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Building Efficiency FAQs
General information
- What is Building Efficiency?
- Why should I use this program?
- What if I submitted a Preliminary or Final application prior to Jan. 1, 2011?
- What if my project started in 2010, but I have not yet submitted a Preliminary application?
Eligibility
- What projects are eligible?
- What is a major renovation?
- What energy-saving measures are eligible?
- What if I am planning an energy upgrade that’s not on the eligible measure list?
- What if I’m located in Oregon?
- Does street lighting qualify for the new L5 incentive?
Application Process
- How can I participate?
- What is the application process?
- When should I submit the Preliminary Application?
- When should I submit the Final Application?
- How much extra time/effort will this take?
- What documentation do I need other than the application forms?
Payment Information
Other Incentive Programs
- Are there similar programs for existing facilities?
- How do I apply for Easy Upgrades or Custom Efficiency incentives?
Program Background & Information
Miscellaneous
General information
1. What is Building Efficiency?
Building Efficiency is an incentive program from Idaho Power designed to help cover a significant share of the costs of designing and building energy efficiency features into a commercial or industrial construction project.
2. Why should I use this program?
Energy efficiency pays. The less your business has to pay for electricity, the more funds you’ll have available to spend on other necessities or to add to your bottom line. With Idaho Power’s Building Efficiency Program, there’s no better time to add energy-saving features to your commercial construction process.
3. What if I submitted a Preliminary or Final application prior to Jan 1, 2011?
A project submitted prior to Jan. 1, 2011 will be eligible for incentives offered at the time the preliminary application was submitted. For example, a preliminary application submitted in November 2010 for construction completed in 2011 will be paid based on incentives offered in 2010.
4. What if my project started in 2010, but I have not yet submitted a Preliminary application?
Your project will be subject to the qualifications of the program in place when you submit your preliminary application. Preliminary applications submitted after Jan. 1, 2011 will be subject to the 2011 incentive levels and other program requirements. The preliminary application must be submitted prior to project completion to qualify.
Eligibility
1. What projects are eligible?
Only projects that are part of a new building, an expansion to an existing building or a major renovation started after April 15, 2005 can qualify. Major renovations are projects involving professional design services, review by code authorities or substantial replacement of two or more building components — building shell, plumbing, HVAC, lighting or other electrical systems.
2. What is a major renovation?
A major renovation is a project involving professional design services and reviewed by code authorities. Substantial replacement of two or more building components, building shell, plumbing, HVAC, lighting or other electrical systems, also qualify.
3. What energy-saving measures are eligible?
Incentives are offered for five specific lighting efficiency options, four specific cooling efficiency options, two building shell options, and three control strategies. Any project can earn an incentive for as many, or as few, of those design options as you choose to install.
4. What if I am planning an energy upgrade that's not on the eligible measure list?
While the current list of eligible measures covers 14 of the most common energy-saving design options, if you have an additional design option that’s not on this year’s list, you can apply for an incentive through the Custom Efficiency program. Contact the program manager to see if you qualify, or view more information on the Custom Efficiency program.
5. What if I'm located in Oregon?
Commercial construction projects in Oregon are eligible too. This applies to Oregon projects that were started after Jan. 1, 2006. Since Oregon's code is different from Idaho, there are some minor differences. For specific details, refer to Schedule 83.
6. Does street lighting qualify for the new L5 incentive?
Street lighting does not qualify for the new L5 incentive. Only customers that are rate 7, 9 and 19 qualify for the Building Efficiency Program incentives.
Application Process
1. How can I participate?
Talk to your team of design professionals about the energy efficiency options that will work best for your facility. You can learn more, and reserve your place in line for an incentive payment, by submitting a Pre-Application .
2. What is the application process?
- Submit a Pre-Application prior to project completion.
- Idaho Power will respond with applicable incentive requirements.
- Submit a Final Application and supporting documentation within 90 days following project completion.
- Idaho Power will process the application and pay the incentive.
3. When should I submit the Preliminary Application?
The Preliminary Application must be submitted prior to project completion. We recommend submitting the Preliminary Application early in the design phase, as it is a great opportunity to create a dialogue between Idaho Power and the design team. This helps ensure that all parties are familiar with the program offerings and requirements.
4. When should I submit the Final Application?
The Final Application and supporting documentation must be submitted within 90 days following project completion. Project completion is defined as the time an occupancy permit is attained or when all major construction is complete.
5. How much extra time/effort will this take?
This incentive program is designed to be easy to use. The application is a simple “menu” of energy efficiency measures that you can choose from. This should not take much time or effort and your design professional will be able to help. Idaho Power can assist you if you have any questions.
6. What documentation do I need other than the application forms?
A one-page application form along with design performance details, equipment cost invoices for each measure is all that's required.
Payment Information
1. How much can I receive?
Incentives are designed to average about half the additional cost of energy efficiency investments. In 2007, the maximum incentive payment for any one project completed was increased to $100,000.
2. How will my incentive be paid?
Idaho Power will provide you with a check after the work is completed and your final application for incentive payment is made. Idaho Power reserves the right to request additional details and/or inspect any project prior to issuing the incentive payment.
Other Incentive Programs
1. Are there similar programs for existing facilities?
Yes. Idaho Power now offers incentives for many typical equipment retrofits in existing commercial facilities through the Easy Upgrades program.
2. How do I apply for Easy Upgrades or Custom Efficiency incentives?
Building Efficiency, Easy Upgrades and Custom Efficiency incentives cannot be applied to the same design features, but they can be applied to separate measures on the same project. Custom Efficiency and Easy Upgrades projects require a Preliminary Application in most cases.
Program Background & Information
1. Why is Idaho Power sponsoring this program?
We are committed to offering services and information to our customers to help them use energy wisely. Efficiency programs like this help offset the need to build new power plants and to prevent the company from acquiring power from more expensive sources to meet customer demand.
2. Where do the funds for this program come from?
All of Idaho Power’s energy efficiency programs are funded through the Energy Efficiency Services funding collected monthly from Idaho customers as approved by the Idaho Public Utilities Commission and the Oregon Public Utility Commission.
Miscellaneous
1. Who can help me understand my design/technology options?
Your team of design professionals is a great place to start, they may have designed other efficient buildings. For additional energy-related questions, you can also contact an Idaho Power customer representative in your area. To reach the appropriate representative, call 388-2323 or 1-800-488-6151 from outside the Treasure Valley.
