State Releases $5 Million in New Energy Efficiency Rebates

From the Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP): 

Please see the press release below from the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy.  For a very limited time (the last time the state made a similar offer in 2010 the rebates were entirely booked within two days) starting at noon today, homeowners can reserve cash rebates on:

·      Insulation and air sealing

·      Oil furnace

·      Gas, propane or oil hot water boiler

·      Replacement windows and exterior doors

·      Storm doors

·      Appliances including but not limited to: Heat Pumps, Refrigerators, and Central Air Conditioners

And then bundle those savings with the cash incentives LEAP offers through the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR program for a potential savings package of more than $2,600. (An example savings package: Energy Audit + Insulate and Air Seal + New Heat Pump + LEAP 20% Energy Improvements Rebate + Federal Tax Credit = $2,645 in SAVINGS).

More information: http://leap-va.org/staterebate

“Charlottesville area homeowners who act immediately can score big on home energy improvements. It’s an unprecedented deal, and it won’t last long,” said Cynthia Adams, LEAP’s Executive Director. “We encourage homeowners to act now to reserve their state rebate and enroll in LEAP’s Home Performance with ENERGY STAR program to ensure the right improvements for your home are made. Homeowners have 60 days to complete the work, and our contractors not only perform to the highest quality LEAP standards – they will respond quickly to your needs.”

From the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy: 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 20, 2011

Contact: Mike Abbott (276) 523-8146

Home Efficiency and Geothermal Heat Pump Rebate Programs Open June 20

RICHMOND, VA - Approximately $5 million will be available beginning June 20, 2011, for two new rebate programs, the Virginia Home Efficiency Rebate Program and the Virginia Geothermal Heat Pump Rebate Program, the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy (DMME) announced today.  Eligible energy efficiency improvements include upgrading certain heating equipment, adding insulation and replacing inefficient windows to reduce energy consumption and utility costs in existing homes.  Homeowners will be eligible to reserve rebates for 20 percent of the costs of qualifying energy conserving products and services, up to $595.  Energy audits will be rebated for the cost of the audit, up to $250.

Rebates for no more than 20 percent of costs, up to $2,000, will be offered for qualifying geothermal heat pumps.

The on-line application process will open at noon on June 20 on the DMME websitehttp://www.dmme.virginia.gov/divisionenergy.shtml.  Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis until funding has been reserved.  Once all funds are reserved, additional applicants will go onto a waiting list in case all reservation funds are not claimed. 

Qualifying energy efficient equipment and items purchased and installed on or after March 26, 2010 will be considered for a rebate if all other eligibility requirements are met.

Rebates will be calculated at 20% of cost for the following eligible project items, up to $595 per residential property address:

1.              Oil furnace

2.              Gas, propane or oil hot water boiler

3.              Insulation and air sealing

4.              Replacement windows and exterior doors

5.              Storm doors

An energy audit will be rebated for the cost of the audit, up to $250.

Rebates are restricted to Virginia residential property owners. Applicants will have 60 days to complete a project once a reservation is approved.

If you received a rebate for specific equipment and items under the previous Energy Efficiency Rebate Program, you cannot apply for a rebate for the same equipment or item under the new Home Efficiency Rebate Program.  However, if for example, you previously received a rebate for 10 windows, and want to install 4 more windows purchased after March 26, 2010, you can apply for a rebate for the additional windows that were not included in the previous rebate.

The separate Virginia Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program might also be of interest to Virginia residents. It offers rebates on items not included in the new Virginia Home Efficiency Rebate Program, including central air conditioners, air-source heat pumps, gas/propane furnaces, tankless or storage-style gas/propane water heaters, electric heat pump water heaters, clothes washers, refrigerators, dishwashers and room air conditioners.

Virginia residents can learn how to apply for either rebate program on DMME’s Division of Energy web page: http://www.dmme.virginia.gov/divisionenergy.shtml