Utilities have long offered rebates and other incentives for energy efficiency. In the early and mide-90s, for example, rebates helped drive a market shift from T12 lamps and magnetic ballasts to T8s and electronic ballasts. By the end of that decade, the amount of rebates had dropped. But the tide has turned. "Utilities can't give all the money away," said Alan Whitson, president, The Corporate Realty, Design & Management Institute, at the Facility Decisions conference and exposition in Las Vegas.
Not all of the utility incentives come in the form of rebates. But incentives range from direct payments to facilities, to design assistance, to help with an energy audit,
Why do some utility incentives go unclaimed? One reason is that facility executives don't realize the incentives are available in the first place. "It's a moving target," said Richard Lubinski, president of Think Energy Management, at Facility Decisions. But just knowing that a utility has a program isn't enough. Miss a deadline for filing paperwork and your project won't qualify. You may also lose out on an opportunity if all the incentive money is spent before you apply."Get in early," Lubinski said. He advises facility executives to develop a face-to-face relationship with the person administering the incentive program in the utility.It's also a good idea to get a project approved in advance. In many cases, that's mandatory: Apply after the project has been completed and it won't even be considered.Although most incentives are aimed at improvements for existing buildings, some utilities offer incentive for new construction as well. To check out incentives available in your area, go to www.dsire.org.