The Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy is opening two new rebate programs, the Virginia Home Efficiency Rebate Program and the Virginia Geothermal Heat Pump Rebate Program, starting June 20, 2011. Approximately $5 million will be available.
Eligible energy efficiency improvements include upgrading certain heating equipment, adding insulation and replacing inefficient windows to reduce energy consumption and utility costs in existing homes. Homeowners will be eligible to reserve rebates for 20 percent of the costs of qualifying energy conserving products and services, up to $595. Energy audits will be rebated for the cost of the audit, up to $250. Rebates for no more than 20 percent of costs, up to $2,000, will be offered for qualifying geothermal heat pumps.
The on-line application process will open at noon on June 20 on the DMME website http://www.dmme.virginia.gov. Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis until funding has been reserved. Once all funds are reserved, additional applicants will go onto a waiting list in case all reservation funds are not claimed.
Qualifying energy efficient equipment and items purchased and installed on or after March 26, 2010 will be considered for a rebate if all other eligibility requirements are met.
Rebates will be calculated at 20% of cost for the following eligible project items, up to $595 per residential property address:
- Oil furnace
- Gas, propane or oil hot water boiler
- Insulation and air sealing
- Replacement windows and exterior doors
- Storm doors
Rebates are restricted to Virginia residential property owners. Applicants will have 60 days to complete a project once a reservation is approved.
If you received a rebate for specific equipment and items under the previous Energy Efficiency Rebate Program, you cannot apply for a rebate for the same equipment or item under the new Home Efficiency Rebate Program. However, if for example, you previously received a rebate for 10 windows, and want to install 4 more windows purchased after March 26, 2010, you can apply for a rebate for the additional windows that were not included in the previous rebate.
The separate Virginia Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program might also be of interest to Virginia residents. It offers rebates on items not included in the new Virginia Home Efficiency Rebate Program, including central air conditioners, air-source heat pumps, gas/propane furnaces, tankless or storage-style gas/propane water heaters, electric heat pump water heaters, clothes washers, refrigerators, dishwashers and room air conditioners.
Virginia residents can learn how to apply for either rebate program on DMME’s Division of Energy web page: http://www.dmme.virginia.gov.
