Coloradans can soon tap into millions of Recovery Act dollars and take steps to save money, boost the economy and save energy as the Governor's Energy Office and partners prepare to launch a sweeping, statewide rebate program April 19. Coloradans can learn more by visiting the Recharge Colorado website (also launching April 19) to sign up for rebates on a wide array of appliances, services and equipment that will save energy, reduce energy bills and create jobs for Colorado.

Items eligible for rebates will include:

Equipment such as dishwashers, clothes washers, refrigerators, as well as furnaces and water heaters. 

Residential energy efficiency measures such as insulation and air sealing, duct sealing, whole-house energy audits and whole-house energy monitors.

Renewable energy projects, including solar photovoltaic systems, solar hot water systems for homes and businesses and small wind installations.

The GEO expects high consumer interest in all rebates. For ENERGY STAR appliance rebates, the GEO along with its local partners expects brisk consumer action. Those appliances account for about 16,000 of the rebates. In light of that, it's important for consumers to have realistic expectations and to recognize the limits of the program.  Rebates on kitchen appliances range from $50 to $100 while those for water heaters and furnaces range from $200 to $500. These rebates will be reserved on-line on a first-come, first-served basis.

Many of the items eligible for rebates from the GEO also qualify for United Power rebates. United Power members are encouraged to apply for rebates from both the GEO and United Power. Learn more about United Power's rebate program here.

The GEO rebates will not be retroactive. This means that products purchased and installed before the GEO launches the program will be ineligible for rebates. Consumers are reminded that no rebates are guaranteed until all documentation is provided to the GEO and that not all products and services will qualify for a rebate. The GEO strongly encourages consumers to review the rebate materials carefully when considering purchases.

Qualifying appliance rebates:

• Clothes washers $75
• Dishwashers $50
• *Refrigerators $100 with proof the previous refrigerator was recycled. Proof consists of a receipt from a recycling facility or a receipt from a retailer engaged in an existing recycling agreement with the GEO.  A list of retailers will be available in coming weeks.
• *Refrigerators $50 with no proof of recycling.
• **Furnaces - gas condensing $500
• Water heater - gas condensing/high performance $200 (minimum efficiency rating available in coming weeks)
• Water heater - gas tankless $300 Gas boilers - $400

*Refrigerators must be at least 12 cubic feet in size to qualify.
**Furnaces must also be rated at an Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE)  greater or equal to 92 percent.

Residential energy efficiency rebates:

•  Insulation and air sealing - 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 audit - tiered rebate of $25 to $100 depending on cost of audit
• Whole-house energy monitor - $50 (will not exceed $100 if combined with an existing local utility rebate)

Renewable energy rebates:

Note: Rebates are based on system size, calculated per watt. So no hard dollar figure is provided here.

• *Solar photovoltaic - 20 to 30%. In some cases, rebates combined with local incentives will result in a 50% reduction in costs.
• Solar domestic hot water - 30% of the cost
• Solar thermal and/or hot water (commercial only - no pools, spas or snowmelt) - approx. 30 % of the cost of the system
• Small wind (residential) up to 10 kW - approx. 30% of the cost of the system Small wind (commercial) - approx. 15 to 20% of the cost of the system

*Xcel and Black Hills Energy customers are excluded due to existing residential photovoltaic  rebates offered through those utilities.
 

“At the request of many United Power members, United Power is glad to be able to offer this convenient billing service,” said Antelia Ball, Manager of Customer Services. “Paperless Billing saves paper and resources and we’re pleased with the number of members who have enrolled in the program.”

Paperless Billing is a free service. United Power members can enroll online through E-Bill. Once enrolled, a paper statement is no longer mailed. Instead, members are sent an e-mail notification directing them to view their monthly statement online via E-bill. Members who still wish to receive a paper statement in the mail can also use E-Bill to view account history or make secure payments via checking or savings accounts, or a credit card. 

In honor of Earth Day 2010, United Power is pledging $1 to Colorado State Parks for each member who signs up for Paperless Billing between now and April 30th. To sign up for Paperless Billing, login to e-bill and select Stop/Start Print Bill from the menu on the left, review the four acknowledgement statements, uncheck the accounts you would like paperless and click update. A printed bill will no longer be mailed to you and you will receive an e-mail notification when your statement is available.