Lincoln Electric System’s Sustainable Energy Program is spurring LES customers to become more energy efficient and boosting local economic activity for high-efficiency equipment, said LES Vice President of Consumer Services, J. Todd Hall.

Through the Sustainable Energy Program, LES works with local insulating, heating/cooling and lighting contractors to provide credits on equipment installed for residential, commercial and industrial customers to make their homes and businesses more energy efficient, he said.

“The Sustainable Energy Program continues to meet the community’s interest in improving their bottom line,” Hall said. “Wise energy decisions benefit everyone in Lincoln and Lancaster County, including locally-owned businesses and all ratepayers/owners.”

Dennis Biggerstaff, co-owner of Biggerstaff Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning, praised the program. “I can say nothing but good about the whole program,” Biggerstaff said. “Since the Sustainable Energy Program began, the sale of high-efficiency equipment has skyrocketed. Even our suppliers have contacted us to ask what we are doing to increase sales this much.”

“So far this year, LES has paid out about $800,000 to registered contractors participating in the program, and an additional $415,000 has been reserved for distribution,” Hall said. “Incentive funds are still available for LES customers with accounts in good standing, so there is time for interested contractors to register to participate.”

For customers to benefit from this year’s program, equipment must be purchased and installed by late November, Hall said. This will ensure each request can be processed and contractors reimbursed before the end of the calendar year. It also will allow customers to receive a federal tax credit for qualifying equipment, which is scheduled to run through Dec. 31.

The program offers the following incentives:

· Whole-House Sealing and Insulation – Residential customers in existing homes with no wall insulation and minimal attic insulation can qualify for up to 50 percent of the project cost up to $1,000 to seal penetrations and upgrade insulation to current code standards. Customers also may qualify for a federal tax credit.

· High-Efficiency Heat Pump and Central Air Conditioning – Residential and small- to mid-sized commercial customers are eligible for incentive payments when replacing existing cooling systems. Heat pumps with a SEER rating of 15-16.99 qualify for a $150 per ton credit and $500 per ton for a SEER rating of 17 or higher. Air conditioners with a SEER rating of 17.00 or higher qualify for a $250 per ton credit. Replacement projects are limited to 50 tons. Customers also may qualify for a federal tax credit.

· Commercial and Industrial Lighting Retrofit – Incentive payments of up to $75 per fixture are available for customers reducing energy consumption and costs associated with lighting.

· Commercial and Industrial Energy Efficiency – Large commercial and industrial customers can receive incentives for achieving energy and peak demand savings through one or more of the following demand-shifting or energy-efficiency measures: air conditioning/chiller replacement, efficient motors retrofit, variable frequency drives retrofit, compressed air systems audit and upgrade, energy management system installation or upgrade and systems commissioning. A custom program is also available for consideration of other peak demand and energy-efficiency measures.

To register to become a participating contractor in LES’ Sustainable Energy Program, visit LES’ website at the link below or call 402-473-3270.