How Do I Apply For Pa Energy Rebates 2023?

Pennsylvania offers a variety of energy efficiency rebates to help residents save money on their energy bills and make their homes more efficient. These rebates are offered through the state’s major utility companies such as PECO, PPL, Duquesne Light, and more. The rebates provide incentives for purchasing and installing qualifying energy efficient products such as appliances, lighting, insulation, HVAC systems, and more. Taking advantage of these rebates allows Pennsylvania homeowners and renters to lower their energy usage and costs.

The application process involves determining eligibility, finding qualifying products or home improvements, reviewing rebate amounts, and submitting an application with required documents. This guide will walk through the key steps to successfully apply and claim PA energy rebates in 2023. Using these rebates can yield significant long-term savings and environmental benefits for Pennsylvania households.

Eligibility

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) offers rebates on energy efficiency improvements and products to residential electric customers of the state’s seven major electric distribution companies (EDCs), including Duquesne Light, Met-Ed, Penelec, Penn Power, PPL, PECO, and West Penn Power. Both homeowners and renters are eligible for the rebates as long as you are a customer of one of these utility providers. You do not need to own your home to qualify. As per PUC guidelines, eligibility requirements depend on your household income and the number of people living in your home. Income eligibility ranges go up to $72,000 for a household of two people, and increase further based on additional household members.

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, residential customers may also be eligible for additional rebates on electric vehicles and charging equipment. There are special rebates available for low-income households as well.

Qualifying Products/Improvements

There are a wide range of products, appliances, and home improvements that qualify for energy rebates in Pennsylvania for 2023, including:

• ENERGY STAR certified appliances like refrigerators, clothes washers, clothes dryers, dishwashers, and room air conditioners (Residential Products Rebates Program Home – Pennsylvania).
• Qualifying HVAC equipment like air source heat pumps, geothermal heat pumps, boilers, furnaces, and water heaters (Residential Products Rebates Program Home – Pennsylvania).
• Insulation and air sealing improvements like attic insulation, wall insulation, rim joist insulation, and air sealing (Energy Efficiency Incentives – PA DEP).
• Energy efficient windows and doors when replacing older, inefficient models (PA energy rebates: Complete guide with resources).

Check with your utility provider for the most up-to-date list of qualifying products and improvements for rebates in your area.

Rebate Amounts

The amount of rebate you can receive depends on the specific energy efficient product or home improvement project. According to the PA DEP, some of the rebate amounts include:¹

• ENERGY STAR Appliances: $25-$100 rebate per appliance
• Smart Thermostats: Up to $100 rebate
• LED Light Bulbs: Discounts from retailers
• Insulation and Air Sealing: Up to $300 rebate
• ENERGY STAR Heat Pumps: $300-$500 rebate
• Geothermal Heat Pumps: Up to $2,000 rebate
• Solar Panels: Up to $2,000 rebate

Higher income-qualified rebates up to $800 may be available for certain appliances through some utility providers according to EnergysavePA.² Always check with your utility provider for the specific rebate amounts available.

How to Apply

Applying for PA energy rebates in 2023 is a straightforward process. Here are the step-by-step instructions for submitting your rebate application:

1. Determine your eligibility. You must be a residential customer of a participating Pennsylvania utility company. Check the program website to confirm your utility offers rebates.
2. Select qualifying products or home improvements. Refer to the rebate catalog to find items that are eligible. Some common products include ENERGY STAR appliances, LED lighting, smart thermostats, insulation, air sealing, and heat pumps.
3. Review rebate amounts and limits. Each product will have a specific rebate value listed. There are often caps per product type and household.
4. Collect required documentation. This includes proof of purchase, ENERGY STAR certification, installer invoices, and other item-specific forms.
5. Complete the rebate application online or by mail. Applications can be found on your utility company’s energy efficiency program website. Fill out all required fields and attach documentation.
6. Submit by the deadline. Applications must be received within 180 days of purchase date. Deadlines may vary by utility.
7. Allow 6-8 weeks for processing. Once received, rebate applications take 1-2 months to be reviewed and paid out.
8. Receive your rebate check. Rebates will come as a check in the mail or as a bill credit.

Be sure to follow all instructions carefully to avoid application errors or denial. Contact your utility company with any questions about the rebate submission process.

Source: https://rebates.energysavepa.com/

Application Requirements

To apply for Pennsylvania energy rebates in 2023, you will need to gather some required documents and information. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, here are the key items needed for the application:

• A copy of your most recent electric bill
• Your utility account number
• Proof of purchase for any products or improvements (receipt, invoice, etc.)
• Technical specifications on any new HVAC equipment installed
• Contractor information including name, address, and license number if work was contracted
• Your contact information including name, address, phone number, and email

Having these documents and details ready will help streamline the application process. The specific utility rebate programs may also require additional information, so be sure to check their websites for any other requirements.

Application Deadline

The deadline to apply for energy rebates in Pennsylvania for 2023 is December 31, 2023. This extended deadline was announced by the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue in November 2022. Previously, the deadline had been June 30 for each program year. According to the Department of Revenue, “Under current Pennsylvania law, the annual deadline for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate program is set at June 30. The law requires the Department of Revenue to evaluate the program each year and to automatically extend the deadline if funds are available” (Source). By extending the deadline to December 31, 2023, more Pennsylvania residents will have the opportunity to take advantage of the available rebates and benefits.

Rebate Processing Time

According to the PA Energy Rebate Program FAQ page, expect a typical processing time of 4-8 weeks from submitting your rebate application until you receive the rebate check in the mail. However, processing times can vary depending on the utility company.

The rebate processing involves several steps after you submit the application:

• Application review – The program reviews your application for completeness and eligibility.
• Application approval – If approved, the rebate reservation is created.
• Verifications – Any required verifications are completed, such as verification of product installation.
• Rebate check issuance – The rebate check is issued and mailed to you.

You can check the status of your rebate application anytime by logging into your online account or contacting your utility company. If it’s been over 8 weeks and your rebate check has not arrived, reach out to the rebate program to inquire.

Other Benefits

In addition to the direct rebates offered for qualifying products and improvements, there are some other benefits available through Pennsylvania’s energy efficiency programs:

PA residents can receive a free home energy assessment from their utility provider to identify areas for efficiency upgrades and savings. According to the PA DEP website, “Many Pennsylvania electric distribution companies and natural gas distribution companies offer free energy assessments to help consumers better understand energy usage in their homes.”

Customers of FirstEnergy’s Pennsylvania utilities are also eligible for free smart thermostats, LED light bulbs, and advanced power strips through the company’s online store. Homeowners can check eligibility and place orders at EnergySavePA.com.

So in addition to the rebates for upgrading appliances, insulation, HVAC systems, and more, PA residents can take advantage of free audits and products to further increase home energy efficiency.

Further Information

For more details on applying for energy rebates in Pennsylvania for 2023, you can contact the utilities directly:

FirstEnergy PA – Phone: 855-897-6394

Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania – Phone: 1-888-460-4332

PECO – Phone: 1-800-494-4000

These utilities administer the rebates for residential customers in their service areas. Contact them directly for the latest rebate amounts, qualifying products, application deadlines and instructions.