The Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska, in partnership with the local electric utilities it serves, will continue to provide a suite of energy efficiency programs for the 2025-26 fiscal year. The programs provide financial incentives to customers who are seeking to save money and reduce their energy usage.
With summer approaching, now is a great time to remind customers there are savings options available to help offset the cost of energy efficiency upgrades to homes and businesses.
MEAN offers four energy efficiency programs to assist residential customers looking to make energy efficiency improvements through attic insulation, smart thermostats, high efficiency heat pumps and cooling system tune-ups.
The LED lighting program for commercial customers will also continue for the fiscal year to aid in the cost of LED lighting upgrades and replacements to businesses, churches, schools, and municipal buildings.
These programs are open to customers of MEAN long-term wholesale power participants, with incentives paid on a first-come, first-served basis while funds last.
Cooling System Tune-up Program
The program provides a $30 cash incentive to residential homeowners who have their cooling system tuned up by a HVAC contractor, regardless of the type or age of cooling system. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, regular maintenance of your HVAC system helps ensure that the system is operating efficiently and has the potential to lower your air conditioner's energy consumption by 5% to 15%.
High Efficiency Heat Pump Program
Provides cash incentives from $400 to $3,000 to residential homeowners who are installing a new heat pump system to their residential single-family dwelling. Heating and cooling systems are the largest user of energy in all homes. Installing a high efficiency heat pump can save up to 50% on your home heating bills as they deliver energy more efficiently than other sources.
Smart Thermostat Program
Provides a cash incentive of up to $100 paid directly to residential customers to help cover the cost of installing a wi-fi enabled smart thermostat. A smart thermostat is a great option to reduce energy usage in households that have extended periods during the day when no one is home, those that turn their thermostat down during bedtime hours or those that have irregular occupancy through the week, month, or year.
Attic Insulation Program
The Attic Insulation Program provides cash incentives of $0.15/per square foot with a maximum incentive of $300 per existing residential dwelling for attic insulation. To qualify, dwellings must use electricity as the primary fuel source for heating.
Commercial LED Lighting Program
This program offers cash incentives paid directly to commercial customers to help cover the cost of lighting upgrades and replacements using LED (Light Emitting Diode) technology. LED lighting products can be seven times more efficient than conventional incandescent lights, with the potential to cut energy use drastically and offer a much longer lifetime than previous lighting technologies.
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For more information regarding MEAN's energy efficiency programs, click here.