North Dakota Utility Rebate Program Continues in 2011
Co-op members are capitalizing on rebates

(This article is a condensed version of a story that ran in the February 2011 edition of North Dakota LIVING, to read the full story and more about other North Dakotans subscribe today!)

By Carmen Devney

Capital Electric member, Jay Christensen, left, recently purchased an air-source heat pump ane plenum heater to qualify for a rebate. Josh Schaffner, member services assistant for Capital, advised Christensen about the electric heat products and the rebate process. (photo by J.C. Balcom)

Jay Christensen keeps a close eye on his home’s energy bills. As manager of a wholesale distribution company in Mandan that specializes, in part, in heating and cooling equipment, Christensen has watched the evolution of products and tried a variety of methods to help lower those bills. In a former house many years ago, he installed solar panels that didn’t prove to be cost-effective at the time. He later purchased a coal stove but found the handling of the coal to be a messy inconvenience.

When Christensen built his current home six years ago, the cost of propane seemed reasonable. But over time those large, biannual propane bills became more and more expensive, and improvements in electric heat products and their energy efficiency convinced him it was once again time to try something new.

After reading about the North Dakota Utility Rebate Program in North Dakota LIVING magazine, Christensen, a member of Capital Electric Cooperative from south Bismarck, and his wife, Dorothy, started asking around for recommendations.

One neighbor, Capital member Marty Marchello, expressed satisfaction with his air-source heat pump in conjunction with a plenum insert. Based on Marchello’s rave review and reasonable energy bills, Christensen called his electric cooperative and spoke with Josh Schaffner, member services assistant at Capital. Schaffner explained how Christensen could save a significant amount of money by taking advantage of the North Dakota Utility Rebate Program, federal tax incentives and future energy savings.

After purchasing the air-source heat pump and plenum, upgrading their home’s electric service and hiring contractors to install the equipment, the technology became functional in September. At that point, Christensen filled out an application for the North Dakota Utility Rebate Program and submitted it to his electric cooperative. Back at Capital headquarters, Schaffner reviewed the application to make sure it was complete and forwarded it to the North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives (NDAREC) in Mandan for processing. Less than two weeks later, Christensen received his rebate check for $1,600 in the mail.

“The rebate process went very fast,” he attests. “It was a great experience.”
The Christensens still use propane to power their water heater, fireplace and shop. The propane, in conjunction with the air-source heat pump and plenum, qualifies the couple for Capital’s off-peak and dual-fuel electric rates.

In November, it only cost the Christensens $60 to run their air-source heat pump and electric boiler, which provides in-floor heating in their basement. In December, their electric heat bill was $110.

“So far, I’ve been very pleased,” Christensen notes.

The low cost to heat their home is a welcome surprise for the Christensens. When they receive their federal tax credits for their investments in energy efficiency this spring, they will have another reason to smile. And when they decline their annual summer propane fill because they still have an abundance left in the tank, they will again be assured they made a smart choice.

Jay Christensen still plans on keeping a close eye on his home’s energy bills, but his temptation to try another heating and cooling product has faded. For now, he is thankful for efficient technology, a generous rebate and quality customer service from his electric cooperative.

Find out more about the Utility Rebate Program here.

Some federal tax credits ended at the end of December 2010, including those for heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC), insulation, roofs (metal and asphalt), water heaters (non-solar), biomass stoves, and windows and doors. However, federal tax credits are still available for renewable energy resources including geothermal heat pumps, small wind turbines (residential) and solar energy systems. For more details, visit www.energystar.gov. To learn what incentives exist in North Dakota, visit http://www.nd.gov/tax/taxincentives/.

Carmen Devney is a communications specialist for the North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives, Capital Electric Cooperative and Mor-Gran-Sou Electric Cooperative.