Rebates

The Advanced Energy Fund is a public benefit fund administered by the Ohio Development Services Agency. The Advanced Energy Fund is not currently being actively lent. Instead, the Advanced Energy Loan fund assets are used to fill other actively lending funds such as the Energy Loan Fund. Energize Ohio is a compilation of state programs that works to promote energy incentives, find programs to meet your needs at their site. 

Ohio's Advanced Energy Fund was originally authorized by the state's 1999 electric restructuring legislation. The Fund supports the Advanced Energy Program, which at different times has provided grants for

This bond-funded program creates an Advanced Energy Job Stimulus Fund that is administered through a public process previously managed by the Ohio Air Quality Development Authority (OAQDA). Beginning in 2012, the program is managed by the Ohio Development Services Agency. The Program will award funds to a portfolio of advanced energy projects. These projects will serve to attract new investment to Ohio, build upon Ohio's manufacturing strength, advance energy technology development toward commercialization and prepare Ohio's workforce for the future. Detailed definitions of eligible advanced energy projects and renewable energy resources may be found in ORC 3706.25.

House Bill 166

AEP Ohio offers a variety of rebates to its residential customers for the installation of energy-efficient measures. Rebates are available for clothes washers, dehumidifiers, smart thermostats, VSD pool pumps, electric heat pump water heaters, air source heat pumps, mini-split ductless heat pumps, geothermal heat pumps, and refrigerator/freezer recycling. Additionally, AEP Ohio provides a multifamily direct install program which allows property managers to install Energy Star LEDs, high efficiency showerheads, and energy efficient faucet aerators at zero cost. Visit the program website for more information.

Ohio House Bill 6 was enacted into law October 21, 2019. As a result, mandated energy efficiency programs offered by electric utilities in the State of Ohio ended December 31, 2020.

AES Ohio recognizes the value energy efficiency programs bring to home and business customers and is evaluating the potential to continue programs in the future.

Currently AES only offers incentives on Smart Thermostats sold through AES Ohio Marketplace.

The Ohio Air Quality Development Authority (OAQDA) provides assistance for new air quality projects in Ohio, for both small and large businesses. For qualifying projects, OAQDA can provide a 100 percent exemption from the tangible personal property tax (on property purchased as part of an air quality project), real property tax (on real property comprising an air quality project), a portion of the corporate franchise tax (under the net worth base calculation), sales and use tax (on the personal property purchased specifically for the air quality project only) as long as the bond or note issued by OAQDA is outstanding

Background

In May 2008, Ohio enacted broad electric industry restructuring legislation (S.B. 221) containing an Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard (AEPS), featuring advanced energy and renewable energy generation and procurement requirements for the state's electric distribution utilities and electric service companies (hereafter referred to as utilities). This definition encompasses all retail electricity providers except municipal utilities and electric cooperatives. The target was frozen in 2014 for two years, removing the previous 12.5% requirement for advanced energy resources as well. The standard target was reduced in 2019 by H.B. 6 to 8.5% by 2026.

By end of year	Renewable

Efficiency Smart®  provides energy efficiency services to public power communities that subscribe to its services.   Efficiency Smart assists residential, commercial, and industrial customers of these participating municipal electric systems to reduce their energy consumption and save money through improved energy efficiency. Visit www.efficiencysmart.org for more information on this program.

 

Much of the information presented in this summary is drawn from the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Building Energy Codes Program and the Building Codes Assistance Project (BCAP). For more detailed information about building energy codes, visit the DOE and BCAP websites.

The Board of Building Standards is the primary state agency that protects the public's safety by: adopting rules governing the construction, repair, and rehabilitation of buildings in the state; certifying municipal, township, and county building departments to administer the code; and establishing minimum standards for construction materials.

The 2016 Ohio Building Code (OBC), adopted by the Board of

Butler Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc. provides low-interest loans to qualifying members for energy efficiency improvements, air-source heat pumps, and geothermal systems at 100 percent of the cost of the project up to $25,000. The current interest rate is 4.5%. An energy Audit is required for all geothermal and heat pump installations (replacements excluded) prior to approval. See program website for further details.

 

Butler Rural Electric Cooperative provides rebates for geothermal heat pumps, electric heat pumps, smart thermostats, and water heaters. A $1,200 rebate is available to residential members that install a new geothermal heat pump in eligible homes, or $600 for members that replace a geothermal heat pump. A $600 rebate is available for members that install a new dual fuel heating system, or $300 for a replacement dual fuel or air source heat pump. Additional rebates for both heat pumps include a $0.02/kWh reduced rate on customers' electric bill. Smart thermostat rebates are offered at a maximum of $150 per unit

CenterPoint Energy Delivery of Ohio, formerly Vectren Energy Delivery of Ohio, offers residential natural gas customers in Ohio rebates for the installation of certain high efficiency natural gas appliances and building insulation. Rebates are available for furnaces, boilers, home insulation & sealing, and programmable thermostats.
In order to be eligible for a rebate, equipment must meet certain efficiency and installation requirements. Please see the program website for a list of appliance models that meet the minimum standards. CenterPoint reserves the right to verify sales receipts and perform post-installation verification inspections.

The City of Cincinnati offers property tax abatements for residential and commercial buildings constructed or renovated to meet LEED certification standards. The original green building tax abatement ordinance was passed in 2006 and has been amended four times since, culminating in the current abatement rules clarifications passed December 19, 2012. The incentive is available for any building within city limits and does not require a demonstration of financial need. The residential designation applies to structures with up to three units and residential condominiums, while residential structures with four or more units are classified as commercial buildings. Industrial structures are also

 The City of Cincinnati and the Greater Cincinnati Energy Alliance have partnered to provide rebate incentives for homeowners in Cincinnati. To qualify for rebates, homeowners must receive a Home Performance with Energy Star energy assessment, which is provided at a discount price through Greater Cincinnati Energy Alliance.  Total project must be a minimum of $1,000 to be eligible for rebates, and the maximum incentive that can be claimed through this program is $1,500. Homeowners can apply for rebates up to 50% on upgrades such as:

• Envelope air sealing:  $500
• Insulation: $500
• Duct Sealing:  $250
• HVAC: $500
• Water heaters:  $250

The City of Cleveland, in cooperation with the Cuyahoga County Auditor's Office, provides a 10 to 15 year 100% tax abatement for increases in assessed real estate value for eligible residential projects. All projects are required to be built to the Cleveland Green Building Standard.  Abatements are avialable to both homeowners and developers. The abatement is for 10-15 years depending on the type of project and is for the portion of the increased property tax that results because of the improvement to the property. The following types of projects may qualify:

• New construction of single-family homes or multifamily investor-owned properties

Columbia Gas of Ohio (CGO) offers energy efficiency rebates for furnaces, boilers, and water heaters that enroll in the Home Performance Solutions Program.

The Home Performance Solutions Program requires that a representative of Conservation Services Group inspect and test the home before informing the residents of recommended measures and possible incentives. The resident may contact a qualifying contractor to install the equipment; approved contractors are listed on the program web site.

For Income Eligible Customers, CGO also offers home weatherization measures, safety checks of natural gas appliances, energy inspections, natural gas furnace repair or replacement, and natural gas water heater

Consolidated Electric Cooperative provides rebates to residential customers who install heat pumps, geothermal heat pumps, water heaters, level-2 EV chargers, ENERGY-STAR refrigerators and smart thermostats.

To apply for any of the rebates, call Consolidated at 800-421-5863. Visit the program website for more information on these programs.

The Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Program uses a whole-house approach to lower energy costs. CLEAResult's energy auditors will conduct a free audit of your home, installing high-efficiency showerheads, kitchen and bathroom faucet aerators, carbon monoxide detectors and water heater pipe wrap. Using diagnostic equipment, the auditors will test the home and identify energy efficiency improvements.

Once the assessment is complete, the customer can decide which energy efficiency measures may be worth installing. The Program offers a number of rebates, depending on the type of work that is being done. Projects must be completed by qualified participating contractors.

Visit the

Duke Energy provides a financial incentive for its residential customers to purchase energy efficient HVAC products through the Smart $aver program. To receive the rebate, the customer's HVAC contractor must complete a Smart $aver Incentive Application form for each unit installed. Measures must be installed by a participating contractor. Visit the program website for more information.

The Energy Conversation for Ohioans (ECO-Link) program offers Ohio homeowners reduced rate financing for energy efficiency and renewable energy home upgrades. Administered by the Ohio Treasury, qualifying homeowners are eligible for a 3% loan rate reduction through participating banks.*

Qualifying Technology
A wide range of energy-efficiency upgrades and certain renewable-energy systems may be undertaken, including:

• Appliances (must meet established efficiency standards)
Battery Chargers, Clothes Washers, Dehumidifiers, Dishwashers, Refrigerators, Freezers, Room Air Conditioners, Room Air Cleaners
• Water Heaters (must meet established efficiency standards)
Gas Condensing, Heat Pump, High-Efficiency Gas Storage, Solar Water Heaters, Whole-Home Gas Tankless
• Heating & Cooling
Air-source

Ohio may provide a sales and use tax exemption for certain tangible personal property used in energy conversion, solid waste energy conversion, or thermal efficiency improvement facilities designed, constructed, or installed after December 31, 1974. 

Qualifying energy conversion facilities are those that are used for the primary purpose of converting natural gas or fuel oil to an alternate fuel or power source excluding propane, butane, naphtha, fuel oil, or natural gas. Solid waste conversion facilities include those that convert solid or semi-solid waste from industrial operations including public utilities, commercial distribution, research, agricultural, and community operations, and including garbage, street

The Ohio School Facilities Commission (OSFC) administers funds appropriated by the Ohio General Assembly for the construction of new schools and renovations of existing schools. In September 2007 the OSFC approved a resolution (Resolution 07-124) requiring that all new school construction projects not already in the design phase achieve LEED for Schools Silver certification, with a goal of achieving LEED for Schools Gold certification. Credits under LEED Energy and Atmosphere Category are considered to be "preferred" investments, although the regulation sets no specific standard for this category outside of the existing certification prerequisites.

The overall program is expected

Note: Loan applications for fiscal year 2023 will be accepted on a first come, first served basis.

The Energy Loan Fund provides low-cost financing for energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements to Ohio-based businesses with less than 500 employees, manufacturers enrolled in the Energy Efficiency Program for Manufacturers, nonprofits, and public entities. For further information regarding eligibility, please view the Program Guidelines.

Loans can range between $250,000 and $2 million depending on the project. Funding is provided through the Ohio Advanced Energy Fund and the Federal State Energy Program.

The applications must demonstrate a minimum 15% reduction in energy use

The Energy Loan Fund provides low-cost financing to Ohio-based small businesses, manufacturers, nonprofits,  and public entities for energy efficiency improvements. Through the Energy Loan Fund eligible applicants receive low-interest financing to install efficiency measures that reduce energy by at least 15 percent. For further information regarding eligibility, please view the Program Guidelines and Application Process. The Energy Loan Fund is managed by the Ohio Development Services Agency. Funding is provided through the Ohio Advanced Energy Fund and the Federal State Energy Program.

Project Funding

Funding available under these Guidelines is up to $9.5 million in state funds for Fiscal 

Firelands Electric Cooperative (FEC) is offering rebates on energy efficient equipment to residential customers receiving electric service from FEC. Eligible equipment includes:

• Appliance Rebates
  
• Level-2 EV Chargers
  
• Electric Water Heater Rebates
• Geothermal & Heat Pump Rebates
• PeakBuster Air Conditioning Incentives
• Smart Thermostat Rebates
  
• Weatherization Rebates

Visit program web site listed above for other program information or to find application information.

 

 

Note: Check the program website for the most recent Requests for Proposals.

As part of its Electric Security Plan, FirstEnergy will periodically solicit proposals for Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) and Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs). Proposals were accepted for long-term contracts, and the recent short-term contract window has closed. Requests for proposals will not be available at regular intervals; check the program website for current information regarding application due dates. FirstEnergy will not be purchasing energy or energy capacity under this proposal. All application materials are available on the program website, and all applicants must be certified by the Public

With funding from The Sierra Club, Green Energy Ohio (GEO) is offering rebates on residential properties in Ohio for solar water heating systems purchased after April 1, 2009. The rebates are based on the projected energy output from the solar collectors and are calculated at $30 per kBtu/day (based on SRCC rating for "Clear Day/C Interval"). The maximum amount is 20% of the contracted solar thermal project cost .

There are two parts to the application. PART I of the application collects information on the applicant, the installer (which must be from a list of GEO-approved installers), proposed equipment and system

The Home Improvement Program (HIP) in Hamilton County, Ohio, originally opened in 2002, and was reinstated in May 2008. The HIP loan allows homeowners in Hamilton County communities to borrow money to repair or remodel homes or rental property at interest rates 3% below the lowest rate a bank would normally offer. The following banks participate: Fifth Third Bank, U.S. Bank, KeyBank, North Side Bank and First Safety Bank. The HIP loan is usually structured as a home equity loan, secured by a second mortgage on the property. Credit requirements apply.

Eligible residential (one- or two-family homes) and commercial properties

Note: The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) opened a docket (Case 12-2051-EL-RDR) to review interconnection rules for investor-owned utilities. The PUCO adopted amended rules for electric generator interconnection service and standards, in accordance with the State of Ohio’s 5-year rule review procedures. The amended rules became effective on July 10, 2014.

Ohio's interconnection standards provide for three levels of review for the interconnection of DG systems up to 20 megawatts (MW) in capacity. 

All applicants are eligible but not required to request pre-application report that provides site-specific information. Interested applicants can choose to obtain this pre-application report

Note:  In 2010, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), which has authority over mortgage underwriters Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, directed these enterprises against purchasing mortgages of homes with a PACE lien due to its senior status above a mortgage. Most residential PACE activity subsided following this directive; however, some residential PACE programs are now operating with loan loss reserve funds, appropriate disclosures, or other protections meant to address FHFA's concerns. Commercial PACE programs were not directly affected by FHFA’s actions, as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac do not underwrite commercial mortgages. Visit PACENation for more information about PACE financing

Ohio's net-metering law requires electric distribution utilities to offer net metering to customers who generate electricity using wind energy, solar energy, biomass, landfill gas, hydropower, fuel cells, or microturbines. Net-metered customers are required to use a single meter capable of recording the flow of electricity in each direction. Under the state's net-metering law, competitive retail electric service (CRES) providers are not required to enter into a net metering contract with a customer. Electric utilities must offer a standard net metering tariff to all requesting customers.

Net-metered systems must meet safety standards specified by the National Electrical Code (NEC), the Institute

Ohio's solar-easement provisions are similar to those in effect in other states. Ohio law allows property owners to create binding solar easements for the purpose of protecting and maintaining proper access to sunlight. Easements must be executed in writing and are subject to the same conveyance and recording requirements as other easements.

A solar access easement agreement shall include:

1. A description of the real property burdened and and benefited by the easement
2. A description of the limits in heights, locations, or both, of permissible development on the burdened land in terms of structures, vegetation, or both, for the purpose of

Pioneer's Energy Advisor Program offers three services to help understand energy use: In-Depth Phone Audit, Check Appliance Energy Use with a Kill A Watt Meter; and Blower Door Test and Infrared Inspection.

Note: According to the Ohio Development Services Agency website, the owner or lessee subject to sale leaseback transaction must apply to Development Services Agency on or before December 31, 2015  to qualify for this tax credit.

Ohio's Renewable and Advanced Energy Project Property Tax Exemption, enacted with the passage of Ohio S.B. 232 in the summer of 2010, exempts qualified energy projects in Ohio from public utility tangible personal property taxes and real property taxes. Before passage of S.B. 232, a renewable energy facility in Ohio that sold electricity to a third-party was considered a "public utility" for tax

The Qualified Energy Project Tax Exemption

This program provides owners (or lessees) of renewable energy projects with an exemption from the public utility tangible personal property tax. A person may apply to the director of development for certification of an energy project as a qualified energy project on or before December 31, 2024, for an energy project using renewable energy resources

For Whom
In order to qualify, the owner or lessee subject to sale leaseback transaction must apply to the Ohio Department of Development on or before December 31, 2024 for renewable energy projects.

Large projects (above 20 mega-watts) require

Compliance goals were revised by House Bill 6 in 2019 that reduced the renewable portfolio requirements of all electric distribution utilities in the state. House Bill 6 eliminated the solar carve-out in Ohio's Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard (AEPS). House Bill 6 also created a Renewable Generation Fund to provide fixed payments for energy generated by certain renewable facilities; this was changed to only solar by House Bill 128 in 2021. Solar facilities that obtained a certificate for construction of a major utility facility before June 1, 2019 are eligible for payments of $9.00 per SREC. Payments will end in 2028

South Central Power Company provides several resources to help customers save energy, including tips and an energy advisor.

The Energy Cooperative offers incentives to residential customers for a variety of energy efficient home equipment. New equipment must be installed in eligible homes and can be purchased from a dealer of choice. Contact the Energy Cooperative and fill out the necessary forms prior to the installation of a new system. Upon inspection by The Energy Cooperative, a rebate check will be sent to the customer. More information and eligibility requirements are available on the program web site.