HVAC Rebate Qualifications and Terms

Program Summary:

The purpose and objective of the BPUB A/C Rebate Program covers a multitude of concepts. Brownsville Public Utilities Board’s A/C Rebate Program aims to:

• Reduce BPUB’s peak load
• Reward BPUB customers for green initiatives and efforts
• Reduce monthly customer energy consumption
• Reduce potential and/or existing customer’s overall monthly bill
• Provide ENERGY STAR® rated appliance awareness to the community
• Reduce environmental emissions
• Promote energy efficiency and conservation to BPUB’s residential and small business customers.

The BPUB A/C Rebate Program provides incentives in the form of a credit to the customer account for professionally installing an energy-efficient A/C unit:

• Central air conditioning units
• Heat pumps
• Split systems
• Packaged systems with a SEER rating of 15/SEER2 14.3 or greater
• ENERGY STAR® rated window or wall-mounted air conditioning units.

The rebate amount is dependent on the SEER rating of the central air conditioning unit and heat pump (see Table A). The rebate amount for window and wall-mounted air conditioning units are dependent on the BTU/hr ratio (see Table B).

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BPUB A/C Rebate Program Qualifications:

The rebate program is designed for BPUB electric residential customers. Applicants for rebates must be a tenant or property owner. BPUB will not compensate the contractor for installation or any additional service. All equipment must be purchased. Rebate applications must be received by BPUB within forty-five (45) days of equipment installation. The address on the account must match the address of the installation. BPUB is not responsible for equipment warranty.

Central Air Conditioning & Heat Pump

Central air conditioning units include: split units; self-contained (package) units; and mini-split systems. Applications are subject to verification. If the verification cannot be completed, the rebate will not be paid. Applications must be completed and submitted within thirty (30) days of installation of the unit(s). Please allow 3-6 weeks after receipt of all documentation for the rebate to be issued. Rebate recipient must be a current customer of BPUB electric services. Removed equipment will not qualify for rebate. Rebates can be for replacing existing older units or for new construction. Five (5) ton limitation per unit.

Rebate amount is based on the AHRI published efficiency ratio – Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER). Both the evaporator coil (inside unit) and the condensing unit (outside unit) must be replaced as a matching system as rated in the Air-Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration Institute. AHRI reference number must be noted on the application. Program may be discontinued by BPUB at any time. A maximum of two (2) central air conditioning units will qualify for rebate per BPUB account. Rebates are contingent upon fund availability.

A copy of the purchase receipt or invoice and AHRI reference number must be submitted with the rebate application*(see application). Central air conditioning unit(s) and heat pump(s) must be installed by a Texas Air Condition Licensed (TACL) contractor.

It is recommended that a Manual J be properly completed by the customer’s designated air conditioning contractor/installer and a copy be obtained by the homeowner or small business owner. It is the responsibility of the homeowner or small business owner to request and obtain a copy of a Manual J from the air conditioning contractor/installer. Upon completion of the installation of the unit(s), a third-party rater must be contacted and called to the home or small business and verify that the installation and unit(s) sizing is correct, efficiency of existing duct work. The rater will comprehensively inspect the installation of the unit(s) including but not limited to each component of the evaporator coil (inside unit) and the condensing unit (outside unit).

The rater will be paid for by BPUB for the first inspection only. When and only when the installation of the unit(s), the sizing of the unit(s), and the duct work is verified as energy efficient by the rater will the application be submitted to BPUB by the homeowner and the rebate will be issued to the homeowner. If the home does not meet the standards of the rater due to inadequate sizing of the air conditioning unit(s), installation, or duct work, the homeowner must address the issue(s) and consult with their air conditioning contractor.

Once the matter is resolved between the homeowner with the air conditioning contractor and problem areas identified by the rater have been resolved, the rater will inspect the air conditioning system and duct work again, at the cost of the homeowner. Then and only then shall the application submittal process to BPUB begin.

Window and Wall-Mounted Air Conditioning Unit

Applications are subject to verification. If the verification cannot be completed, the rebate will not be paid. Applications must be completed and submitted within thirty (30) days of installation of unit. Please allow 3-6 weeks after receipt of all documentation for the rebate to issued. Rebate recipient must be a current customer of BPUB electric services. Removed equipment cannot be reused in BPUB service area. The Window or Wall-Mounted AC unit must be ENERGY STAR® rated. Confirm with seller before purchasing. Program may be discontinued by BPUB at any time. Rebates are contingent upon fund availability. A maximum number of three (3) window or wall-mounted air conditioning units qualify for rebates per BPUB account. If customer purchases multiple units, all units must be included on the same application. BPUB will not accept multiple applications per customer account.

Installation

Installation of the central air conditioning unit(s) or heat pump(s) must be installed/retrofitted by a Texas Air Conditioning Licensed (TACL) contractor/installer complete with a Manual J to qualify for the rebate. Verification is required on the application.

Installation of ENERGY STAR® certified window and wall-mounted units does not require a TACL licensed contractor to qualify for rebate, although, manufacturer’s suggested installation recommendations should be observed to achieve the unit’s maximum efficiency.