energy efficiency programs. Insulation, air sealing and other rebates are being eliminated, and many rebate amounts are being lowered dramatically. Additionally, both Black Hills and Alliant Energy are abandoning their in-person energy assessments for homes and small businesses. The changes are set to take place in 2019, so there’s still time for you to make upgrades now and apply for rebates at their current 2018 levels.
Black Hills Energy Proposed Changes:
- Eliminating the energy assessment for homes and businesses
- Discontinuing rebates for all insulation (except for crawlspace floors)
- Lowering rebates for furnaces and water heaters
- Discontinuing rebates for energy efficient boilers
- Discontinuing rebates for Energy Star clothes washers
- Discontinuing rebates for natural gas fireplace
- Eliminating the bonus rebate for early water heater replacement
- Eliminating rebate bundle bonus
Alliant Energy Proposed Changes:
- No in-person audits for homes or small businesses
- Discontinuing window AC recycling rebate
- Discontinuing rebate for Energy Star commercial kitchen equipment
- Lowering rebates for Central Air Conditioners, Air-Source Heat Pumps and Geothermal
We hope to have a fact sheet to share soon from the Iowa Environmental Council that lays out these changes in bit more detail. If you’d like to talk or learn more about the upcoming changes, please contact Joel Zook at joel@energydistrict.org or 563-380-7137.