Naperville Residents May Be Eligible for Energy Efficiency Program

Qualified Naperville residents who have upgraded their furnace and air conditioning units at the same time may be eligible for financial rebates through a new energy efficiency program offered by the Illinois Municipal Electric Agency (IMEA). 

The Nicor/Municipal Residential Natural Gas and Electric Efficiency Pilot Program is divided into two components: a “Complete System Replacement” rebate program and a “Multi-Family Comprehensive Energy Efficient Program.” To participate, residents must be customers of Nicor Gas and they must receive electricity service from Naperville’s Department of Public Utilities.

Owners of single-family homes or multi-family dwellings of three units or less can participate in the Complete System Replacement component. Homeowners can qualify for rebates when they replace inefficient central air conditioners and furnaces with more efficient units between Monday, October 14, 2013, and Friday, March 14, 2014. Rebate levels are based on the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio rating (or SEER rating) of the new central air conditioning unit and the Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (or AFUE) of the new furnace.

Upgrading to a more energy-efficient furnace with an AFUE of at least 92% percent and a central air conditioner with a SEER rating of at least 14.5 can qualify the homeowner for a rebate of $700 to $1,000. Rebate levels can increase if the homeowner installs qualifying equipment with higher efficiency ratings and includes a programmable thermostat. For more information, call (877) 886-4239 or visit www.NicorGasRebates.com/municipal-CSR to view the complete list of program requirements.

Applications must be submitted to MunicipalRebate@NicorGasRebates.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it within 90 days of installation or by March 31, 2014, whichever comes first. Funding is limited and participants are strongly encouraged to submit applications as soon after installation as possible.

Managers or owners of condominiums or apartment complexes of more than five units may be eligible to participate in the Multi-Family Comprehensive Energy Efficient Program component. All apartment or condo units at participating buildings will receive compact fluorescent light bulbs, water saving shower heads, kitchen and bathroom aerators, and programmable thermostats and hot water temperature setbacks, when feasible. Program implementers are reaching out to property management companies, condo associations and building owner associations to make them aware of these offerings.

Both components of this program are being offered to qualified residents of Farmer City, Naperville, Princeton, Rantoul, Rock Falls, St. Charles and Winnetka as a result of a $325,000 grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO). While funding lasts, the costs of all electric efficiency measures and rebates offered through this program are being paid with money from the DCEO grant. Nicor Gas pays all costs related to the program’s natural gas energy efficiency measures and rebates.

The DCEO grant is being administered by the Illinois Municipal Electric Agency (IMEA), which is the City of Naperville’s wholesale electric supplier. Members of the IMEA Board of Directors, elected officials of IMEA member municipalities and employees of IMEA may not participate in this program.

For more information about the program, call (877) 886-4239 or visit www.NicorGasRebates.com/municipal-CSR. 

Submitted by the city of Naperville