N.D. Utility Rebate Program
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the program start?
Rebates are only available for designated products or services that were purchased, installed or rendered, and invoiced on or after June 1, 2010.How long does the program last?
Rebates are provided on a first come, first served basis. The program will end on December 31, 2011 or when the rebate funds are expended, whichever occurs first. Priority of rebate payments will be determined by the date a qualifying, completed application is received at the NDAREC office in Mandan, N.D.How much money is available through this program?
Working with and on behalf of North Dakota’s electric distribution cooperatives, the North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives received a grant for $2.4 million to provide approximately $1.3 million in energy efficiency rebates and $800,000 in renewable energy rebates.*(Note: The initial grant was revised in August 2011 by the North Dakota Department of Commerce to include an additional $175,208 in funding for the North Dakota Utility Rebate Program administered by the state's rural electric cooperatives.)
How will we know how much money is left?
Check our "Funds Available" page for weekly updates.How soon can I apply for my rebate to be sure I get one?
You can not apply for a rebate until the project is completed. Applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis and no rebates will be issued or honored once the rebate funds are depleted.Who is eligible for the rebate program?
See eligibility rules for complete information.If I live out-of-state and have a hunting cabin in North Dakota, can I qualify for a residential rebate for this property?
No, residential rebates are for North Dakota residents only. See eligibility rules for more information.As a North Dakota resident, can I get a rebate for improvements made to my Minnesota lake home?
No, all improvements must be made to property in the state of North Dakota.Are rebates available for new construction and existing facilities?
Yes, except that insulation rebates are available for existing homes only. For specific details on equipment requirements see program description.Can I receive a rebate for insulating my garage or shop?
Garages, storage areas, and buildings that are not heated by a central heating system cannot qualify for an insulation rebate. Remember, if your primary heat source is natural gas, contact your heating utility, Montana-Dakota Utilities (MDU) or Xcel Energy, to apply for an insulation rebate.Where do I get rebate application forms?
You or your contractor should contact your local electric cooperative for application forms and other program information. Forms are also available here.Do other utilities offer similiar rebate programs?
All North Dakota utilities offer a rebate program, but each program is different. Visit the websites of the following utilities to get more information about their rebate programs: Montana-Dakota Utilities (MDU); Otter Tail Power Company (OTP), and Xcel Energy. In addition, residential customers interested in installing new, high efficiency propane boilers, water heaters, or furnaces should contact the Propane Gas Association for information rebate information.”Who do I contact about an energy audit or insulation rebate or a boiler or furnace rebate if I get my electricity from my co-op but my home is heated by natural gas or propane?
Co-op customers whose homes are heated primarily by electricity, propane, or fuel oil should contact your local co-op for an energy audit or insulation rebate, but propane customers should contact the Propane Gas Association (put in hot link) for rebates on high efficiency propane furnaces or water heaters. Co-op customers whose homes are heated primarily with natural gas should contact their natural gas utility Montana-Dakota Utilities (MDU) or Xcel Energy, for rebates for energy audits, insulation or on high efficiency natural gas boilers or furnaces. For all other rebates, contact your local electric cooperative.If I install two geothermal heat pumps, neither of which is more than the 5.5 ton maximum, can I get a rebate on one of these heat pumps?
Not if the two heat pumps are part of a single system that exceeds the 5.5 ton maximum. The 5.5 ton maximum refers to the total of the heat pump system, so if the combined tonnage of the system exceeds 5.5 tons, you cannot qualify for a rebate. If you have two heat pumps that are independent, not connected, serve separate spaces, and have different well fields, then you can apply for a rebate on both systems up to the maximum residential rebate total of $5,000.Are there equipment requirements that must be met to receive the rebate?
Yes, the efficiencies or other requirements are identified on the rebate application forms. In addition, higher rebates are offered for higher efficiencies in some rebate categories.For example a Tier 2 air conditioning unit qualifies for a higher rebate than a Tier 1 unit and it also qualifies for a Federal Income Tax credit. See this chart for more specific details.
Is there a separate form for gas and electric service?
Each utility has its own rebate program and forms. If you are interested in a rebate for natural gas contact your investor-owned utility. If you are interested in a rebate for a propane furnace contact the North Dakota Propane Gas Association.Who is responsible for getting the rebate application form turned in to my cooperative?
The applicant or the applicant's contractor can deliver the rebate application form to their local electric cooperative. Your electric cooperative will determine if the form is properly completed.Will there be an inspection after the equipment is installed?
Generally, you should expect that your local electric cooperative will inspect the completed project.After my application is submitted to the cooperative, when can I expect to receive my rebate?
In most cases you should receive your rebate within 30 days.Are there special requirements to receive commerical rebates?
Yes. In general, commercial rebates are different from residential rebates. Contractors who pay employees to work on certain construction/installation projects paid for in whole or in part with rebates funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Stimulus Act) must not pay less than prevailing wages/fringe benefits for the county where the project is located, as required by the Davis-Bacon Act. Under the Utility Rebate Program, in order to get the commercial rebates for photovoltaics and wind turbines or custom design projects involving construction/installation, the applicant or his/her contractor must complete form WH-347 and provide documentation that the contractor paid Davis-Bacon wages/fringe benefits on a weekly basis to the employee(s) performing the work on the project. Self-employed contractors or individuals who have an equity interest of 20 percent or more in the contracting business do not have to pay themselves Davis-Bacon wages, but must still return form WH-347 with a notation indicating that they are a self-employed contractor. See more about Davis-Bacon here.I have a commercial facility and want to make improvements not listed on the rebate
form…am I eligible?
It depends. Any special projects must be PRE-APPROVED by the electric cooperative under the custom design rebate, and is eligible for no more than 50% of the project cost up to $15,000. Residential improvements not listed on the residential rebate application are not eligible for a rebate. See program description for more details.If I have a farm can I apply for both residential and commercial rebates?
No, farms must choose either the residential or commercial rebate application, but cannot do both on the same farm location. However, a farmer who has a residence separate from the farm operation may be able to treat the farm as a commercial operation and still apply for a rebate on his/her unrelated residential home.If you are interested in this program and have additional questions contact your local electric cooperative.
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