Energy-Saving Rebates
Minnesota Energy Resources offers Prescriptive and Custom rebates for commercial or industrial customers to encourage upgrades to new high-efficiency equipment.
- Prescriptive Rebate Program
- Commercial/Industrial Technologies Rebate Program
- Custom Rebate Program
- Additional Incentives
- Sample Projects
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Prescriptive Rebate Program
Installing energy-efficient technology is a smart way to lower your energy bills. Energy-efficient water heaters, furnaces and other heating system measures installed in new construction, replacement and retrofit projects are eligible for rebates.
To apply for a Prescriptive rebate, download and fill out the application:
Heating and Water Heating System Equipment
| Equipment or Service | Rebate |
|---|---|
| Energy Star Electronic Setback Thermostat | $40 |
| High Efficiency Air-Forced Furnaces | |
| >=92% AFUE | $200 |
| >= 94% AFUE | $250 |
| Tankless Water Heater >=.82 EF | $250 per Unit |
| Drain Water Heat Recovery System | $175 |
| Low Intensity Infrared Heater | $250 |
| Food Service Products | |
| Convection Oven | $500 |
| Combi Oven | $1,000 |
| High Efficiency Fryer | $700 |
| Rotating Rack Oven | $500 |
| Broiler - Infrared, Upright | $600 |
| Charbroilers - Infrared | $300 |
| Conveyor Oven | $750 |
| Pasta Cooker | $200 |
| Rotisserie Ovens - Infrared | $500 |
| Salamander Broilers - Infrared | $150 |
Commercial/Industrial Technologies Rebate Program
Installing energy-efficient technology is a smart way to lower your energy bills. Energy-efficient water heaters, furnaces and other heating system measures installed in new construction, replacement and retrofit projects are eligible for rebates.
To apply for a C/I Technologies rebate, download and fill out the application:
Natural gas equipment eligibility and rebate amounts are listed below:
C/I Technologies Rebates
| Equipment or Service | Rebate Amount |
|---|---|
| Continuous Modulating Burners (retrofits to existing boilers only) | 25% of equipment cost; $15,000 cap per burner |
| New Hot Water Space Heating Boilers | Boiler less than or equal to 300,000 BTU/hour output; min 85% AFUE | $500/MMBTU + $200/MMBTU per percentage point above min. AFUE (max $750) |
| 300,001 to 999,999 BTU/hour output min 83% AFUE | $500/MMBTU + $200/MMBTU per percentage point above min. AFUE (max $2,500) |
| 1,000,000 to 9,999,999 BTU/hour output min 83% AFUE | $500/MMBTU + $200/MMBTU per percentage point above min. AFUE (max $5,000) |
| New High Pressure Steam Space Heating Boilers (>15 psig operating pressure) | Boiler less than or equal to 300,000 BTU/hour output; min 81.5% AFUE | $500/MMBTU + $200/MMBTU per percentage point above min. AFUE (max $750) $15,000 cap |
| 300,001 to 999,999 BTU/hour output min 81.5% AFUE | $500/MMBTU + $200/MMBTU per percentage point above min. AFUE (max $2,500) |
| 1,000,000 to 9,999,999 BTU/hour output min 81.5% AFUE | $500/MMBTU + $200/MMBTU per percentage point above min. AFUE (max $5,000) |
| New Low Pressure Steam Space Heating Boilers (<= 15 psig operating pressure) | |
| Boiler less than or equal to 300,000 BTU/hour output; min 83% AFUE | $500/MMBTU + $200/MMBTU per percentage point above min. AFUE (max $750) |
| 300,001 to 999,999 BTU/hour output min 83% AFUE | $500/MMBTU + $200/MMBTU per percentage point above min. AFUE (max $2,500) |
| 1,000,000 to 9,999,999 BTU/hour output min 83% AFUE | $500/MMBTU + $200/MMBTU per percentage point above min. AFUE (max $5,000) |
| Other Heating and Water Heating System Equipment | |
| Gas Fired Boiler Tune Up (min. boiler size >=1 million BTU/hour) | 50% of cost up to $500 - Boiler is eligible for tune-up every 2 years |
| Boiler Reset Control | $150 per control system; not to exceed equipment cost |
| Boiler Cut-Out Control | $150 per control system; not to exceed equipment cost |
| Vent Dampers | 50% of equipment cost with a $500 cap per boiler |
| Steam Traps | 25% of cost up to $250/trap |
| O2 Trim Control | 25% of cost up to $5,000 |
You may also qualify for an Energy Audit rebate. To qualify for the audit rebate, see the information under Energy-Saving Audits. A complete copy of the audit and proof of payment must accompany the Prescriptive Rebate application.
Custom Rebate Program
While prescriptive rebates have a set rebate amount and efficiency requirements for specific gas equipment, a custom rebate is tailored to specific projects that do not qualify for prescriptive rebates. By taking advantage of the Custom Rebate Program, you may be able to reduce monthly energy costs and shorten the payback period of your new equipment. Examples of qualifying equipment include:
- Boilers that are not eligible for a prescriptive rebate
- Commercial Water Heating Equipment
- Heat Recovery Ventilators
- Efficient HVAC Systems
- Unit Heaters/Duct Furnaces
- Other Approved Measures
All projects will be individually reviewed. Rebates are based on a portion of the cost difference between standard product and high efficiency products and practices and are calculated as the lesser of:
- A buy down to a 1 year payback
- $15.00 per MCF saved during the first year
- Full incremental cost
Terms and Conditions
- Participant must be a Minnesota Energy Resources commercial or industrial customer.
- All projects must be completed during the program year (January through December 2009), and all applications and final invoices must be received by Jan. 31 of the following year.
- Subject to regulatory rules and orders, Minnesota Energy Resources reserves the right to change any portion of this program or to end this program without notice.
- Where applicable, energy efficiency ratings must comply with those listed in the Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association (GAMA) Directory.
- Project must pass the Minnesota Energy Resources cost-effectiveness test.
- All projects will be individually reviewed. Rebates are based on a
portion of the cost difference between standard and high efficiency products
and practices. The amount of the rebate will also depend on the following criteria:
- Annual energy use reduction
- Annual energy cost savings
A final, itemized invoice for all materials and labor related to the installation must be submitted upon completion of the project.
To apply for a Custom rebate, download and fill out the application:
You will need to provide project specific information, such as equipment type, size, efficiency and cost. The program administrator may contact you for further information.
Additional Incentives
There are also several energy efficiency incentives and programs available through local, utility, state and federal organizations. The following links provide additional information on these programs and incentives:
Program Information-Descriptions:
- Energy Star ®
- The Tax Incentives Assistance Project (TIAP)
- Commercial Building Tax Deduction Coalition
- Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE)
Federal Tax Rule and Forms:
Sample Projects
Take a look at how these businesses have taken advantage of the Minnesota Energy Resources Custom Rebate Program.