Beginning on April 19, the Governor’s Energy Office (GEO) will offer rebates to Colorado residents and businesses who install energy efficiency or renewable energy measures in their home. This program will be supported by a new GEO website that will offer comprehensive and localized information about rebates and financial incentives, goods and services, conservation and money-saving tips, and energy news from across the state, as well as personalized tools and planners—all of which can have tremendous impact on your energy use and cost-savings.
The GEO will offer rebates for the following:
- ENERGY STAR Clothes washers – $75
- ENERGY STAR Dish washers – $50
- ENERGY STAR Refrigerators – $100 w/ proof of recycling, $50 w/out proof of recycling
- ENERGY STAR Water heaters (gas high performance and gas condensing) – $200
- ENERGY STAR Tankless water heaters (gas) – $300
- ENERGY STAR Boilers (gas) – $400
- ENERGY STAR Furnaces (gas condensing) – $500
- Whole-house energy audit – tiered rebate of $25 to $100 depending on cost of audit
- Insulation and air sealing measures – 20% of cost up to $400 (will not exceed $600 if combined with an existing local utility rebate taken by the consumer)
- Duct sealing – 20% of cost up to $75 (will not exceed $125 if combined with an existing local utility rebate)
- Whole house energy monitors – $50 (will not exceed $100 if combined with an existing local utility rebate)
- Solar Electric – Photovoltaic (PV) – 20 to 30%. In some cases, rebates combined with local incentives will result in a 50 % reduction in costs. Xcel and Black Hills Energy customers are excluded due to existing residential photovoltaic rebates offered through those utilities.
- Solar domestic hot water- 30% of the cost
- Solar thermal and/or hot water – approx. 30 % of the cost of the system (commercial only – no pools, spas or snowmelt)
- Small wind – up to 10 kW – approx. 30% of the cost of the system for residential, approx. 15 to 20% of the cost of the system for commercial
As you prepare for the rebate program to launch on April 19, please keep in mind the following information:
- These rebates will be reserved online on a first-come, first-served basis through 2012 or until funds are exhausted, whichever occurs first.
- Information about specific product requirements is available for all products. Qualifying makes and models will be available upon program launch.
- Consumers are reminded that no rebates are guaranteed until all documentation is provided to the GEO. Consumers that are interested in energy efficiency appliances should consider the savings that are immediately available to them through retailer, utility or manufacturer incentives. Many retailers are currently offering sales that exceed what will be available in the rebate program.
- Not all products and services will qualify for a rebate. You should not choose a product or service for purchase until the program has launched and you and your contractor (if applicable) have reviewed and understand all of the program criteria.
- Only existing homes qualify (with the exception of the ENERGY STAR New Homes rebate for homebuilders).
- Appliance rebates must be used to replace an existing appliance in working order.
- One appliance rebate per type of appliance per residential consumer.
- One non-appliance rebate per type per property.
- Landlords (business applicants) and individuals can qualify for rebates. Local governments and non-profits are ineligible (click here for other GEO opportunities for governments and non-profits).
- Rebates for renewable energy measures, such as solar hot water or solar electric systems, will require a home energy audit before applying. Audits that have been conducted after Dec. 31 2006 but before program launch can be accepted. After April 19, however, the audit must be performed by a Building Performance Institute (BPI) or Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) certified auditor. Rebates are available for home energy audits performed after April 19.
- Rebates for renewable energy measures will be available for both residential and commercial applications. Installations of renewable energy on public buildings are ineligible for rebates. If you are interested in funding opportunities for renewable energy on public buildings, please see the GEO’s Funding Opportunities section.
- Please be aware of other opportunities when considering rebates. The new GEO website, which launches on April 19, will have tools to help you determine what you may qualify for depending on your location.
- All energy efficiency and renewable energy rebates are designed to complement existing local incentives and create partnership opportunities when possible.
- Funding for these programs is provided by American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009.
- Landlords (business applicants) and individuals can qualify for rebates. Local governments and non-profits are ineligible (click here for other GEO opportunities for governments and non-profits).
- Residential buildings are defined as a building used solely as living quarters containing four or fewer dwelling units, three stories or under above grade, that does not have a centralized mechanical system serving multiple units.
For general questions, please contact the GEO by sending an email to rebates@state.co.us. Please understand that the GEO’s rebate team continues to manage a high volume of work. As a result you may find that the response rate to questions is delayed. Please keep an eye on this website and sign up for the GEO newsletter. By signing up, you will receive rebate information when it is announced. Please keep an eye on this website and sign up for the GEO newsletter.
