The Jamestown Board of Public Utilities approved its 2017 Energy Efficiency Rebate Programs for electric customers.  Three rebate programs will change slightly and three will remain the same.

Home Energy Audit Program

Home Energy Audits in 2017 will continue to be offered free-of-charge through New York State’s Green Jobs, Green New York Program.  While 2016 income levels made the audits free to anyone earning less than $108,000 a year, the 2017 program will provide free audits to New Yorkers who make less than $102,000 a year. The BPU subsidizes the audit for those making more than $102,000 annually. Both programs provide rebates for electric customers who make changes suggested by the audit.

BPU rebates cover 25 percent of the cost of weatherization improvements with a $2,000 maximum limit per property for all residential electric customers; and fifty percent, up to $4,000, for customers who have used electric as their primary heat source for at least three years.  Rebates will be issued in the form of a check.

A home energy audit is an in-depth analysis of the building envelope, heating system and electric consuming devices performed by a Building Performance Institute (BPI) certified contractor.  The audit includes monitoring of certain electric appliances, a blower door test to evaluate air filtration, a lighting audit, pipe insulation and combustion efficiency tests of hot water tanks, natural gas furnaces and boilers. A report is furnished to the homeowner at the end of the audit.

BPU rebates cover 25 percent of the cost of weatherization improvements with a $2,000 maximum limit per property for all residential electric customers; and fifty percent, up to $4,000, for customers who have used electric as their primary heat source for at least three years.  Rebates will be issued in the form of a check.

ENERGY STAR Rebate Program

The BPU’s ENERGY STAR Rebate Program has added a rebate of $50 to electric customers who install Wi-Fi enabled thermostats.  As in 2016, rebates for other products will be as follows:  $35 for residential windows, $25 for skylights, $50 for residential entry doors and $100 for through-the-wall air conditioning units with a minimum capacity of 12,000 BTU.  Central air conditioning units will be rebated at $100 per ton of cooling capacity, which equates to approximately 12,000 BTU. HVAC heat pumps are rebated $500 per ton of heating or cooling capacity, again, equaling approximately 12,000 BTU. Geothermal heat pumps are rebated $1,000 per ton of heating or cooling capacity equaling approximately 12,000 BTU. Finally, heat pump water heaters will be rebated at $500.

Lighting and Motor Rebates for Commercial and Industrial Customers

The Lighting and Motor Rebate Program for Commercial and Industrial Customers will change slightly in 2017.

Rebates for a large range of LED lights are available in the new year. The very small LED bulbs are not included in rebates because they already have dropped in price significantly.

Rebates for T-8 lights are no longer offered due to Federal standards that phased out T-12 lighting, making T-8 lighting the new minimum standard.

Commercial and industrial customers classified as service class 2 and 3 customers qualify for this program. Rebates help underwrite the purchase cost of permanently installed new light fixtures, ballasts, bulbs, sockets, LED exit signs and more.  Occupancy sensors, electric motor and variable speed drives also qualify for the program.

Portable equipment and labor costs to install equipment are not included.

Any lighting or motor project that exceeds $1,000 should be discussed with Energy Efficiency Coordinator Dan Reynolds before a project begins, in order to ensure that the project qualifies for rebates.

Residential Attic Insulation Program

The Residential Attic Insulation Program in 2017 continues to include individuals who own residential property in the BPU electric territory and use permanently installed electric heating equipment as the primary heat source.

Rebate applicants in the program must take “before and after” pictures of their attic insulation to show a final thickness of the insulation.  Rebates are limited to fifty percent of the cost of the material and $500 maximum per building and $5,000 maximum per property owner. Rebates are not eligible for the labor installation cost.

Rebates are in the form of a check for all property owners.

Weatherization for Commercial and Industrial Customers

This program enters into the new year with no changes, offering rebates to promote the energy efficiency of the thermal envelope of commercial and industrial buildings, to lower energy consumption.

Applicants for rebates must be commercial and industrial customers classified as Service Class 2 or 3 who use electric or district heat as their primary heat source.

Companies are limited to a maximum of $10,000 of rebates annually and include weatherization projects such as air sealing, new doors, new strip doors and windows, and insulation of floors, ceilings, walls and pipes.  Building Performance Institute (BPI) contractors must do any of the air sealing work.

Projects with a total anticipated rebate of $1,000 or more must be approved by BPU Energy Efficiency Coordinator, Dan Reynolds, before being initiated.

Customized Incentive Program for Commercial and Industrial Customers

Under this program, commercial and industrial customers are paid for energy savings of a specific amount (10Ç per Kilowatt Hour saved) by efficiency measures that the customer performs.

Examples of energy efficiency measures that could receive funding under the program include installing building system automation equipment, heat recovery systems, natural lighting, equipment upgrades to higher efficiency, fixing leaks in compressed air systems, adding reflective surfaces to roofs and windows and investment in air and ground source heat pumps.

To qualify, customers must provide supporting documentation to demonstrate the potential energy efficiency savings.  Documentation may be in the form of engineering reports, energy efficiency studies or manufacturers’ cut sheet.  Pre-approval must be received from Energy Efficiency Coordinator, Dan Reynolds.

How to Find More Information

BPU Energy Efficiency Coordinator Dan Reynolds may be reached at 661-1646 and at dreynolds@jamestownbpu.com.  Programs are described at www.jamestownbpu.com under the white “Energy Efficiency Opportunities” icon on the home page.  Brochures also are available at BPU Customer Service, 92 Steele St. Jamestown. Customer Service is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Wednesday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday-Friday.