Virginia Rebate Program for Residential and Commercial Energy Efficiency Projects

The Virginia DMME’s Division of Energy will be providing $15 million in rebates for the installation of energy efficiency systems and devices in residential homes and commercial businesses.

Program Process:

Consumers wishing to receive a rebate through the Virginia Energy Efficiency Rebate program will be required to complete an application form, which will be available online from the Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy. Beginning Tuesday, October 6, consumers can take the first step in applying for this Rebate Program by signing up here:

http://www.virginia.gov/eerebates

When the web-based application process goes “live”, applicants will first register to reserve funding for their projects, and applicants will be notified if their application has been approved. This notification will authorize the applicant to initiate the work proposed in his application registration.

Once the energy efficiency installation work is completed, the applicant will need to provide follow-up documentation to verify that work has been completed and to measure the energy efficiency projected to be gained by the improvements made to the home or commercial facility. The applicant will need to submit a copy of receipts and back-up documentation to the DMME office for processing.

Program Elements:

The rebate program for energy efficiency improvements will focus on two discreet customer sector initiatives:

1. The Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program will provide $7 million for energy efficiency improvements and retrofits made by Virginia homeowners for replacement of major systems equipment, which may include:  

• Central A/C
• heat pumps
• furnaces
• boilers
• water heaters 
• window replacements 
• insulation
• programmable thermostats

Homeowners will be eligible to receive a specific rebate amount not to exceed 20% of the cost up to $2,000 per household, plus up to $250 of the cost of having an energy audit conducted by a certified auditor or contractor prior to commencement of the recommended energy efficiency work, if needed.

2. The Commercial Energy Efficiency Rebate Program will make $8 million available for energy efficiency improvements and retrofits made by small business, industrial and commercial facilities and buildings. Eligible efficiency technologies may include: 

• HVAC systems and controls
• Water heaters
• Window replacements
• Lighting upgrades
• Insulation
• High efficiency motors
• Compressed air or steam system upgrades

Commercial facilities will be eligible to receive a specific rebate amount not to exceed 20% of their cost up to a maximum amount of $4,000 per facility. 

Eligible products and systems purchased under both the residential and commercial energy efficiency rebate program will have to meet minimum energy efficiency ratings.  These ratings are available at http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=tax_credits.tx_index.