Energy

Learn about Energy Efficiency.

  •     Energy audits
  •     Efficiency rebates
  •     Little changes = big savings

What does it mean to Go Electric?

  •     Beneficial Electrification
  •     Electric Vehicle Rebates
  •     EV Charging Network
  •     Electric Tools and Appliances
  •     EV shopping tips

 

Life solves its problems with well-adapted designs... and smart material and energy use.

Energy Efficiency

As modern consumers, we can realize a variety of economic and environmental benefits by considering energy conservation.  Fortunately, saving energy does not have to mean sacrificing comfort or convenience.  Explore these options to learn how you can improve your building's energy efficiency.

 


Electrification stock image

What is Beneficial Electrification?

The application of electricity to end-uses that would otherwise consume fossil fuels, where doing so satisfies at least one of following conditions, without adversely affecting the others:

- save consumers money

- improve product quality, or consumer quality of life

- reduce [GHG] emissions

- foster a more resilient grid


Beneficial Electrification Flyer

Check out the nifty Beneficial Electrification flyer.  Available now at SMPA offices and events.

Some examples would be heating your home with an electric heat pump rather than by burning natural gas; or replacing gas-engine powered tools like leaf blowers or weed whackers with electric versions; or traveling in an electric vehicle instead of a gasoline-burning one.

 

     Looking for somewhere to charge your Electric Vehicle?PlugShare

       PlugShare has the answers.

EV Readiness Plan

     What's our region doing to expand the
     Electric Vehicle Infrastructure?

       See the EV Readiness Plan, hosted by EcoAction Partners.


SMPA Residential and Commercial Rebates

Rebate Terms

  • Limit: one rebate per category, per year.
  • All rebates are an “up-to” amount that will not exceed 100% of the project cost.
  • Itemized receipts, showing proof of purchase, and make and model information are required for all rebates.
  • Rebate applications must be received within 60 days of product purchase/delivery.
  • Item must be installed at member account location in SMPA Territory, and are subject to potential inspection by rebate program staff. All rebates over $1000 will be scheduled for inspection.
  • Rebates are offered while funds last.

Only current San Miguel Power Association members qualify for rebates. Please allow 90 days for complete rebate processing. An application submission does not guarantee a rebate. San Miguel Power Association reserves the right to inspect and verify appliance installation to process any rebates. Rebate submittal must be within 60 days of purchase, delivery or Certificate of Occupancy (for new construction). Application must be complete and an itemized receipt verifying purchase must be included. All applications must be submitted by December 15th to be eligible for posted incentive amount. Incomplete applications may be denied.

Looking for renewable energy rebates?  Go here.

Questions?  Please email rebates@smpa.com

     Heat Pumps

 

Refer to this list of recommended contractors.

Here's more information on heat pumps.

Terms & Limitations for All Heat Pumps

  • $20,000 rebate maximum per project
  • Maximum rebate of 50% of equipment and installation cost
  • 8.5 HSPF2 Minimum or 10 HSPF Minimum
  • 1 ton or 12,000 BTU/hour rated load capacity minimum
  • Permanent installations only, window units do not qualify
  • One installation per account per year
  • Itemized receipt required (invoice must be marked "PAID" and must include model numbers.)

Air Source Heat Pump
    Outdoor ground mount units are not required to be Energy Star

       Outdoor Mount 1 -5 tons | $500/ton

       Outdoor Mount over 5 tons | $250/ton

Example: A 3 ton heat pump earns a $1500 rebate. A 6 ton heat pump earns a $2750 rebate.

 

Air to Water Heat Pump

       Outdoor Mount 1 -5 tons | $500/ton

       Outdoor Mount over 5 tons | $250/ton

 

Ground Source Heat Pump

       Outdoor Mount 1 -5 tons | $500/ton

       Outdoor Mount over 5 tons | $250/ton

 

     Appliances & Recycling

 

  • All appliances MUST be Energy Star Certified
  • One of each appliance per account per year
  • Itemized receipt is required
  • Rebates DO apply to new construction/purchases.
    You do not have to replace an old unit to get the rebate.

Refrigerator/Freezer Disposal-Only Rebate
     Disposal only | 100% of cost up to $100

Clothes Dryer Rebate
     Hybrid Heat Pump Dryer | $180

Look up Energy Star appliances and learn more here: www.energystar.gov/products/appliances

  • Most new refrigerator sales include disposal.  Make sure this is indicated on the receipt
  • Bruin Waste will pick up your old refrigerator for a fee - call 970-864-7531
  • Bring your old refrigerator/Freezer to Tri-River Appliance in Montrose - call 970-249-9442
  • Home Depot disposes of old refrigerators for a small fee with the purchase of a new refrigerator/freezer.

Rebate Icon

Whole House Fan

 

  • A whole house fan is a type of fan, commonly venting into a home’s attic, designed to circulate air in the home. Commonly mistaken for attic ventilation. For any interpretation of the qualification of an item as a whole house fan please contact program staff.
  • Replacement or new construction | $200
  • Itemized receipt required
  • Product model information required

Rebate Icon

     Smart Thermostats

 

  • Electric only
  • $25 per thermostat
  • Limits two thermostats per member account; limit of 5 line voltage Smart thermostats per member account
  • Itemized receipt required
  • Product model information required

Rebate Icon

     Induction Cooktops

 

  • Replacement of old gas cooktop/range requires proof of old unit. Photograph of old unit is sufficient.
  • Transition from electric to induction | $100
  • Transition from natural gas or propane to induction; or new construction | $400

Rebate Icon

     Electric Water Heaters

 

Electric Resistance Water Heater (only for new construction or fuel switching)

  • Must have timer / controller installed and operable
  • 30 Gallon & Above | $150
  • Photo of installed timer is required.

Air Source Heat Pump Water Heater

  • 30 Gallon & Above | $700
  • Must be Energy Star Certified
  • May have have a back-up resistance element

Timers

  • Timers added to existing electric water heaters | $75 per installation
  • Photo of installed timer is required.

Rebate Icon

Residential & Commercial Energy Audits

 

  • Rebates are available only to applicants with valid account numbers from San Miguel Power Association.
  • Energy audits must be performed by a BPI or RESNET certified auditor.
  • A minimum of a walkthrough energy audit must be performed by a RESNET or BPI certified auditor.
  • Rebates are available for audits performed between January 1 and December 31 of current year.
  • Applications are limited to one rebate per product category per utility account per year.
  • Applications must be received within 60 days of audit and by December 31 for current year rebates.
  • Rebate checks will be issued in the name of the applicant and will be issued only to complete, qualifying applications.
  • SMPA Rebates are calculated after all other available incentives (not including tax credits) have been deducted.
  • Rebates are available first-come, first-served until funds are exhausted.
  • SMPA is not responsible for lost, late, damaged, illegible, misdirected or postage-due applications.
  • SMPA reserves the right to verify compliance with these terms, including but not limited to a physical site review.
  • Qualifying applications must comply with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations, requirements, ordinances, codes and statutes.
  • All terms, conditions and rules of the program are subject to change.

Residential Energy Audit | $100
Member accounts with a residential electric rate

Commercial Energy Audit | $250
Member accounts with a commercial electric rate

Rebate Icon

Electric Thermal Storage

 

Controlled Off-Peak ETS
     Minimum 1 kW | $40/kW

 

Product Requirements:

  • Units must be controlled by a timer or a master control system
  • Minimum qualifying load for ETS is 1 kW

Lawn Tools Icon

Outdoor Electric Power Equipment

 

  • New Equipment Only
  • Battery or corded qualify
  • Minimum purchase price of $50
  • Itemized receipt required
  • Other than electric bikes, members are limited to one rebate per product type per year. Requests for considerations around this may be made for commercial landscape providers, but this must be done prior to the rebate being filed.
  • An aggregated maximum rebate of $600 per member account applies to listed equipment except riding lawnmowers (stand-alone $1,000 cap per member account)
  • Additional batteries purchased with and for qualifying equipment can be included with original purchase rebate application (one additional battery per product limit).
  • Replacement or battery-only purchases are not eligible.
  • Multi-piece equipment combinations are eligible for individual rebate amounts provided $50 cost minimum is met

 

Lawn Mower
36 Volt minimum (or corded) | 50% of cost up to $500

Electric Riding Mower
48 Volt minimum (or corded) | 25% of cost up to $1000

Snow Blower
36 Volt minimum (or corded) | 50% of cost up to $150

Trimmer / Pruner / Leaf Blower / Power Washer
18 Volt Minimum (or corded) | 50% of cost up to $100

Chainsaw
18 Volt Minimum (or corded) | 50% of cost up to $100

Additional Batteries with Equipment
50% of cost up to $25

 

 

 

Thank you to the Telluride Foundation and the Pinhead Climate Institute for joining in to expand this rebate program with generous donations.

Telluride Foundation LogoPinhead Climate Institue Logo

 

Electric Vehicle Charging Equipment

 

  • EV charging installations require a dedicated circuit.
  • Limit one rebate per consumer account per year.
  • Equipment must be new; used equipment does not qualify.
  • Itemized invoices for EV charging equipment and electric service installation are required.
  • Photo of installation is required.

 

Level 2 Residential/Private Commercial Charger

  • 50% cost match of EV charging equipment up to $250 maximum, and 50% up to $250 maximum for electric service installation (≤$500 Total)
  • Data collection capability not required, but encouraged
  • Limit two chargers per member account

Level 2 Public Charger

  • 50% cost match of equipment cost and electric service installation up to $1000 maximum
  • Data collection capability is required with the following fields:
    • Time and date
    • Charge duration
    • Energy delivered in kWh
    • Cost recovered

Level 3 DC Fast Charger

  • 50% of EV charging equipment and electric service installation costs up to $3,000 for 50-75kW maximum station output
  • 50% of EV charging equipment and electric service installation costs up to $5,000 for 76-149kW maximum station output
  • 50% of EV charging equipment and electric service installation costs up to $7,500 for 150 and above kW peak output
  • Data collection capability is required with the following fields:
    • Time and date
    • Charge duration
    • Energy delivered in kWh
    • Cost recovered

- $750 for RE/PV battery systems of 6kWh or larger
  (Does not apply to IC generators)
  (Programmed for SMPA Peak (Mon - Sat, 4 PM - 10 PM))

Application Coming Soon

Electric Commuter Bicycles

 

Terms & Limitations

  • All applications must be submitted within 60 days of purchase
  • Electric Bicycle - $150 rebate maximum
  • All rebate applications must include receipts with make and model of the E-Bike

Thanks to EcoAction Partners, San Miguel County's Sustainability Organization, for administering many of our Energy Efficiency and Beneficial Electrification rebates.

Learn more about Beneficial Electrification on this podcast.

Our wholesale power provider has launched the Beneficial Electrification League of Colorado (BEL-CO).  Read more.