Rebates and Incentives Available through Indiana Utility Companies

Although the statewide Energizing Indiana prescriptive rebate program is will be ending soon, there is still time for most customers to use it. Here are the end dates in various areas of the state, according to Chris Steininger (317-400-5918; csteininger@franklinenergy.com), EI's Outreach Lead, who is eager to help congregations utilize these rebates:

--Indiana Michigan – September 30

--NIPSCO – October 24

--Vectren – December 31

--Duke & Indianapolis Power & Light – December 31 (but paperwork can be turned in 90 days later, up to March 31, 2015).

Several different electrical companies supply power in various parts of the state, and most utilities offer rebate/incentive programs to residential and commercial users, including congregational buildings. These programs complement Energizing Indiana's rebates, so if you don't find what you want with EI, check your utility's rebate programs). They are funded through your utility bills. They benefit both utilities (allowing them to avoid building more power plants) and customers (helping reduce up-front cost of changes that create longterm economic and environmental savings). It is likely that as the EI rebates end, utilities will carry them on. If you want to take advantage of an EI rebate but cannot make the deadline, do recheck your utility’s rebate list next January, since some utilities are applying to continue EI’s rebates themselves.

A useful (but lengthy) read is this August 2014 report to the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission, which outlines the savings returned through Indiana’s energy efficiency programs. At the end are charts summarizing the rebate programs available through Duke, I&M, IPL, NIPSCO, and Vectren. There, “C&I” means “commercial and industrial,” including your worship building. 

Some benefits can be tapped directly through utilities’ online stores. For instance, Duke Energy’s Smart Saver Incentive Program store offers CFL and LED lights, exit signs, thermostats, water-related equipment, and plug-in controls. Not only are these products discounted, but the rebate is built into the product itself, so there is no guesswork concerning eligible products and no application to fill out—you simply go to Duke Energy’s savings store, hit “shop new,” enter the service address’s phone number or account number and the last four digits of its tax ID number, and begin browsing. For example, LED universal-mount exit sign lights, especially important because they burn 24/7, are $8.48 each, a 4-month return on investment, pure gold since powering 25 incandescent signs can cost $1000/year.

Other benefits come as prescriptive rebates either from EI or from the utilities. These are rebates that you apply for, using the utility’s application. You need not apply before installation, since they are “prescribed.” The application forms and accompanying materials often contain all the information necessary for choosing wisely, but a phone conversation with a representative of the program can provide more focused guidance. Pay attention to details regarding wattage and configuration of allowable products, and especially the number of annual hours of use necessary to garner the rebate. Duke Energy’s Smart Saver representative Susan Celentano, for instance, walked me through the website when I called, and encouraged me to share her contact information with other commercial customers (317/517-2273; susan.celentano@duke-energy.com).

A third form of incentive is the custom rebate program. It may suit unique needs, but it is a more complex process involving pre-approval of your application, which can take several weeks. Again, your utility representative can help. It is helpful to know the

product lists to which utility companies refer so that you can examine and search them directly:

·         For fluorescent lighting: Qualifying Products List at CEE1.org.

·         For LED lighting systems: Designlights Consortium.

·         For LED screw-in light bulbs and other products: Energy Star.

Another potential guide is your local lighting specialist, who will probably be eager to answer questions and even visit your facilities to help walk you through the process and possibilities.

While all the products for which incentives and rebates are offered are proven smart economic investments, rebate programs provide only the initial, and in the long run less significant, portion of the savings you will realize. More important is what your congregation will save continually as ROI (return on investment) by using a fraction of the kilowatt hours (kWh) older technologies demanded. The longer life of efficient fluorescent and, especially, LED lighting also saves both replacement cost and labor cost. Unlike incandescents, efficient lighting emits more light than heat, saving air conditioning. It can be brighter and more comfortable, saving eyestrain. And most of all, you are helping your congregation care for creation and for future generations by drawing less from nonrenewable sources and practicing environmental and building stewardship.