Energy
Learn about Energy Efficiency.
- Energy audits
- Efficiency rebates
- Little changes = big savings
What does it mean to Go Electric?
- Beneficial Electrification
- Electric Vehicle Rebates
- EV Charging Network
- Electric Tools and Appliances
- EV shopping tips
Life solves its problems with well-adapted designs... and smart material and energy use.
Energy Efficiency
As modern consumers, we can realize a variety of economic and environmental benefits by considering energy conservation. Fortunately, saving energy does not have to mean sacrificing comfort or convenience. Explore these options to learn how you can improve your building's energy efficiency.
What is Beneficial Electrification?
The application of electricity to end-uses that would otherwise consume fossil fuels, where doing so satisfies at least one of following conditions, without adversely affecting the others:
- save consumers money
- improve product quality, or consumer quality of life
- reduce [GHG] emissions
- foster a more resilient grid
Some examples would be heating your home with an electric heat pump rather than by burning natural gas; or replacing gas-engine powered tools like leaf blowers or weed whackers with electric versions; or traveling in an electric vehicle instead of a gasoline-burning one.
Looking for somewhere to charge your Electric Vehicle?
PlugShare has the answers.
What's our region doing to expand the
Electric Vehicle Infrastructure?
See the EV Readiness Plan, hosted by EcoAction Partners.
SMPA Residential and Commercial Rebates
Rebate Terms
Refer to individual rebate categories for additional terms and conditions.- Limit: One rebate per category, per year.
- All rebates are an “up-to” amount that will not exceed 50% of project cost unless otherwise specified under individual rebate terms.
- Itemized receipts, showing proof of purchase, and make and model information are required for all rebates.
- Rebate applications must be received within 60 days of product purchase/ delivery.
- Item must be installed at member account location within SMPA Territory, and are subject to potential inspection by rebate program staff. All rebates over $1000 will be scheduled for inspection.
- Rebates are offered while funds last.
- Only on-line rebate applications will be accepted.
- Rebate checks will be issued in the name of the applicant/ member and will be issued only to complete and qualifying applications.
- All rebates will be mailed to the mailing address on file with SMPA. You can verify or update your mailing address via your SmartHub account online.
- SMPA rebates are calculated after all other available incentives (not including tax credits) have been deducted.
- SMPA reserves the right to verify compliance with these terms, including but not limited to a physical site review.
- Qualifying applications must comply with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations, requirement, ordinances, codes and statutes.
- All terms, conditions and rules of the program are subject to change.
- Rebates for appliances or other applicable equipment are for permanent installations.
Only current SMPA members qualify for rebates. Please allow 90 days for complete rebate processing. An application submission does not guarantee a rebate. SMPA reserves the right to inspect and verify appliance installation to process any rebates. Rebate submittal must be within 60 days of purchase, delivery or Certificate of Occupancy (for new construction). Applications must be complete and an itemized receipt verifying purchase must be included. All applications must be submitted by December 15th to be eligible for posted incentive amount. Incomplete applications may be denied. Incomplete applications may be denied.
Looking for renewable energy rebates? Go here.
Questions? Please email rebates@smpa.com
Heat Pumps
Refer to this list of recommended contractors.
Here's more information on heat pumps.
Terms & Limitations for All Heat Pumps (See General Rebate Terms for additional terms and conditions.)
- $20,000 rebate maximum per project
- Maximum rebate of 50% of equipment and installation cost
- 8.5 HSPF2 Minimum or 10 HSPF Minimum
- 1 ton or 12,000 BTU/hour rated load capacity minimum
- One installation per account per year
- Itemized receipt required (invoice must be marked “PAID” and must include model number of outdoor unit and address of installation).
- Heat pumps must be installed to qualify for rebate
- AHRI certification and number required. Certificate will be required.
- Energy Star version 6.1 required
Air Source Heat Pump, Air to Water Heat Pump, Ground Source Heat Pump
Outdoor Mount $500/ton
Example: A 6 ton heat pump earns a $3000 rebate.
Appliances & Appliance Recycling
(See General Rebate Terms and Conditions for additional terms.)
- One rebate per category per year
- Itemized receipt required
Refrigerator/Freezer Disposal-Only Rebate
- Max 2 units per year
- Disposal only | 100% of cost up to $100
Clothes Dryer Rebate
- Energy Star certified required
- Hybrid Heat Pump Dryer | $180
Look up Energy Star appliances and learn more here: www.energystar.gov/products/appliances
- Most new refrigerator sales include disposal. Make sure this is indicated on the receipt
- Bruin Waste will pick up your old refrigerator for a fee - call 970-864-7531
- Bring your old refrigerator/Freezer to Tri-River Appliance in Montrose - call 970-249-9442
- Home Depot disposes of old refrigerators for a small fee with the purchase of a new refrigerator/freezer.
Induction Cooktops
- Replacement of old gas cooktop/range requires proof of old unit. Photograph of old unit is sufficient.
- Transition from electric to induction | $100
- Transition from natural gas or propane to induction; or new construction | $400
Whole House Fan
(See General Rebate Terms and Conditions)
- A whole house fan is a type of fan, commonly venting into a home’s attic, designed to circulate air in the home. Commonly mistaken for attic ventilation. For any interpretation of the qualification of an item as a whole house fan please contact program staff.
- Replacement or new construction | $200
- Itemized receipt required with model number
- Limit 2 per member
Smart Thermostats
(See General Rebate Terms and Conditions)
- Electric only
- $25 per thermostat
- Limit 2 thermostats for standard/low voltage; limit 5 thermostats for line-voltage
- Itemized receipt required
- Product model information required
- Energy Star certified required
- Must be installed
= Time-based-rate Friendly
Electric Water Heaters
(See General Rebate Terms and Conditions)
New Construction
- Electric Resistance Water Heater
- 30 Gallon & above | $150
- Must have timer/controller installed and operable
- Photo of installed timer required
- Air Source Heat Pump Water Heater
- 30 Gallon & above | $700
- Must be EnergyStar certified
- May have a back-up resistance element
Fuel Switching
- Electric Resistance Water Heating
- 30 Gallon & Above | $150
- Installation: 50% of installation cost up to $100
- Must have timer/controller installed and operable
- Photo of installed timer is required
- Photo of gas water heater replacing is required
- Air Source heat Pump Water Heater
- 30 Gallon & Above | $700
- Installation: 50% of installation cost up to $100
- Must be Energy Star certified
- May have back-up resistance element
- Photo of gas water heater replacing is required
Timer (only)
- Timers added to existing or new electric water heaters | 100% of timer cost up to $75
- Installation of timer 50% of cost up to $100
- 30 amp minimum
- Photo of installed timer is required
- Photo of gas water heater replacing if fuel switching
= Time-based-rate Friendly
Heat Cable Automation
(See General Rebate Terms and Conditions)
- Permanent installations only
- Minimum 3000 watts (3kW) of heat cable under control
- Installation/programming must ensure that Heat Cable is never operable from 4:00pm – 9:00pm daily, and achieve a 90% reduction is kWh usage yearly
- Incentive is capped at 50% of product and installation cost
- Incentive amount: $220 per kW of controlled Heat Cable
- Itemized paid invoice must show number of Watts or kW.
= Time-based-rate Friendly
The information in this video is presented for the purposes of general knowledge and understanding, not as an advertisement.
Outdoor Electric Power Equipment
(See General Rebate Terms and Conditions)
- New Equipment Only
- Battery or corded qualify
- Minimum purchase price of $50
- Itemized receipt required
- Members are limited one rebate per power equipment product type per year. Requests for considerations around this may be for commercial landscape providers, but this must be done prior to the rebate being filed.
- An aggregated maximum rebate of $600 per member applies to listed equipment except riding lawnmowers (stand-alone $1,000 cap per member account)
- Additional batteries purchased with and for qualifying equipment can be included with original purchase rebate application (one additional battery per product limit).
- Replacement or battery-only purchases are not eligible.
- Multi-piece equipment combinations are eligible for individual rebate amounts provided $50 cost minimum is met
Lawn Mower
36 Volt minimum (or corded) | 50% of cost up to $200
Electric Riding Mower
48 Volt minimum (or corded) | 50% of cost up to $1000
Snow Blower
36 Volt minimum (or corded) | 50% of cost up to $200
2-stage snowblower | 50% of cost up to $300
Trimmer / Pruner / Leaf Blower / Power Washer
18 Volt Minimum (or corded) | 50% of cost up to $150
Chainsaw
18 Volt Minimum (or corded) | 50% of cost up to $100
Additional Batteries with Equipment
50% of cost up to $25
Batteries with original equipment purchase only
Limit 1 additional battery per product
= Time-based-rate Friendly
Thank you to the Telluride Foundation and the Pinhead Climate Institute for joining in to expand this rebate program with generous donations.
Electric Vehicle Charging Equipment
(See General Rebate Terms and Conditions)
- All equipment and installation costs are required to be submitted on one application
- Limit one rebate per consumer account per year.
- Equipment must be new; used equipment does not qualify.
- Itemized invoices for EV charging equipment and electric service installation are required.
- Photo of installed EVSE and circuit in service panel required.
Level 2 Residential/Private Commercial Charger
- 50% cost match of EV charging equipment up to $250 maximum, and 50% up to $250 maximum for electric service installation (≤$500 Total)
- Data collection capability not required, but encouraged
Level 2 Public Charger
- 50% cost match of EV charging equipment cost and installation up to $2000 maximum
- Data collection capability is required with the following fields:
- Time and date
- Charge duration
- Energy delivered in kWh
- Cost recovered
Level 3 DC Fast Charger
- 50% of EV charging equipment and installation costs up to $3,000 for 50-75kW maximum station output
- 50% of EV charging equipment and installation costs up to $5,000 for 76-149kW maximum station output
- 50% of EV charging equipment and installation costs up to $7,500 for 150 kW and above
- Data collection capability is required with the following fields:
- Time and date
- Charge duration
- Energy delivered in kWh
- Cost recovered
= Time-based-rate Friendly
(See General Rebate Terms and Conditions.)
- $750 for RE/PV battery systems of 6kWh or larger
Does not apply to IC generators
= Time-based-rate Friendly
Electric Commuter Bicycles
(See General Rebate Terms and Conditions)
- 25% of cost up to $150
= Time-based-rate Friendly
Timers
(See General Rebate Terms and Conditions)
- 100% of timer cost up to $75
- 50% of cost, $100 maximum for installation if applicable
- 30 amp minimum, permanent installed equipment only
- Photo showing installation required
Variable Speed Drive Retrofit
(See General Rebate Terms and Conditions)
New and Retrofit
The incentives will be the lower of:
- 50% of the cost of the VSD unit or,
- Project cap of $20,000
- Reference table:
Motor Nameplate hp Incentive Less than 25 No Incentive 25 $1,600 30 $1,750 40 $2,050 50 $2,350 60 $2,650 75 $3,100 100 $3,800 125 $4,600 150 $5,300 200 $6,800 250 $6,800 Larger than 250 $6,800
- Reference table:
Electric Thermal Storage
Controlled Off-Peak ETS
(See General Rebate Terms and Conditions)
- Minimum 1 kW | $40/kW
- Units must be controlled by a timer or a master control system
= Time-based-rate Friendly
Residential & Commercial Energy Audits
(See General Rebate Terms and Conditions)
- A minimum of a walkthrough energy audit must be performed by a BPI or RESNET certified auditor
- Applications must be received within 60 days of audit
- Itemized paid invoice required
- Copy of Energy Audit assessment/findings required
Residential Energy Audit
- Member accounts with a residential electric rate | $100
Commercial Energy Audit
- Member accounts with a commercial electric rate | $250
(Application Coming Soon.)
Thanks to EcoAction Partners, San Miguel County's Sustainability Organization, for administering many of our Energy Efficiency and Beneficial Electrification rebates.
Learn more about Beneficial Electrification on this podcast.
Our wholesale power provider has launched the Beneficial Electrification League of Colorado (BEL-CO). Read more.