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Rebates

Updated

Rebates

Rebates for energy efficient equipment are key mechanisms for increasing the uptake of energy efficient technologies in buildings. Rebates increase the overall economic performance of an EIM and also add urgency to their implementation. They can apply to many different types of equipment, but in the frame of the Glimpse Calculator, only the rebates relating to equipment that would be installed to reduce building energy consumption are relevant.

The Glimpse Calculator estimates the rebates that could be applicable when EIMs are performed. These insights can be applied to the overall EIM economic performance calculations and are also available by themselves via API.

One-time rebates are the only incentives that are included in the lifecycle cost and impact calculation calculation. They are applied as a reduction in the first cost of the EIM in year 0 of the lifecycle analysis. See the Lifecycle Cost and Impact Calculation section for more details on this process.

Rebate Information API

A specific set of rebate information is available via the Glimpse API.

Rebate Information API Overview

The Glimpse API rebate service returns two sections of rebate information:

Rebate program information

This category encompasses information on the available rebate, including the utility company or other authority providing the rebate, the associated program, and the amount of rebate offered, as the authority understands it. Rebate amounts at the program level are often multipliers or functions of something else, for example, 10% of the total EIM cost is covered, or $400/ton is offered for a type of HVAC equipment. Information included is below:

  • Entity name and type (if available)
  • Program and program URL (if available)
  • Equipment information (what piece of equipment is this for?)
  • Calculation information (instructions on how to calculate the available rebate)
Rebate dollar amount

Using the rebate program information, the dollar amount estimates are calculated for each EIM and returned under the “Max Rebates” output section. This is the figure used in the lifecycle cost and impact calculation for a given EIM. The calculation for this is detailed below in the Calculation Basis section.

  Inclusion in Economics Calculations

See the Lifecycle Cost and Impact Calculations page for more information on this process.

Rebate Program Information

To determine whether or not a building can take advantage of available rebates, its zip code and building type are used.

Residential RebatesCommercial Rebates

If a building is a residential building (Midrise Residential, MFH, SFH-Detached, or SFH-Attached), Rewiring America’s rebate service is used to find available rebates. Rewiring America’s service requires a building’s zip code for determination of applicable rebates. It also requires four more inputs that are not included in Glimpse API calls: owner status, household income, tax status, and household size. Assumptions are made for these parameters, and the rebates that are available for a given building may differ from those the Glimpse API calculates to the extent that these assumptions vary from reality. These assumptions are: owner status (homeowner), household income ($37,000), tax filing (head of household), and household size (three people). Rewriting America returns the Authority Information that is used by the Glimpse API.

The following describes the Rewiring America EIMs and how we’ve mapped them to the standard VEE EIMs.

Rewiring America EIM VEE Description VEE EIMs Included
air_sealing Seal window and door caulking and other envelope penetrations to reduce uncontrolled outdoor air infiltration.
  • Air sealing
  • Insulation and sealing
  • Weather-seal envelope
air_to_water_heat_pump Replace space heating systems with air-to-water heat pump systems that provide hydronic heating using electricity Electricity.
  • Replace heating with heat pumps
  • Replace all heating with Heat Pumps
  • Install heat pumps (res)
  • Install heat pumps (com)
  • Install heat pump water heater
attic_or_roof_insulation Increase thermal resistance of attic or roof assemblies through added or upgraded insulation.
  • Upgrade to high standard of roof insulation
  • Insulation and windows upgrades
  • Insulation and sealing
door_replacement Replace existing exterior doors with higher-performance doors to reduce heat loss and air leakage.
  • Insulation and windows upgrades
  • Insulation and sealing
  • Upgrade to high standard of wall insulation
ducted_heat_pump Install ducted heat pump systems to provide efficient electric Electricity space heating and cooling through ducted distribution.
  • Replace heating with heat pumps
  • Install heat pumps (res)
  • Install heat pumps (com)
ductless_heat_pump Install ductless (mini-split) heat pump systems to provide efficient electric Electricity space heating and cooling without ductwork.
  • Replace heating with heat pumps
  • Install heat pumps (res)
  • Install heat pumps (com)
electric_stove Replace gas Natural Gas or resistance cooking equipment with electric Electricity induction cooking appliances.
  • Electric induction stove
heat_pump_clothes_dryer Replace conventional electric Electricity or gas Natural Gas clothes dryers with high-efficiency heat pump clothes dryers.
  • Heat Pump Dryer
heat_pump_water_heater Replace conventional water heating equipment with electric Electricity heat pump water heaters.
  • Install heat pump water heater
window_replacement Replace existing windows with high-efficiency windows to reduce heat transfer and improve thermal performance.
  • Insulation and windows upgrades
  • Window Upgrades
  • Upgrade to high-efficiency windows
wall_insulation Increase thermal resistance of exterior wall assemblies through added or upgraded insulation.
  • Insulation and windows upgrades
  • Insulation and sealing
  • Upgrade to high standard of wall insulation
weatherization Implement a package of building envelope improvements to reduce heat loss, air leakage, and overall energy demand.
  • Upgrade to high standard of roof insulation
  • Insulation and windows upgrades
  • Insulation and sealing
  • Upgrade to high standard of wall insulation
  • Air sealing
  • Weather-seal envelope
  • Window Upgrades
  • Upgrade to high-efficiency windows

Calculation Basis

After the authority information is collected, the rebate amounts and calculation methods are collected. For each calculation method that requires basis information related to the first-cost of the EIM, that is calculated according to the methodology described in the Lifecycle Cost and Impact Calculation documentation.

For each calculation method that requires basis information related to what exists in the building, the energy model is used. The energy model that has been created to represent the building already uses all input information and the full power of our building stock data sources to understand, to the extent possible, the energy-relevant systems in the building. So, for each piece of basis data needed, the energy model outputs are used to inform that. The high level categories of basis information collected from the energy model for rebates are below:

  • Wall, roof, and floor area
  • Window area
  • HVAC equipment counts, efficiencies, and capacities
  • Light fixture counts
  • Lighting controls sensor counts
Rebate to VEE MappingVEE to Energy Model Output

The following list shows the relation between rebate equipment type to the VEE equipment type.

Item (Rebate Equipment Type) Equipment Info (VEE Equipment Type)
1x4 Luminaires for Ambient Lighting of Interior Commercial Spaces 1x4 Luminaire capacity (W)
2x2 Luminaires for Ambient Lighting of Interior Commercial Spaces 2x2 Luminaire capacity (W)
2x4 Luminaires for Ambient Lighting of Interior Commercial Spaces 2x4 Luminaire capacity (W)
Advanced Rooftop Control Central ventilation units
Advanced Rooftop Control, VFD Central ventilation units
Air Cooled Split System Air Conditioner Central ventilation unit capacity (tons)
Air Cooled Unitary Air Conditioner (Packaged) Central ventilation unit capacity (tons)
Air Cooled Variable Refrigerant Flow Air Conditioner VRF heat pump capacity (tons)
Air Source Split System Heat Pump Central ventilation heat pump unit capacity (kbtuh heating)
Air Source Unitary Heat Pump (Packaged) Central ventilation heat pump unit capacity (kbtuh heating)
Air Source Variable Refrigerant Flow Heat Pump VRF heat pump capacity (tons)
Air-Cooled Centrifugal Chiller Centrifugal air-source chiller capacity (tons)
Centrifugal air-source chillers
Air-Cooled Reciprocating Chiller Reciprocating air-source chiller capacity (tons)
Reciprocating air-source chillers
Air-Cooled Rotary Chiller Rotary air-source chiller capacity (tons)
Rotary air-source chillers
Air-Cooled Screw Chiller Screw air-source chiller capacity (tons)
Screw air-source chillers
Air-Cooled Scroll Chiller Scroll air-source chiller capacity (tons)
Scroll air-source chillers
Architectural Flood and Spot Luminaires Architectural and spot luminaire capacity (W)
Bollards Bollard luminaires
Daylight Control Lighting control sensors
Demand Control Garage Ventilation Garage exhaust fans
Demand Control Kitchen Ventilation Kitchen exhaust fans
Demand Control Ventilation Central ventilation zone equipment
Demand Control Ventilation + Economizer Central ventilation zone equipment
Display Case Luminaires Freezer capacity (ft3)
Downlight Recessed Recessed downlight luminaire capacity (W)
Downlight Solid State Retrofit Recessed downlight luminaire capacity (W)
Dry-Bulb Economizer Central ventilation unit capacity (tons)
Dual Enthalpy Economizer Central ventilation unit capacity (tons)
Ducted Mini-Split Air Conditioner Split System AC units
Ducted Mini-Split Heat Pump Split System HP units
Ductless Mini-Split Air Conditioner Split System AC units
Ductless Mini-Split Heat Pump Split System HP units
Eight-Foot Linear Replacement Lamps 8ft linear lamp capacity (W)
Energy Recovery Ventilation Central ventilation unit capacity (CFM)
Enthalpy Economizer Central ventilation unit capacity (tons)
Exit Sign Exit signs
Four Pin-Base Replacement Lamps for CFL 4-pin CFL lamps
Four-Foot Linear Replacement Lamps 4ft linear lamp capacity (W)
Fuel Pump Canopy Luminaires Fuel-pump canopy luminaire capacity (W)
Ground Source Split System Heat Pump Water-to-water GSHP capacity (kbtuh heating)
Ground Source Unitary Heat Pump (Packaged) Water-to-water GSHP capacity (kbtuh heating)
HVAC All Cooling equipment capacity (tons)
HVAC VFD HVAC motor capacity (horsepower)
Heat Recovery Ventilation Central ventilation unit capacity (CFM)
High-Bay Aisle Luminaires High-bay luminaire capacity (W)
High-Bay Luminaires for Commercial and Industrial Buildings High-bay luminaire capacity (W)
Horizontal Refrigerated Case Luminaires Freezers
Integrated-Style Retrofit Kits for 1x4 Luminaires 1x4 Luminaire capacity (W)
Integrated-Style Retrofit Kits for 2x2 Luminaires 2x2 Luminaire capacity (W)
Integrated-Style Retrofit Kits for 2x4 Luminaires 2x4 Luminaire capacity (W)
LED All Lighting watts
Landscape/Accent Flood and Spot Luminaires Architectural and spot luminaire capacity (W)
Linear Ambient Luminaires: Direct Linear luminaire capacity (W)
Linear Ambient Luminaires: Indirect Linear luminaire capacity (W)
Low-Bay Luminaires for Commercial and Industrial Buildings Low-bay luminaire capacity (W)
Multifunction Control Lighting control sensors
Networked Lighting Controls Lighting control sensors
Occupancy Control Lighting control sensors
Outdoor Pole/Arm-Mounted Area and Roadway Luminaires Outdoor pole luminaire capacity (W)
Outdoor Pole/Arm-Mounted Decorative Luminaires Outdoor pole luminaire capacity (W)
Outdoor Wall-Mounted Area Luminaires Outdoor pole luminaire capacity (W)
Packaged Terminal Air Conditioner (PTAC) PTAC capacity (tons)
Packaged Terminal Heat Pump (PTHP) PTHP capacity (tons)
Parking Garage Luminaires Parking garage lighting fixture capacity (W)
Photocell Control Outdoor lighting fixture capacity (W)
Outdoor Lighting Watts
Replacement Lamps for Fuel Pump Canopy Luminaires Fuel-pump canopy luminaires
Replacement Lamps for High-Bay Luminaires High-bay luminaire capacity (W)
Replacement Lamps for Low-Bay Luminaires Low-bay luminaire capacity (W)
Replacement Lamps for Outdoor Pole/Arm-mounted Area and Roadway Luminaires Outdoor pole luminaires
Replacement Lamps for Outdoor Pole/Arm-mounted Decorative Luminaires Outdoor pole luminaires
Replacement Lamps for Outdoor Wall-Mounted Area Luminaires Outdoor pole luminaires
Replacement Lamps for Parking Garage Luminaires Parking garage lighting fixtures
Retrofit Kits for 1x4 Luminaires for Ambient Lighting of Interior Commercial Spaces 1x4 Luminaire capacity (W)
Retrofit Kits for 2x2 Luminaires for Ambient Lighting of Interior Commercial Spaces 2x2 Luminaire capacity (W)
Retrofit Kits for 2x4 Luminaires for Ambient Lighting of Interior Commercial Spaces 2x4 Luminaire capacity (W)
Retrofit Kits for Direct Linear Ambient Luminaires Linear luminaire capacity (W)
Retrofit Kits for Fuel Pump Canopy Luminaires Fuel-pump canopy luminaire capacity (W)
Retrofit Kits for High-Bay Luminaires for Commercial and Industrial Buildings High-bay luminaire capacity (W)
Retrofit Kits for Low-Bay Luminaires for Commercial and Industrial Buildings Low-bay luminaire capacity (W)
Retrofit Kits for Outdoor Pole/Arm-Mounted Area and Roadway Luminaires Outdoor pole luminaire capacity (W)
Retrofit Kits for Outdoor Pole/Arm-Mounted Decorative Luminaires Outdoor pole luminaire capacity (W)
Retrofit Kits for Outdoor Wall-Mounted Area Luminaires Outdoor pole luminaire capacity (W)
Retrofit Kits for Parking Garage Luminaires Parking garage lighting fixtures
Stairwell and Passageway Luminaires Stairwell and corridor luminaires
Switching Control Lighting control sensors
Three-Foot Linear Replacement Lamps 3ft linear lamps
Time Clock Control Outdoor lighting fixtures
Track or Mono-Point Directional Luminaires Track luminaires
Two-Foot Linear Replacement Lamps 2ft linear lamps
U-Bend Replacement Lamps U-bend lamps
VFD All HVAC motor capacity (horsepower)
Vacancy Control Lighting control sensors
Vertical Refrigerated Case Luminaires Freezers
Wall-Wash Luminaires Wall-wash luminaire capacity (W)
Water Cooled Split System Air Conditioner Water-to-water GSHP capacity (kbtuh heating)
Water Cooled Unitary Air Conditioner (Packaged) Water-to-water GSHP capacity (kbtuh heating)
Water Source Split System Heat Pump Water-to-water GSHP capacity (kbtuh heating)
Water Source Unitary Heat Pump (Packaged) Water-to-water GSHP capacity (kbtuh heating)
Water-Cooled Centrifugal Chiller Centrifugal water-source chiller capacity (tons)
Centrifugal water-source chillers
Water-Cooled Magnetic Bearing Chiller Centrifugal water-source chiller capacity (tons)
Centrifugal water-source chillers
Water-Cooled Reciprocating Chiller Reciprocating water-source chiller capacity (tons)
Reciprocating water-source chillers
Water-Cooled Rotary Chiller Rotary water-source chiller capacity (tons)
Rotary water-source chillers
Water-Cooled Screw Chiller Screw water-source chiller capacity (tons)
Screw water-source chillers
Water-Cooled Scroll Chiller Scroll water-source chiller capacity (tons)
Scroll water-source chillers
Water-Side Economizer Waterside economizer units