About Energy Efficiency Rebates
Saving Both You & the Electric Companies Money
Why would utilities pay people to save energy? It seems counterintuitive, but there is something in it for utilities too. Energy efficiency programs help them manage demand and save money. In fact, paying customers to save energy is 1/3 of the cost of building a new power plant. That's a big reason why so many programs are available across North America.
There are 3 main types of energy efficiency programs:
78% of the US has an active commercial lighting rebate
While rebates are available for a variety of energy saving upgrades, commercial lighting rebates for products like LEDs are the most popular programs.
Learn More »Rebates can come from a variety of sources such as utilities, municipalities, states, and non-profit organizations. Unlike rebates for household products, commercial rebates typically require pre-approval from the rebate program before installation begins. With over 3,000 utilities across North America, rebates vary greatly between locations.
Reducing your upfront cost and improving the payback
By taking advantage of rebates, you can reduce your upfront costs and improve the payback of your energy efficient installation. On average, rebates improve a project's payback by 20%.
A variety of products can qualify for rebates
If your project saves energy, there is a good chance a rebate or incentive might be available.
Learn more about LED lighting rebates
Learn more about VFD rebates
The Rebate Process
Claiming rebates can be a difficult and lengthy process. Typically there are 12 main steps in the rebate process.
Pre-approval
(4 - 5 weeks)
- • Gather technical documents
- • Run energy saving calculations
- • Prepare and submit rebate paperwork
- • Schedule pre-inspection where required
Installation
(8 - 13 weeks)
- • Notify program of any changes
- • Adhere to specific installation requirements where required
- • Ensure project is completed by deadline
- • File extension request if required
Final Rebate Submission
(10 - 12 weeks)
- • Gather invoices and required documents
- • Prepare & submit final rebate paperwork
- • Schedule post-inspection where required
- • Ensure check is issued
BriteSwitch Takes All the Hassle Out of the Rebate Process
Estimate the Rebates
Rebates and incentives can involve cumbersome calculations. We will look at your project and estimate the rebate you will receive.
Verify Product Eligibility
Not all products can qualify for a rebate. We will make sure you're using eligible equipment.
Gather & Complete Documentation
Rebate applications require a lot of paperwork and documentation. We will take care of all the paperwork so you don't have to.
Make Sure You Get Your Check
Sometimes checks get lost in the mail or the dollar amount is incorrect; we will not stop until all issues are resolved.
Energy saving projects that are implemented in the Mid-Atlantic region may qualify for a capacity incentive. These incentives are offered by the electric grid operator to help reduce demand and prevent blackouts.
- ● Incentive is often on top of any rebates
- ● Both new construction and retrofit projects qualify
- ● Can file retroactively for projects up to 4 years old
Since there are several submission deadlines, please let us know about your projects as soon as possible to avoid missing out on all the possible incentives.
BriteSwitch will also search for and help you take advantage of any tax deductions or tax credits that may apply to your lighting project. The most well known Federal tax deduction, EPAct 2005 or 179D, was made permanent in December 2020 and is available to many types of commercial projects. The deduction can be up to $1.80 per square foot.
Sometimes state or local tax credits may become available as well. We are constantly monitoring these programs and if there are any applicable programs, we include those numbers when we review projects for rebate potential.
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