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: $50 to $1600
• Solar Water Heater: $400 to $800
• (Solar) Photovoltaic System:  $500 per kilowatt

Columbia Water & Light encourages the efficient use of electricity because it can make a big difference for all of us. For you, the immediate benefit is saving money and having a more comfortable home. For the utility, research has show that it is cheaper for us to "buy" efficiency than it is to produce electricity. This helps your rates stay low. Energy efficiency is good for you and it is good for Columbia.

SURVEY: Do you want money to get rid of your extra refrigerator?

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

Air Conditioner – Air Source Heat Pump 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.

 

• Complete the Air Conditioner/Air Source Heat Pump Rebate application. The application includes a checklist of items you will need to receive a rebate. Please note, you can fill out the form using your computer but you must print it and sign the form.
• A copy of the final mechanical permit from the Building/Site Development division of the Community Development Department is required.
• 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 AHRI Directory.
• The rebate application form and receipts must be submitted to Columbia Water & 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. Columbia Water & Light reserves the right to inspect the installed equipment before the rebate payment is issued.
• Columbia Water & Light reserves the right to deny a rebate for a unit that is oversized for a building.

**NOTE** Check the AHRI 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.

Air Conditioner/Heat Pump Rebate Chart

SEER	1 TON	1.5 TON	2 TON	2.5 TON	3 TON	3.5 TON	4 TON	5 TON
14	$50	$75	$100	$100	$100	$150	$200	$300
14.5	$75	$125	$150	$175	$200	$250	$300	$450
15	$100	$150	$200	$250	$300	$350	$400	$600
15.5	$125	$175	$250	$325	$400	$450	$500	$700
16	$150	$225	$300	$400	$500	$550	$600	$800
16.5	$175	$250	$350	$450	$550	$625	$700	$900
17	$200	$300	$400	$500	$600	$700	$800	$1000
17.5	$225	$325	$450	$550	$650	$775	$900	$1100
18	$250	$375	$500	$600	$700	$850	$1000	$1200
18.5	$275	$400	$550	$650	$750	$900	$1050	$1300
19	$300	$450	$600	$700	$800	$950	$1100	$1400
19.5	$325	$475	$650	$750	$850	$1000	$1150	$1500
20	$350	$500	$700	$800	$900	$1050	$1200	$1600

We also offer Commercial Air Conditioner/Heat Pump Rebates.

Solar Water Heater 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.

 

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.

 

There is an $800 rebate for a natural gas water heating customer to convert to a solar electric water heating system. All electric customers can receive a $400 rebate for the installation of a solar water heating system.

 

Requirements

• This program is available to all Columbia Water & Light electric customers
• Rebates are offered to customers who install solar domestic water heating systems (DWH) that annually provide 50% (or more) yearly energy use from the sun and use electric resistance heating as the back-up energy source
• Rebates must be applied for in advance of equipment installation and must receive written approval from Columbia Water & Light as a pre-condition to receiving a rebate offer
• Columbia Water & Light reserves the right to inspect a project prior to installation and after installation is completed
• Customer agrees to exclusively grant Columbia Water & Light the right to use all renewable energy attributes arising from the solar DHW system
• Standard rebate offer for customers already using electric DHW systems is $400
• For customers not using electric as their existing DHW system the standard rebate offer is $800. Solar storage tank must have electric element installed and be connected to an electric circuit. Storage tank must also be first in series plumbing
• Solar systems must be new and OG 300 certified as tested by the Solar Rating and Certification Corporation (SRCC)
• Equipment must be warranted for a minimum period of five years. Customers are required to maintain system in working order for a period of five years (or risk a prorated reimbursement)
• Projects must receive all applicable permits from the City of Columbia and meet all applicable codes
• Rebate application includes: Project description; SRCC certification and warranty
• Post installation requires a copy of City of Columbia permit(s) and paid receipt of contractor

Procedures

• Customer files an application with Columbia Water & Light
• Columbia Water & Light inspects property prior to installation (verifies preexisting energy source)
• Customer receives letter with the rebate offer
• Customer completes installation and notifies Columbia Water & Light
• Columbia Water & Light inspects completed project and all needed documentation
• Columbia Water & Light authorizes payment as approved and check is sent to the customer

(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. Install a new unit and you can receive $500 per kilowatt for 250 to 10,000 watt photovoltaic system plus a Federal Tax Credit!

 

This information taken from Columbia Ordinance - Chapter 27, Section 27-164