Air Conditioner Rebate

The Air Conditioner Rebate program provides incentives to CWLP residential electric customers who install qualifying central split-system air conditioners in their homes either as first-time central cooling systems or as replacements for existing central heat pumps or air conditioners. Commercial customers are not eligible to participate in this program.

To qualify for the rebate, the air conditioner must have an energy efficiency rating of at least 13.0 EER and 16.0 SEER and a cooling capacity ("size") of less than 72,000 BTU per hour (72 kBTUh).¹ If the new system is being installed as a replacement for an existing central heat pump or air conditioner, the A-coil must also be replaced. There is no limit on the number of qualifying units per property that can earn a rebate, and each qualifying unit will be eligible for a rebate of $9 per kBTUh of cooling capacity. The total amount of your rebate will depend on both the number of qualifying units you install and the cooling capacity of each. For instance, if you were to install two two-ton¹ (24 kBTUh) air conditioners, your total rebate would be $432 ($9/kBTUh x 24 kBTUh x 2).

In addition to the qualifications listed above, the following eligibility criteria apply to the Air Conditioner Rebate program:

n	All units must be installed by an HVAC contractor licensed to operated in Springfield, IL.
n	System capacities and EERs/SEERs will be verified by ratings provided by the Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) Directory of Certified Unitary Equipment. CWLP reserves the right to adjust the customer- or dealer-calculated rebate amount to bring it in line with capacity and efficiency ratings provided by AHRI. In cases of unmatched systems where no ratings are provided by AHRI, the HVAC contractor must provide EER/SEER and cooling capacity information from the manufacturer.
n	You must complete and return your Air Conditioner Rebate Application to CWLP within one year of the installation date. The application must be signed by both you and your HVAC contractor and accompanied by a detailed proof of purchase that includes the system cost.
n	CWLP reserves the right to conduct on-site inspections of all installations prior to granting rebates.

The Air Conditioner Rebate Application can be downloaded from this website or can be obtained by contacting the CWLP Energy Services Office by phone at 789-2070 or by email at nrgxprts@cwlp.com. The online form can be filled in online but it cannot be submitted electronically. You can mail your completed form, or return it in person, to:

CWLP Energy Services Office

2nd Floor

231 S. 6th Street

Springfield, IL 62701

Your rebate will be issued in the form of a check once the installation and information on the application have been verified.

Funding for this program is limited and is available on a first-come/first-served basis. The offer is subject to change without notice.

Why Worry About Efficiency?
A cooling system's efficiency level is important because the more efficient the system you install, the more it will save you in annual operating costs. For example, if you currently have an old 8 SEER unit that costs $280 a year to run, you could cut your operating costs in half by replacing it with a new 16 SEER model. The chart below compares estimated annual operating costs and rebate amounts for central air conditioners with different SEER levels and cooling capacities. Cost of operation is based on 1,000 hours of operation per year at an average cost of 9¢ per kWh.

COOLING CAPACITY

13.0 SEER

16.0 SEER

18.0 SEER

24,000 BTUh (24 kBTUh; 2 tons)	operating cost	$172	$140	$124
24,000 BTUh (24 kBTUh; 2 tons)	rebate	$0	$216	$216
30,000 BTUh (30 kBTUh; 2.5 tons)	operating cost	$215	$175	$155
30,000 BTUh (30 kBTUh; 2.5 tons)	rebate	$0	$270	$270
36,000 BTUh (36 kBTUh; 3 tons)	operating cost	$258	$210	$186
36,000 BTUh (36 kBTUh; 3 tons)	rebate	$0	$324	$324
42,000 BTUh (42 kBTUh; 3.5 tons)	operating cost	$301	$245	$218
42,000 BTUh (42 kBTUh; 3.5 tons)	rebate	$0	$378	$378
48,000 BTUh (48 kBTUh; 4 tons)	operating cost	$344	$280	$249
48,000 BTUh (48 kBTUh; 4 tons)	rebate	$0	$432	$432
54,000 BTUh (54 kBTUh; 4.5 tons)	operating cost	$387	$315	$280
54,000 BTUh (54 kBTUh; 4.5 tons)	rebate	$0	$486	$486

One kBTUh equals 1,000 British thermal units (BTUs) per hour. Each "ton" of cooling capacity built into a heat pump or air conditioner equals 12 kBTUh (12,000 BTUh). Residential central cooling systems typically range in size from two to four tons of cooling capacity (24 to 48 kBTUh). A qualifying three-ton (36 kBTUh) split-system central air conditioner would qualify for a $324 rebate ($9 x 36 kBTUh).