Five Things to Know About Reducing Energy Costs - Part 3 of 5

Apply for Rebates from the Utility Companies

Believe it or not, the utility companies want to save you money!  Reducing your energy demands also reduces the utility’s cost of providing that energy to you.  While each utility will have its own rebate structures and policies, it is well worthwhile to investigate what is available in your area.  With these rebate programs, participating businesses can quickly recoup the price differential of a premium efficiency motor.  This not only allows businesses to immediately reduce operating costs, but also lets them get their free motor sooner.  Some examples of rebate programs are:

A. Southern California Edison
SCE’s Express Efficiency program is designed to help businesses of any size or monthly electricity use to immediately reduce their operating costs by installing premium efficiency motors at their current facility.  Qualifying businesses can have the rebate credited towards their account or paid directly in cash.  Rebate amounts increase with motor horsepower, up to a maximum of $1,260 for each 200 horsepower motor.  Additional information can be found on SCE’s rebate website at:

http://www.sce.com/ExpressEfficiency/premium-efficiency-motors.htm

B. Avista Utilities
Avista business customers can take advantage of the utility’s rebate program by filling out a simple rebate form and attaching the invoice for the premium efficiency motors that the business has purchased.  Like the SCE rebate, Avista’s rebate amounts vary by motor horsepower, with a 40 horsepower premium efficiency motor qualifying the user for a $1,000 rebate.  Additional information for Avista’s Washington, Oregon, and Idaho customers can be found at:

http://www.avistautilities.com/savings/rebates/Documents/Motors%20Web.pdf

http://www.avistautilities.com/business/rebates/washington_idaho/Pages/incentive_12.aspx

C. NorthWestern Energy
Montana, Nebraska, and South Dakota customers can fill out a rebate form and send it to the utility for their rebate.  Like the other programs, the premium efficiency motors must be installed for the user to qualify for the rebate.  Unlike the other programs, however, NorthWestern’s rebate program has no horsepower cap.  Standardized rates are rebated for motors up to 200 horsepower, while higher-horsepower motors are given customized rebates based upon the motor’s total output horsepower, acquisition cost, and savings potential.  Additional information can be found at NorthWestern Energy’s rebate website.

http://www.northwesternenergy.com/documents/E+Programs/E+MotorRebateApplication.pdf

http://www.northwesternenergy.com/display.aspx?Page=Motor_Rebate_MT

D. Dayton Power & Light
Dayton Power & Light’s rebate program presents one of the best payback opportunities for users of premium efficiency motors.  Rather than a flat rebate amount per motor horsepower, DP&L pays a rebate based upon total energy saved.  Large plants that replace a majority or all of their motors with premium efficiency versions during scheduled downtime can see substantial costs savings, with rebate amounts of up to $0.10 per kilowatt-hour saved.  Given that a 10-horsepower premium efficiency motor is able to save over 2,200 kilowatt-hours per year in continuous operation, the rebate incentives become readily apparent.  For additional information, check out DP&L’s rebate information website.

http://www.dpandl.com/EEP_CustomRebate.php