Xcel Energy New Home Builders Rebate

Xcel Energy Star® for New Homes Program FAQs

EnergyLogic is pleased to participate as a primary energy rating service provider in the Xcel Energy Star® for New Homes Program. This program buys down the cost of rater services and provides rebates for homebuilders working within Xcel gas territory who commit to meeting Xcel ESHN program requirements.

When did the program begin and how long will it last?

The official start date for the New Homes program was March 1, 2009. Houses that received their TBC (rough insulation and air barrier) inspection on or after January 1, 2009, were 'grandfathered' into the program. We don't know how long the program will last, however, from time to time Xcel will, and has, made changes to the program. We will make our best effort to keep the information on this site as up to date as possible.

2012 brings important changes to the Energy Star New Homes program-perhaps top of the list is that a home no longer has to qualify as ENERGY STAR to be eligible for a rebate.

Note: The CO Public Commission (COPUC) has not approved the program filing for 2012/13 and as a result, the information, including rebate levels listed below, is subject to change. Xcel Energy expects the COPUC to issue their ruling in early 2012.

EnergyStar Partner Information

How do I know which houses qualify for the program?

In working with EnergyLogic, you're already most of the way there, as you are already receiving guidance about how to ensure your houses meet Energy Star® requirements.

When we receive your request for a rough inspection, we check to see if your house is clearly within Xcel gas territory and enroll that house in the program. We take a picture of the gas meter at the house as verification that the house is within the territory and send it to Xcel as part of the enrollment process.

Home (s) do not have to be qualified as ENERGY STAR to be eligible for a rebate
A home cannot participate in multiple programs and receive a rebate for the same installed equipment ("double dip on rebates"). That is, a home cannot receive an ESHN rebate and receive a rebate from any other Xcel Energy program when that equipment is factored into the HERS index score. For example an AC rebate and an ESHN rebate. The only exception is solar, as the energy savings for homes with solar are removed to exclude them and the HERS is recalculated.
Thermal Enclosure Checklist (TEC)
- a. For all homes completed or enrolled on or after December 24th 2011, EnergyLogic must submit a TEC checklist for you.
- b. Starting February 24th 2012, the entire TEC must be must be completed and the home successfully comply with all the TEC requirements according the to the ENERGY STAR v3 standards. Prior to February 24, 2012, only sections three and five of the TEC must be completed and successfully pass.

What does the Xcel rater subsidy cover?

Xcel will pay EnergyLogic directly for a portion of the cost of testing and reporting on houses that successfully complete their program. We will bill clients directly for the balance, including the fee for our services in the unlikely event that your house does not . We will continue to invoice you for plans analysis, optional testing services such as rough duct leakage testing (if you choose this option), for re-inspections required to enable you to pass the Xcel program, Energy Star, and/or for other consulting or requested services.

What about the Energy Rating Certificates (HERS) and other documentation I currently receive from EnergyLogic?

Participation in the Xcel New Homes program changes nothing about your relationship with EnergyLogic. You will still work directly with us, and we will continue to provide the same testing and inspections, Energy Star and HERS certificates, and meet all other energy related program and code specific requirements.

What kind of rebate is available to builders?

Rebates to builders are issued directly from Xcel. Xcel will pay the Colorado Builder Performance Path Incentive directly to the homebuilder after EnergyLogic has successfully demonstrated a home's compliance with the Xcel New Homes program and the HERS Index score needed for the Xcel rebate. The incentive payment will be based on the reported HERS Index and compliance with the TEC. If the house has a PV system installed the HERS Index used to calculate the Xcel Rebate will be adjusted by removing the PV system from the energy model. PV systems receive a separate rebate form a different Xcel program and budget.

Builder rebates will change starting December 24th 2011. The following rebate amounts will apply to all homes completed on or after December 24, 2011.

HERS Index for Rebate Eligibility	Performance Rating Rebate	BOP Rating Rebate*	Sampling Rating Rebate
75-71	$250	$250	$83
70-66	$500	$250	$167
65-61	$850	$250	$283
60 or below	$1,300	$250	$433

* Builders participating in Xcel Energy's ENERGY STAR New Home program must also install a 92% furnace and achieve at least a 4.5 air change per hour at 50 Pascal's (ACH50) in order to receive the BOP rebate.

Homes built 30% greater than 2006 IECC code. (This includes Boulder.)

Note - NO REBATES are available for homes larger than 3000 sq. ft. in the City of Boulder and/or Unincorporated Boulder County.

HERS Index for Rebate Eligibility	Up to and including 3,000 sq ft	Over 3000 sq ft
65-61	$450	N/A
60 or below	$600	N/A

Appliance Rebates:

Builders will now find it easier to earn additional rebates for qualifying electrical appliances they install. In the past builders were required to install all four qualifying appliances in order to receive Xcel Energy's $110 rebate. Beginning with homes completed after December 24, 2011, builders can install one or any combination of the four qualifying appliances and receive a rebate. Note that this rebate is available for houses in Xcel Electric territory, even if they are not also in Xcel gas territory.

Appliance Rebate *

ENERGY STAR Dishwasher	$40
ENERGY STAR Clothes Washer	$10
ENERGY STAR Refrigerator	$10
20 ENERGY STAR Fixtures or bulbs	$40

* This rebate is available to all Xcel Energy electric residential new home construction or large remodeling projects (that meet the ENREGY STAR new construction definition). Xcel requires photo documentation as well as the make, model and serial number of each appliance in order to qualify for the credit. For houses that are also within Xcel gas territory, EnergyLogic will document the electric appliances at the time of our final inspection-if they are installed already. If you are not building within Xcel gas territory, but are within Xcel's electric service territory, you can email the photos and verification numbers to us and we'll see that you receive the Electric Rebate from Xcel.

How do I claim my rebate? When can I expect payment from Xcel?

You don't have to do anything! EnergyLogic will submit all necessary documentation to Xcel Energy. Each month we'll send you a list of houses that have been approved as "complete" by Xcel so you'll know what to expect, and they will send your Builder Incentive check directly to you. You can expect your check within 60 days of the final energy testing on your house.

What about houses which are not within Xcel Gas territory and or that do not comply with Xcel Energy Star® for New Homes program?

We will invoice you directly, or follow your existing payment procedure, for inspections on houses that fall outside of Xcel gas territory.

If your house is within Xcel Gas territory, but fails to qualify for the ESHN program, we will bill you directly for the amount we would have received from Xcel as a subsidy had your house successfully completed their program. (But as always, we'll do our best to help you get your houses where they need to be.)

Are there any other Rebate programs available to Builders who are not building in Xcel Utility territory?

Yes!

The Governor's Energy Office (GEO) rebate is no longer in effect. We'll listen closely and inform you if this opportunity opens up again.

If you build within the Colorado Springs Utility service territory you are eligible for rebates through their Energy Star® New Homes Builder Incentive Program. Incentive amount range fron $110 to $800 depending on the HERS score your home receives. The application and program details can be found here: http://www.csu.org/business/rebates/builder/item6704.pdf

If you build within the Black Hills Energy Service territory there are substantial rebates for building to Energy Star levels, and if you build at 10% better than Energy Star, you could be eligible for an extra $5000. Talk to us for more details about this program.http://www.blackhillsenergy.com/services/programs/documents/coe_12_res_nc.pdf