Would you like to make your home more comfortable, energy-efficient and receive a cash incentive for doing so? When you replace your old air conditioner with a more efficient system (14 SEER or higher), you may qualify for a cash incentive ranging from $140 to $1,625, depending upon the size and efficiency of the air conditioning unit you choose.
In addition, when you make the switch to a more energy efficient system you may lower your energy bill as much as 10-30 percent. To make life in the desert more comfortable, most everyone relies on air conditioning to get through the hot summer months. It is this increased use of power due to our use of air conditioning that causes our electric bills to reach their highest point for the year. By making the switch to a high efficiency air conditioner, not only will you lower your power bill, you'll reduce the demand for the resources needed to generate power, which helps preserve our environment. So when you save, everyone saves.
To get your rebate you must:
- Ask your preferred HVAC contractor if they are a participant in the Program.
- All work and air conditioning equipment purchases must be completed after May 15, 2007.
- If you don't have a contractor you can locate a participating HVAC contractor by calling (702) 402-1111. Please read this disclaimer
- The HVAC contractor will perform a diagnostic assessment and estimate on the new A/C equipment.
- Have all work completed by the participating HVAC contractor.
- All necessary paperwork will be electronically submitted for you by the participating HVAC contractor.
- Retain a copy of the invoice and the Third Party Quality Control form from the HVAC contractor for auditing purposes.
- Rebates will be mailed within 30 days from when we receive the electronic filing.
To qualify for incentives:
- Customer must meet the minimum efficiencies for SEER, EER and HSPF rating when replacing heat pump units.
- Customer must meet the minimum efficiencies in both SEER and EER if replacing a gas pack.
- If replacing a split system (the air handler is separated from the condensing unit), please refer to the split system table to determine your incentive.
- If replacing a package unit, (the cooling and heating systems are in one unit), please refer to the package unit table to determine your incentive.
- A participating, licensed HVAC contractor must perform a refrigeration charge and airflow service. Optionally you can also have duct testing and seal service done to ensure you get the most from your new HVAC unit.
- Incentives are to promote energy efficiency and conservation and are not intended to cover the complete cost of equipment or services.
General Requirements:
Systems/units ranging from 1 1/2 - 5 tons must have a minimum SEER rating of 14 (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) and a minimum EER rating of 11 (Energy Efficiency Ratio). Heat pump systems must also have a minimum HSPF rating of 8 (Heating Season Performance Factor). Split systems require higher minimum efficiencies. Residential customers with an active electric meter serviced by Nevada Power. Multiple systems at the same address are eligible. A participating, licensed HVAC contractor must be used in order to qualify.
What is SEER?
A higher SEER number is better. The SEER will be listed prominently on the yellow-and-black Energy Guide. The SEER is an efficiency rating known as its seasonal energy efficiency ratios. The SEER is defined as the total cooling output in British thermal units or Btu provided by the unit during its normal annual usage period divided by its total energy input (in watt-hours during the same period).
What is EER?
EER stands for Energy Efficiency Ratio. It's the simple output of the equipment divided by the input. Again, a higher EER number is better. EER will also be listed prominently on the yellow-and-black Energy Guide and is an efficiency rating known as the energy efficiency ratio.
What is HSPF?
Heat pumps have a rating indicated known as Heating Seasonal Performance Factor or HSPF and a higher number is better. HSPF is a measure of a heat pump's energy efficiency over one heating season. It represents the total heating output of a heat pump (including supplementary electric heat) during the normal heating season (in Btu) as compared to the total electricity consumed (in watt-hours) during the same period.
Replacing Old Equipment: Why it is important?
A central A/C system is designed to last 12-18 years, so in some cases savings and reliability are limited due to equipment age. Your A/C contractor can help you decide when it is time to replace your old equipment with high efficiency equipment before your system breaks down and leaves you in the heat.
Duct Testing: Why Is It Important?
The ducts that are part of central heating and cooling systems offer one of the best opportunities to increase your energy efficiency, increase your comfort, and manage your energy bills. Studies indicate that 28%-35% of the heated or cooled air is lost-along with the money spent to heat or cool that air-through leaky ducts. Properly sized, installed, and sealed ductwork will make your heating and cooling systems significantly more efficient.
Refrigerant Charge and Airflow: Why is it important?
A system refrigerant check-up is a recommended service that should be performed when the equipment is first installed and during annual system check-ups. A refrigerant charge should be conducted if the system check indicates that one is needed. Once the system has been properly charged with refrigerant and has good airflow across the indoor coil, and assuming there is no damage to the duct system, only basic service such as changing filters and cleaning the outdoor unit annually should be needed to maintain the system operation at peak performance levels.
Tune Ups
When outside temperatures are below 55 degrees Fahrenheit, testing for proper refrigerant charge may not be possible.
For more information:
Telephone: (702) 402-1111 or email us at acprogram@nevadapower.com
Tune Up Your Air Conditioner!
As an alternative to replacing your HVAC unit you can also try getting an AC Tune UP.
Your car isn't the only thing that needs regular tune ups. Your air condition does too, and Nevada Power is working closely with our participating HVAC (Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning) contractors to promote regular air conditioning tune ups for our customers. Air conditioning and heating systems need to be properly tested and serviced to efficiently cool or heat a home. An air conditioner that is improperly charged with refrigerant (the stuff your A/C unit uses to cool the home), will run longer and work harder to do its job.
Up to 45% of new air conditioners and 65% of existing units may need refrigerant charge adjustments. In addition, your air conditioner or heater may need to be evaluated for proper airflow, leakage and temperature levels. These common problems among home systems can result in unnecessary energy consumption and higher energy bills.
During the spring and fall can be an ideal time to Tune Up your air conditioning and heating system in preparation for the summer and winter seasons. Ask one of our participating HVAC contractors listed on this page about A/C tune ups before the hot summer air conditioning season begins.
Contractor Disclaimer
Any list (or specific name) of contractors is provided as a convenience for customers, and is presented for information purposes only. It does not constitute an endorsement of these contractors, nor a preference among these contractors. The customer is solely responsible for arrangements for, and results of, any work performed by the contractor. When selecting air conditioning equipment, customers are encouraged to consider manufacturer and service information for their specific application, including reliability and performance characteristics of the equipment, parts availability, warranty and maintenance agreements, service charges and related cost information. Nevada Power does not endorse specific equipment manufacturers.
The lack of participation in this program on the part of any contractor does not reflect in any way on the quality or thoroughness of the contractor or the installation provided by the contractor.
