Post Author's Photographer By Kristin Eggen July 19, 2018

Joel Zook, Energy PlannerSome 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.

 

Person with short hair and glasses smiles in front of a sign that reads “INNESHEK ENERGY PROJECT” with a building silhouette and sunburst in the background.

Kristin Eggen

Kristin Eggen first came to the Winneshiek Energy District as a Green Iowa AmeriCorps member in 2015. Eight years later, she is thrilled to lead the grassroots clean energy movement in Winneshiek County. Kristin deeply appreciates rural communities, Northeast Iowa, community sustainability, and nonprofit management. She uses The Art of Hosting Conversations that Matter methodology and graphic recording services to drive strategic conversations around community sustainability, justice, fundraising, and nonprofit health.

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