Rebates are Good Medicine

Many United members are living more comfortably and wasting less energy today thanks to their participation in personal energy management strategies that have been encouraged through United’s considerable energy rebate programs and free home energy audits.

Free home energy audits that are available to every United member provide a host of energy-efficiency tips and ideas to members, in addition to United annual Energy Innovation Rebate Program incentives that help make energy efficiency upgrades to their homes more affordable.

Homeowners first need to understand where their energy consumption is occurring in the home, and which factors contribute to the most energy usage. The cooperative’s team of energy experts helps members find areas where energy efficiency could be improved, as well as ways to improve those circumstances. Once the improvements are made to the home, members can apply for qualified rebates.

Attic Insulation Retrofit Rebate

Members may need more insulation over the conditioned areas of the home to help with heat gain/loss. This rebate requires members to have a free home energy audit prior to adding insulation, which will allow our energy experts to verify current insulation levels. To qualify, a homeowner must have 8” or less of insulation currently. United will pay 2 cents per inch per square foot for a max depth of 12 inches; i.e., if a member currently has 6 inches in a 2,000-square-foot home and adds another 6 inches the member would qualify for 6 inches x 2 cents x 2,000 square feet = $240 rebate. Remember to call a local United office to schedule an energy audit prior to installing more insulation.

HVAC Tune-Up Rebate

United’s most popular rebate is the tune-up rebate. This rebate is for residential only. United’s energy experts recommend homeowners get their a/c units serviced at least once a year to improve efficiency of the units during operation. Members can also apply for this rebate once a year. United will pay members up to $100 per unit with no limit on number of units. A technician signature and number of units are required on the rebate form.

Heat Pump Rebate

When a HVAC system finally exceeds its life expectancy, and tune-ups are no longer effective in keeping a unit running properly, it may be time to replace that unit. United members can take advantage of the heat pump rebate to help absorb some of a new system’s cost.

The rebate applies to heat pumps with a 16-SEER rating or higher. United determines the appropriate rebate amount from the AHRI certificate and the tested energy efficiency rating of the complete system—both inside and outside units operating together.

United will give $200 for SEER 16, $300 for SEER 17, $400 for SEER 18 and $500 for SEER 19 and higher. The technician signature and AHRI certification number need to be provided on the rebate application. The rebate is only available for complete system change-outs.

Fuel Conversion Rebate

United offers fuel conversion rebates to help members with the cost of switching fuel sources for  electric air conditioning units and electric water heaters. United offers members $100 for each liquid propane (LP) or natural gas central air conditioning  unit switched to an electric heat pump. By switching to a heat pump, the member could also qualify for the heat pump rebate (16 SEER or above).

United also will give the member $100 for changing a LP/gas water heater to an electric water heater. It must be a minimum of a 40-gallon tank water heater to qualify. If a heat pump water heater is installed, then the member can also qualify for the heat pump electric water heater rebate mentioned below.

Heat Pump Electric Water Heater Rebate

When a member installs a heat pump water heater, United will provide a $150 rebate. The tank must be at least a 40-gallon tank with a minimum of 2.0 energy factor. A technician must sign the rebate form and provide an AHRI number.

Electric Vehicle (EV) Charger Rebate

United is offering a rebate to help offset the cost of installing the charger for electric vehicles. The rebate pays 50 percent  up to $500 for a Level 2 (240 volt) EV charger. Equipment must be programmable to allow charging only during off-peak hours. Peak hours are from 4-7 p.m. May-October. Rebate eligibility requires members to sign up for United’s “Beat the Peak” program. United’s energy experts will need to verify equipment and charging times before such rebates can be processed.

Nest and WiFi-Enabled Thermostat Rebate

United offers two different thermostat rebates. The first rebate is for the NEST Thermostat. United offers a $50 rebate for each Nest thermostat installed in the home. Additional incentives are available if thermostat is enrolled in United’s Rush Hour Rewards program. Members who own a Nest thermostat should contact a local cooperative office for more information.

When a member installs any other brand of  WiFi-enabled thermostat, they can receive a $25 rebate for each thermostat that is installed. An energy audit is required for the thermostat rebate prior to change-out, or members can provide United an invoice proving the prior thermostat was non-WiFi. Thermostats can be purchased anywhere; and the member must provide proof of purchase.

Solar Screen Rebate

United’s last rebate is the solar screen rebate. The summer sun in Texas proves to be very hot. Windows account for 25-30 percent of a home’s heat loss/gain. New low-E windows have proven to be very effective, but more expensive at the same time. Solar screens are a less expensive alternative for reducing a home’s heat gain. United provides members with a rebate when installing solar screens on residential windows. The rebate is $5 for every 3X5 window, up to $50. Solar screens must provide at least 70 percent or more heat gain blockage. A United free energy audit must be performed prior to install.

All rebates need a contractor signature if applicable and an itemized invoice or receipt. United recommends members call their local office to schedule a FREE, comprehensive home energy audit with United energy experts today to see which rebates members are eligible to receive. United’s Energy Innovation Rebates are limited, and rebates are processed on first-come, first-served basis. If the funding budget for the rebates is  depleted before the end of a calendar year, the rebate program will no longer be available until the following year. All rebates must be submitted within 60 days of completion, along with all documentation/receipts. Rebate application forms are available at local United offices, or online underneath the Rebates tab. Rebates can be submitted via email to rebates@ucs.net, mailed or dropped off at a local office.