Frequently Asked Questions: State Energy Efficiency Appliance Rebates
For more information, contact Linda King at 515-725-0082 or email.
Q: When will the program start?
A: After OEI receives U.S. Department of Energy approval, more information about how to apply will be available on the website.
Q: Who are the big three Energy Star Manufacturers in the state?
A: Lennox, Amana, and Electrolux
Q: Do you have to purchase one of these three companies’ products?
A: No
Q: What does AFUE stand for?
A: Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency. Indicated as a percentage, your furnace's AFUE tells you how much energy is being converted to heat. For example, an AFUE of 90 means that 90% of the fuel is being used to warm your home, while the other 10% escapes as exhaust with the combustion gases.
Q: What does SEER stand for?
A: Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, means the total cooling output of a central air conditioner in British thermal units (btu) during its normal usage period for cooling divided by the total electrical energy input in watt-hours during the same period as determined using the ARI-specified test procedure. This rating is only for units with cooling capacity less than 65,000 Btu/hr. The higher the SEER, the more efficient the unit.
Q: How long do we have to use the rebate?
A: Money is available on a first come first served basis. We suggest requesting rebates as quickly as possible.
Q: How do we secure the money for a rebate?
A: Once the OEI application is approved by the U.S. Department of Energy, more information will be available with a toll-free number and website for the rebate processor.
Q: Is it a tax return, check, rebate?
A: Cash rebate
Q: Will it expire?
A: Yes, it will expire once the money from US DOE for this program to Iowa is exhausted
Q: How many rebates can a person or a family have?
A: Rebates are limited to 1 appliance type per household. For example, a household could get a rebate for a dishwasher and a refrigerator, but a household canot get a rebate for a 12 cubic-foot refigerator and an 18 cubic-foot refrigerator.
Q: What all appliances are the rebates good for?
A: Any Energy Star or higher rated energy efficiency appliance.
Products to be Rebated |
Rebate Level ($) |
Targeted Quantity |
Total Cost |
Targeted # of Products Recycled |
Hot water heater (natural gas) |
$200 |
500 |
$100,000 |
500 |
Hot water heater (electric) |
$100 |
50 |
$5,000 |
50 |
Hot water heater (propane) |
$150 |
100 |
$15,000 |
100 |
Clothes washer (Energy Star) |
$200 |
400 |
$80,000 |
400 |
Clothes washer (Tier 3) |
$200 |
1200 |
$240,000 |
1200 |
Window air conditioner |
$100 |
200 |
$20,000 |
200 |
Dishwasher |
$200 |
700 |
$140,000 |
700 |
Dishwasher (Tier 2) |
$250 |
1000 |
$250,000 |
1000 |
Refrigerator 12+ cu ft and Energy Star |
$200 |
1000 |
$200,000 |
1000 |
Refrigerator 18+ cu ft and Tier 3 |
$500 |
3000 |
$1,500,000 |
3000 |
Boilers |
$200 |
100 |
$20,000 |
100 |
Central Air system SEER 14 |
$100 |
100 |
$10,000 |
100 |
Central air system SEER 15 |
$200 |
100 |
$20,000 |
100 |
Furnace AFUE 92-93% |
$200 |
50 |
$10,000 |
50 |
Furnace AFUE 94-95% |
$300 |
100 |
$30,000 |
100 |
Furnace AFUE 96% + |
$400 |
100 |
$40,000 |
100 |
Furnace propane 91.5 |
$150 |
50 |
$7,500 |
50 |
Furnace propane 93 |
$250 |
70 |
$17,500 |
70 |
Furnace propane 94.5 |
$350 |
100 |
$35,000 |
100 |
Total Rebates |
$2,740,000 |
Q: Where can I get a list of other rebates I can use?
A: Check with your local retailer, utility provider, or visit: Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency
Q: Where can I get a list of all energy star rated appliances?
A: Energy Star website or Super-Efficient Home Appliances Initiative website
Q: Where can I go to better understand the rating of appliances and the difference between qualities?
A: Energy Star website or Super-Efficient Home Appliances Initiative website
Q: Are there any rebates for proper installation of the appliances?
A: No. Rebates are only for the appliance.
Q: What if I find an appliance that is semi-used but is an Energy Star rated? Can I buy it?
A: It must be a new appliance that has not previously been used.
Q: What if I find an appliance for less than the rebate?
A: The rebate is up to the amount of the sale price.
Q: What if I have a window air conditioner now and want to upgrade to a central air system? Can I do that?
A: Yes. The rebate would be active for the new appliance purchased.
Q: What if I have a propane furnace and want to go to an electric? Can I do that or vice versa?
A: When purchasing an appliance, it is up to the consumer to decide what fuel they prefer to use.
Q: What if I bought an appliance before the rebate came out? Can I get refunded for anything?
A: No.
Q: What if I own more than one house and would like to replace more than one houses appliance?
A: Each address is eligible, if it is your residence, not rental property.
Q: Can a retailer take the rebate?
A: The retailer will not be involved in the rebate process. Your purchase will be rebated to you after the purchase of the appliance.
Q: How do we apply for the rebate?
A: Pending U.S. Department of Energy approval of OEI's application, more information will be provided regarding the application process.
Q: What is the difference between energy star, tier 1, tier 2, tier 3?’
A: “The ENERGY STAR tier ratings are designed to introduce new specifications for a particular product in phases. For example, Version 2.0 of the ENERGY STAR specifications for furnaces was introduced in two phases. The first phase of the new specifications, or Tier I requirements, went into effect on October 27, 2006. All products, including models originally qualified under Version 1.3, with a date of manufacture on or after October 27, 2006, needed to meet the new (Version 2.0) requirements in order to qualify for ENERGY STAR. The second phase, or Tier 2 requirements, incorporated the new requirements established under Tier 1 plus additional requirements that became effective on October 1, 2008. Now, all products, including models originally qualified under Tier 1, with a date of manufacture on or after October 1, 2008, must meet the Tier 2 requirements in order to qualify for ENERGY STAR. Therefore, ENERGY STAR qualified products do not need to indicate which tier they qualify under because by definition they qualified under which ever requirement was effective at that time.”
Q: Do I have to live full time in Iowa to receive this rebate?
A: Yes.
Q: How do we know when the retailer will take the rebate?
A: The retailer will not take the rebate. It is the customer’s responsibility to request the rebate from the rebate processing company, once a company is chosen by OEI.
Q: Does the appliance that we are replacing have to be older than a certain date? Or be a level of inefficient? Or be a certain size?
A: No. The purchased appliance must be full-sized according to industry standard and Energy Star rated.
Q: Do I have to take the appliance to a demanufacturer? What is a demanufacturer? What happens if I do? What happens if I don’t?
A: No, however we are asking participants to recycle appliances properly per local and state environmental regulations. A demanufacturer takes apart appliances and recycles the steel, copper and other things out of appliances, cars, etc. they can sell. They are also permitted and instructed on how to take pollutants like refrigerants out of old appliances properly
If you do, your appliance will be recycled properly. If you don't, you can take it to your local Regional Collection Center (RCC) or call a licensed demanufacturer for a pick up.
Q: Are there size limits, either too big or small on:
Water heaters? 40 gallons or larger
Clothes washer? Full size
Window AC? no size limit
Dishwasher? Full size
Refrigerator? must be 12 cu feet or larger to qualify
Central Air? no size limit
Furnace? No size limit
Q: How do we find how much funding is left for each category?
A: Information will be posted on the OEI website.
Q: Where is the money coming from?
A: The American Recovery & Reinvestment Act.
Q: Can you buy a new appliance and keep the old?
A: No, this new appliance must replace the old appliance.
Q: Can you buy a new appliance without an old one?
A: No, this is for replacement purchasing only.
Q: Can you order the appliance online?
A: No
Q: Can you buy an appliance at any store in Iowa?
A: Yes.
Q: Is there an age limit? Income limit?
A: You must be 18 years of age. There is no income limit for the program.
Q: What do I have to turn in to get the rebate?
A: Sales receipt and application form. Any additional paperwork will be determined.
Q: How long before I receive my rebate check? Will it be a check or a pre-paid credit card?
A: It will be 3 -4 weeks for your rebate to be processed and sent to you. We do not know if it will be a check or card, that depends on the processor that is hired.
Q: Where can I check on the status of my rebate?
A: The processor will answer all questions.
Q: How do I take advantage of more than 1 rebate program (such as one the utility company offers)?
A: Because only one original receipt comes from the retailer, and all the rebates want original receipts, it is still being determined how it can be done.
Q:
Why are rebates available for clothes washers, but not clothes dryers?
A: Rebate program funding is limited and we choose not to fund dryer rebates.
Q: I’m an appliance retailer. How do I know what models fall under your rebate program?
A: You will be sent a letter from OEI describing the program and allowing you to ask questions.
Q: Can I get a rebate for recycling my old appliance?
A: No.
Q: I’m a resident of Iowa - can I buy an appliance in another state and receive a rebate?
A: No. You must live in Iowa and purchase the appliance in Iowa.
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