Energy Efficiency Alberta extends current incentive cap until March 31
Alberta school boards can receive up to $100,000 this year for energy efficiency improvements for every K-12 facility. Through the Business, Non-Profit and Institutional Energy Savings (BNI) program, Energy Efficiency Alberta is offering financial incentives before or after installing upgrades and retrofits to existing buildings.
The BNI program has been extended until March 31, 2018, meaning Alberta schools can receive up to $100,000 per facility if applications are submitted before the end of March.
Incentives are available for lighting, HVAC, controls and motor upgrades, and every Alberta school building is eligible. Here are the important details:
All school facilities are eligible
The BNI program is open to business, non-profit and institutional participants – including K-12 schools. Applications are accepted both before or after installation, and energy efficiency upgrades can be installed by any contractor or even completed in-house. The key is to ensure the upgrades are on the Eligible Prescriptive Measures List.
Rebates depend on the upgrades
Rebates are dependent on type of upgrades. For example, LED exit signs are eligible for a rebate of $12 per sign. Review the Eligible Prescriptive Measures List for all the rebate amounts.
For lighting upgrades, the rebate ranges from $1.50 for a bulb all the way to $200 for highbay fixtures. Careful selection of fixtures can maximize the rebate.
Although controls are eligible for rebates, the coverage is negligible. Controls may not receive significant rebates, but they can be valuable for the following reasons:
- Dim how powered lighting fixtures (which are eligible for significant rebates).
- Extend life of products and improve energy efficiency.
Heating equipment for air and water is eligible for rebates, but the incentives will be most effective if the existing equipment is nearing the end of its life.
Rebates can also be used for motors. Existing incentives can reduce the payback period for VFD upgrades by around two years.
Now is the time to apply
Applications can be submitted before or after installation. To take advantage of the current $100,000 rebate cap, apply for pre-approval now and install later this year.
Don’t have the time to maximize your rebates right now? Send us a message with your project plans and we will ensure you get the biggest rebate for your investment.
Update (February 15, 2018)
Information from Jeff Rempel, Manager of Engagement with ICF. ICF is administering the BCI program in Alberta. For more information, send a message to bni@efficiencyalberta.ca.
- Energy Efficiency Alberta has a budget of $645 million over five years. The BNI program had an initial budget of $10 million for the first year, so a good indicator that the program will continue.
- Rebates for equipment is between 20 and 40% of product costs, with fixed amounts depending on the type of equipment.
- Program will be extended past March 31, 2018, but there may be some changes. The annual rebate cap per facility is expected to continue to be $100,000 per year. Annual caps will be annually assessed and may change.
- Facilities are eligible for this year’s $100,000 rebate cap until March 31, 2018. Then the rebate cap will be renewed to $100,000 for the next year.
- Post installation applications is the quickest, but ensure that the equipment is eligible and complete the application within 90 days of project completion. Preapprovals are available and can guarantee funds for up to six months.
- Expect application processing to take around 1 month
- All projects may be randomly inspected after installation, and projects with over $150,000 in rebates will require post installation inspections.