Geothermal Heat Pump Incentive Program - Commercial
NOTE: Because no rebate from this program can be paid to any project which is not completed and operating by April 30, 2012, no applications will be accepted for commercial projects after November 30, 2011. Residential (non-commerical) applications will continue to be accepted until December 30, 2011, but after that date, no applications for geothermal heat pump systems will be accepted by CEFIA.
The average time between receipt of application at CEFIA and completion of the project has been 225 days for residential projects, and 381 days for commercial projects. Consequently, we cannot expect that any application received after 12/31/11 will be completed by the April 30, 2012 deadline. Unallocated funds will be transferred to another program. CEFIA is planning no geothermal heat pump incentive program to follow this ARRA-funded program.
Geothermal systems draw upon the relatively constant temperature (~50-55° F) of the soil or ground water deep beneath the earth’s surface to efficiently heat buildings during colder months and cool buildings during warmer months. Because the heat pump transfers heat from one location to another (like an air conditioner), most of the heat delivered is “free” and does not have to be supplied by fossil fuels or electric energy. Energy savings for a typical home heating/cooling system typically range from 30% to 70%, with the GSHP system being most attractive compared to electric resistance heating, and least competitive versus natural gas.
Projects funded under the ARRA program have exhibited the following characteristics:
| |
Residential |
Commercial |
| |
Average Size 4.772 Tons |
Average Size 40.703 Tons |
| |
Average Rebate $5,306.22 |
Average Rebate $72,390.91 |
| |
Average Cost/ton $8,782.00 |
Average Cost/ton $10,085.00 |
These averages can be somewhat misleading when trying to determine the expected cost of a particular project, because site conditions, equipment selection and location all have a significant impact on costs. However, they may be useful in helping to determine whether or not a geothermal heat pump system would make sense for you. We recommend contacting two or more of the “eligible contractors” who have participated in our program, to obtain information and quotes.
For a full program description (including eligibility requirements and funding limits) and application information, click on the links below.
Click here for the Residential version of the Geothermal Heat Pump Incentive Program
Funding available under this program is as follows:
Geothermal Rebate Program as of November 30, 2011 (Residential and Commercial, combined)
|
Applications Received
|
Rebate Funds Reserved |
Pending Rebate Applications ("Pipeline")
|
Rebate Funds Remaining (Unallocated) |
% Funds Remaining |
|
|
$3,705,417
|
|
$433,608
|
9.6% |
|
Program Start
|
Program End |
Months Left in Program |
%
|
|
|
April 2012 |
5
|
|
Program Announcements
The following incentive structure will apply to all applications received after Friday, May 14, 2010:
Rebate amount:
► Residential (retrofits of existing building) -- $1,200 per ton of air-conditioning capacity
► Residential (new construction) -- $1,050 per ton
► Commercial for-profit -- $1,050 per ton
► Not-for-profit -- $1,750 per ton
These rates will apply for the duration of the program. Please note that any project which is not complete and operating by April 30, 2012 will not be eligible for any payment of the rebate, according to the rules of the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act.
Links to Important Information