Everyone has an interest in energy efficiency and environmental sustainability, including the companies that sell us our power. Energy supplies know that they have an important role to play in helping their customers live more energy efficient lives, so much so that they are willing to put their money where their mouths are.
Those energy suppliers know that wasteful energy habits put an undue strain on the electric grid, putting their customers in danger of rolling blackouts and other supply disruptions. That is one reason why many energy suppliers are offering rebates and other financial incentives to customers who upgrade their old appliances and equipment to newer more energy-efficient models.
If you have recently upgraded your own home and bought new appliances, you may be wondering if you qualify for those energy-saving rebates. Finding out whether you qualify, and what you need to do to get your check, is a multi-step process, and that process is outlined below.
Step 1 – Take an Inventory
You cannot start researching rebates until you know what you have in your home. If you recently bought new appliances or a new heating or cooling system, dig out those manuals and other materials. Note the model numbers, part numbers and serial numbers of each energy-efficient appliance in your home and record it in a safe place.
Step 2 – Go Online
If your energy supplier offers rebates for energy-efficient appliances, that information should be listed on their website. You may have to do a bit of digging and search the site to find the information, but it should be there.
Step 3 – Contact Your Energy Supplier
If you cannot find the rebate information on your energy supplier’s website, you can always call their customer service number. Tell the representative who you are and why you are calling, then wait to be transferred to the right person. Once you are connected, you can ask about the rebate program and see if your equipment qualifies.
Step 4 – Grab Your Latest Energy Bill
You will need your account number to claim your energy efficiency rebate, and you can find that information on your bill. Dig out your most recent bill, find the account number and get ready to claim your big check.
Step 5 – Contact Your Energy Supplier for the Forms You Need
If your current equipment qualifies for a rebate, you will need to fill out the forms your energy supplier provides. Check for those forms online and download them, or contact your supplier by home and ask that they be sent to you.
Step 6 – Fill Out the Forms
Once you have the forms in hand, you can simply use the serial numbers, part numbers and other information you recorded earlier. Be sure to make copies of the completed forms for your records, and follow up with the energy supplier if you have not received your money in a month or two.
Replacing your old inefficient appliances and HVAC equipment with newer and more efficient models is always a smart thing to do, but the presence of rebates and other incentives can make it an even smarter move. So take a look around your home, check your energy supplier’s website, and get ready to save.