Rebate Programs

Rebates for Energy Efficiency Projects

Make energy efficiency improvements, get a rebate and reduce your energy consumption

High Efficiency Air Conditioner and/or Heat Pump: $100 to $1600
Solar Water Heater: $400 to $800
(Solar) Photovoltaic System: $500 per kilowatt

Columbia Water and Light provides incentives for you to be energy efficient because it is good for our community. You can reduce your utility bills and help the environment. For the utility, lowering your demand means we purchase less wholesale energy power costs which helps your electric rates stay low.

Super Saver Loans: If you need help with financing your project, check out our low-interest loan program.

Air Conditioner – Heat Pump Rebate

Download the air conditioner rebate application in a .pdf file The application includes a checklist of items you will need to receive a rebate.

As much as half the energy used in your home can go to keeping it heated or cooled. If your cooling system is older than 10 years, you have frequent service problems and/or you see your utility bills going up, it is time to consider installing a new unit.

Upgrading to a higher SEER air conditioning unit can substantially reduce your cooling costs. Columbia Water and Light can help you figure out the savings and payback period for a new unit. Depending on what unit you chose you could also be eligible for a Federal Energy Tax Credit of $1500.

**NOTE** Check the ARI Directory for SEER rating confirmation before completing the purchase of a new unit. Sometimes the manufacturer's SEER rating can be rated higher than the unit can actually perform.

Columbia Water and Light wants to pay you back for your increased energy efficiency. Due to the increased costs of higher SEER units, the amount of the rebate offered to you also goes up.

Air Conditioning Unit	2 TON	3 TON	4 TON	5 TON
SEER 14	$100	$100	$200	$300
SEER 15	$200	$300	$400	$600
SEER 16	$300	$500	$600	$800
SEER 17	$400	$600	$800	$1,000
SEER 18	$500	$700	$1,000	$1,200
SEER 19	$500	$800	$1,100	$1,400
SEER 20	$600	$900	$1,200	$1,600

The seasonal energy efficiency ratio or SEER is defined as the total cooling output (in British thermal units or BTU) provided by the unit during its normal annual usage period divided by its total energy input (in watt-hours) during the same period.

Solar Water Heater Rebate

Download the solar water heater rebate application in a .pdf file The application includes a checklist of items you will need to receive a rebate.

Solar water heating is a simple, efficient, and affordable technology that can cut water heating costs by 50 – 80%. A family of four generally needs two 4’ X 8’ collector panels connected to an 80 gallon storage tank. The insulated tank holds the hot water until you need it. It requires little maintenance and helps create a sustainable environment with less dependency on energy created from fossil fuels.

There is a $400 Rebate for the solar water heating system. For customers with an existing a natural gas water heating system Columbia Water and Light offers $400 for converting to an electric back-up system. Solar water heaters are also eligible for a Federal Tax Credit!

Solar water heaters must have a Solar Rating Certification Corporation (SRCC) rating of OG 300. The manufacturer must provide a minimum five (5) year warranty on major components. Applications be submitted before the equipment is installed so the unit can meet all rebate qualifications.

(Solar) Photovoltaic System Rebate

Electric customers that install photovoltaic (PV) systems on their property can produce electricity for their own use. Through an interconnection agreement with Columbia Water and Light, you can potentially sell back extra energy you don’t use to the utility.

You can receive $500 per kilowatt for 250 to 10,000 watt photovoltaic system plus a Federal Tax Credit!

More Money for You!

Water and Light Super Saver Loan + Rebate = No out of pocket expense to you! Super Saver loans have a fixed, low-interest rate determined by a weekly index of tax-exempt notes. There is a five-year payback period with no prepayment penalties. Loans are available to Columbia Water and Light property owners for adding a new heating and cooling system, a heat pump, installing a solar water heater or adding insulation.

General Guidelines

See the application for each type of equipment for the entire listing of requirements.
One time rebates are available for qualifying Columbia Water and Light electric customers.
Qualifying air conditioners and solar water heaters installed after April 15, 2007 are eligible for a rebate. Photovoltaic systems installed after June 1, 2007 will be eligible for a rebate.
The rebate application form and receipts must be submitted to Columbia Water and Light within six months of the air conditioner unit’s installation. Incomplete or incorrect applications will have thirty days to provide the correct information or risk losing their place in the rebate funding process.
Rebates are offered on a first come, first serve basis as funding is available each fiscal year.

Air Conditioning/Heat Pump

A copy of the mechanical permit from Protective Inspection is required.
Unit includes a new outdoor condenser and a new indoor matched evaporator coil.
A copy of the paid receipt must list the model numbers for the condenser, the matched evaporator coil, the expansion valve and any additional installed equipment as listed in the ARI Directory.

Solar Project Guidelines

Please see our solar system informational page for more information.