Southwest Electric Cooperative will continue with the Take Control and Save Heat Pump Rebate program through 2012, however, Associtated Electric Cooperaive has announced some important changes to the program.

For Dual Fuel Heat Pumps:

Beginning January 1, 2012 all dual fuel heat pumps must be energy star qualified with a minimum SEER rating of 16.5.  The dual fuel heat pump must have a back-up, automatic thermostat controlled natural gas, propane, or fuel oil heating system for supplemental heat.  Please note: Wood burning systems are not eligible as back-up for heating.

Eligibility criteria include:

1. Must be a member of the cooperative (all classes of customers are included)

2. New home and building construction

3. Replacement of electric resistance heat

4. Replacement of an existing dual-fuel heat pump

The rebate for a dual fuel heat pump is $150.00 per ton.

For Ground Source Heat Pumps:

Beginning January 1, 2012 all Geothermal Heat Pumps must be energy star qualified with a minimum EER rating of 19.1.  The ground source heat pump must be installed with a Delta T of 80, with a Manual J calculation used to support the Delta T.  Heat pumps not installed to a Delta T of 80 will not be eligible for a rebate through Southwest Electric cooperative. The electric backup heat must be separated from the ground-source unit with a separate breaker and must be wired to only act as second stage supplemental heat on a two-stage thermostat or as emergency heat. The cooperative must determine if a minimum of R-38 insulation is present in the ceiling and a minimum of R-13 is present in the walls.

Eligibility Criteria include:

1. Must be a member of the cooperative (all classes of customers are included)

2. On new home and building construction

3. Replacement of electric resistance heat

4. Replacement of an existing dual-fuel or ground-source heat pump

5. Replacement of existing natural gas or propane heating system

The rebate for Geothermal Heat Pumps is $750.00 per ton on new units including a loop system, and $200.00 per ton for the replacement of indoor units. For the replacement of the indoor unit only (does not include loop system), it must be a gain of 3 EER ratings in addition to meeting the program requirements.

A 10 ton limit applies to residential installations and a 50 ton limit to commercial installations.

Click here for full rebate details.