Search










 member_programs

2010 MEMBER PROGRAMS

   
 
Federal tax credits are available in 2010 for existing homes.
Click here for details!
   
 
Building a Touchstone Energy Home has benefits and added homeowner incentives!
   

Program rebates and incentives apply only to members of Firelands Electric Cooperative.  In order to receive incentive(s) listed, Firelands members must agree to participate in the co-op load management program; have a PeakBuster Radio Controlled Switch (RCS) device installed/tested for each electric water heater, electric central cooling system, and other applicable electric appliance(s) installed in the home.  By participating in Firelands’ load management program and receiving program incentives and rebates, member authorizes Firelands Electric Cooperative to install/inspect/replace the PeakBuster device(s) installed in member’s home at any time with reasonable notice.

Before program incentives, rebates or bill credits are issued, the new equipment must be inspected and approved by a Firelands technician and a PeakBuster Radio Controlled Switch (RCS) must be installed and/or inspected (no charge to the member).  RCS devices may be activated during peak demand periods primarily during the summer months of June, July, August, and September.  When the Cooperative experiences high electric demand on extremely hot, humid summer afternoons (2 pm to 6 pm), the RCS may be activated to temporarily cut power to the water heater circuit or reduce the run-time of cooling system compressors.  When the high peak demand loads begin to subside, power is restored.

Controlling electric water heaters and cooling systems during periods of high demand for electricity saves money for the cooperative and all of its members because less high-cost “peak” power is needed. 

ELECTRIC WATER HEATER PROGRAM:
 Incentives apply to members of Firelands who purchase and install an electric water heater that meets all cooperative rebate requirements.  Water heaters must be installed at a location receiving electric service from Firelands Electric Cooperative, and member must agree to participate in the cooperative load management program. Firelands provides FREE installation of PeakBuster load management devices.

Water heater repair service for elements and thermostats is available from Firelands Electric Cooperative at competitive pricing.  Water heater installation is not available.

WATER HEATER REBATES & INCENTIVES

  • NEW CONSTRUCTION or switching from fossil: (gas/propane/oil)
    $300 rebate* for qualifying 80-gallon or larger electric water heaters that meet Firelands’ incentive requirement.
    $100 bill credit* for qualifying 50-gallon electric water heaters that meet Firelands’ incentive requirement.

  • REPLACEMENT of existing electric water heater:
    $100 bill credit* for qualifying 50-gallon or larger electric water heaters that meet Firelands’ incentive requirement.

  • RCS LOAD MANAGEMENT DEVICE installed/upgraded:
    $25 bill credit* applies to 50-gallon or larger electric water heaters that DO NOT meet Firelands’ incentive requirement.
    $10 bill credit* for upgrade/replacement of old style (round) PeakBuster device with a new, more advanced device that includes peak control indicator light

*Firelands’ water heater incentive requirement is having an Energy Factor (E.F.) of 0.90 or greater is based on the GAMA Efficiency Rating Directory, AND a load management PeakBuster device must be installed and/or inspected to receive any water heater incentives.

PEAKBUSTER COOLING SYSTEM PROGRAM:
Firelands Electric must pay higher prices for electric energy purchased during times of high peak demand for electricity.  On very hot, humid summer days the demand for electricity goes up when everyone in the region turns on their cooling systems. This high peak demand for energy causes the price of electricity to increase for the cooperative and its members.

COOL RETURNS AIR CONDITIONING (A/C) PEAKBUSTER CONTROL
Firelands Electric must pay higher prices for electric energy purchased during times of high peak demand for electricity.  Peak demand for electricity generally occurs on very hot, humid summer afternoons between 2 PM and 6 PM.  This high peak demand for energy causes the price of electricity to increase for the co-op and its members. 

A Cool Returns PeakBuster load management device will be installed to limit the amount of time the cooling system compressor operates during Peak demand times on very hot summer afternoons.  The device is programmed so that the cooling system compressor will never be off more than 12 minutes during any half-hour period.  The system fan will continue to operate normally during peak demand times, circulating air throughout your home to maximize comfort.  The cooperative provides FREE installation of PeakBuster load management devices.

The cooperative reserves the right to decide whether to accept older or marginal central air conditioners, heat pumps and geothermal systems into the Cool Returns Program. The decision of Firelands’ Technician will be final.

COOL RETURNS A/C INCENTIVES

  • $100 installation incentive to install controls for central air conditioning systems and EXISTING heat pumps or geothermal systems that do not already have Cool Returns A/C load management devices installed.
  • $10 monthly bill credit during summer months of June, July, August, and September.
    The Cool Returns A/C installation incentive cannot be combined with other heat pump and geothermal incentives offered by Firelands Electric.

GEOTHERMAL & HEAT PUMP SYSTEM PROGRAM:
 Incentives apply to members of Firelands who purchase and install NEW geothermal and air-source heat pumps systems, which meet the Federal Tax Credit for Consumer Energy Efficiency standards and EER/COP or HSPF/SEER requirements.  Definitions and requirements are provided at www.energystar.gov.

Geothermal and air-source heat pumps must be installed at a location receiving electric service from Firelands Electric Cooperative. Member must agree to participate in the cooperative’s PeakBuster load management program and also is required to have a PeakBuster load management device installed on 50-gallon or larger electric water heater(s) located within the home. Firelands provides FREE installation of PeakBuster load management devices, and by participating in the cooperative’s load management program, member authorizes Firelands Electric Cooperative to install/inspect/replace the load management device(s) at any time with reasonable notice.

Rebates are NOT available for replacement units/systems. The Cool Returns Air Conditioning installation incentive cannot be combined with other geothermal/heat pump incentives offered by Firelands.

GROUND-SOURCE AND AIR-SOURCE HEAT PUMP INCENTIVES

  • GEOTHERMAL ground-source heat pump system:
    $800 rebate** for a NEW all-electric geothermal system that meets or exceeds Federal Tax Credit Energy Efficiency standards/requirements.
    $10 monthly bill credit** during summer months of June, July, August, and September.
  • AIR–SOURCE HEAT PUMP all-electric heating/cooling system:
    $500 rebate** for a NEW all-electric air-source heat pump system that meets or exceeds Federal Tax Credit Energy Efficiency standards/requirements.
    $10 monthly bill credit** during summer months of June, July, August, and September
  • DUAL FUEL air-source heat pump added to a fossil fuel system:
    $250 rebate** for a NEW dual-fuel air-source heat pump added to a fossil fuel (gas/propane/oil) furnace that meets or exceeds Federal Tax Credit Energy Efficiency standards/requirements.
    $10 monthly bill credit** during summer months of June, July, August, and September.

**Firelands’ members must provide a copy of the Manufacturer’s Certification Statement before a Geothermal or Heat Pump rebate will be processed.  The Manufacturer’s Certification Statement is a signed statement from the manufacturer certifying that the product or component qualifies for the federal tax credit.  Manufacturers should provide these Certifications on their web site. Contact the equipment dealer, call the manufacturer or search their web site to obtain a copy of the certification statement.  Taxpayers must keep a copy of the certification statement for their records, but do not have to submit a copy with their tax return.

NOTE:  In order to receive any incentive(s) listed, Firelands members must agree to have an applicable PeakBuster device installed for each electric water heater, electric central cooling system, or other applicable electric appliance(s) installed in the home.  Firelands members also must agree to have a PeakBuster* RCS installed for their electric water heater(s) in order to qualify for HVAC program incentives.  All rebates and incentives are subject to change without prior notice.

SECURITY LIGHTS:
Firelands offers FREE installation of security lighting (includes one pole), with twelve-month minimum contract required for all new installations. Click here to download Firelands' Security Lighting Contract.

  • $8.40 monthly rental—includes all maintenance and electricity use.
  • Additional pole rental is $1.00 each per month


 

 
© 2010 Firelands Electric Cooperative