Business Rebate FAQs

All OPPD business customers with accounts in good standing may qualify for rebates. 

Applications need to be completed by a participating Trade Ally with input from the customer. All Trade Allies have agreed to complete applications on behalf of the customer unless otherwise specified. Trade Allies have attended training to learn the application process in detail. They are also the source for up-to-date information about the program. Always work through an approved Trade Ally.

A Participating Trade Ally can be a contractor, distributor, manufacturer or other company who has committed to OPPD’s Trade Ally application, and successfully attended and completed OPPD Rebate Program training. It is mandatory for each Trade Ally to come to training to stay current on changes or additions to rebate programs. 

Your selected Trade Ally will complete and submit an OPPD rebate application with the required supporting documents. OPPD will preapprove the rebate and send a confirmation email. After project completion, you or your trade ally submits an invoice to OPPD for rebate payment.

Rebates can take up to 45 days to process after the invoice and/or required documentation arrives at OPPD. 

A rebate check is sent from OPPD to the person or entity listed on the application. Typically, the rebate goes to the customer or the trade ally. 

All projects must be preapproved in order to ensure funding. This project may not be able to receive an OPPD rebate. Preapprovals will arrive via email, providing documentation the rebate you expect has been set aside. We use preapprovals to make the program fair to all customer owners and to ensure rebate dollars are used for energy efficiency projects that would not have occurred without them. If you have a unique situation please contact us for further review and possible funding at BusinessRebates@oppd.com. 

Visit the Business Rebates page to find rebate information for the following programs:

Lighting Upgrades & Lighting Controls
HVAC Equipment & Chillers
Advanced Rooftop Unit Controllers
Custom Projects

No. We review each project to make sure it falls within our terms and conditions, and to ensure funding is available. Starting the project before receiving a preapproval confirmation could be risky. Always make sure you have your preapproval to insure a rebate will be waiting for you.

Funding has always been available for rebates in the past. If funds run low, OPPD will notify the Trade Allies and information will be posted on our website.

Our rebate programs are designed to cover approximately 20 percent of the installed cost. However, individual manufacturer, distributor or contractor prices can fluctuate substantially based on many criteria including the number of units purchased, the ease of access to the equipment, etc. As the program matures, experience will help us calculate an average. In the meantime, it’s best to consult with our Trade Allies to determine final costs, simple paybacks and the impact of the rebate.

Contact the Trade Ally that worked on your project if you have problems with the installation or operation of equipment.

A participating Trade Ally can almost always provide a no cost, no obligation quote for Lighting, ARC and HVAC installations. Or, email BusinessRebates@oppd.com for more information. We will provide answers to your emailed questions within two business days.

Rebates for HVAC are for equipment with EER above 2015 code. However, there is still a standard $50 per nominal ton rebate for conversion and new construction of a heat pump system. Rebates are based on the energy efficiency ratio (EER), according to the Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) equipment rating. An AHRI certificate is one of the required documents needed for OPPD to process your rebate.

Let us know! We will rush the preapproval process. You or your trade ally should email BusinessRebates@oppd.com or call 402-636-3536 as soon as possible and explain the situation.

Yes. As long as your installation exceeds 2015 code. There is an additional $50 per ton for new and conversion heat pump installations regardless of code level.

No. The only time recycling documentation is necessary is in a lamp upgrade rebate to show that energy efficient lighting was installed in place of old lighting technology. That means going from F32 T8s to F32 T8 28 watt, or F32 T8 25 watt. Without the recycling statement the more efficient lamps could have been placed in a warehouse and not installed. See the Lighting configurations sheet for more information.

Only parking garage lighting is eligible for rebates, and only if it is on during daylight hours during the summer.  Our rebate program is designed around decreasing summer peak demand. Outdoor lighting after sundown does not affect our peak. Refer to the Lighting Rebate Application for the program definition of parking garage.

A roof top unit (RTU) is the equipment used to condition and circulate air as part of a heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.

An ARC is fairly new technology developed to be retrofit to an existing RTU. ARCs can make RTUs up to 70 percent more energy efficient. These upgrades adjust the way the RTU operates in order to save energy, while still keeping occupants comfortable. 

RTUs are historically inefficient and generally purchased because of their low initial cost. Many times, operating costs are not considered in their purchase. Industry experience also shows that most RTUs are larger than they need to be, which results in wasted energy. The upgrades that OPPD offers rebates on result in the RTUs operating only at the level needed, saving you energy and money.

RTU’s from 1 to 20 tons with one or two compressors qualify. The RTUs must be well maintained. A three-year maintenance agreement is also required to qualify for the rebate.

During the ARC Rebate Program research phase, OPPD found that RTU add-ons can increase RTU efficiency, on average, by 40 percent. However, your specific energy- and cost-savings depends on many other factors such as operating hours, number of occupants in the space, number of RTUs, what other equipment is included in your bill, etc. In order to get a better idea of what kind of savings you can expect, we recommend working closely with a Trade Ally and asking specifically about kilowatt-hour (kWh) savings. 

Visit Trade Ally Central to find information needed to become a trade ally. 

Trade Allies have the ability to bring OPPD Rebates to customers which can increase your company sales. We think it’s a win-win situation! 

All paperwork needs to be completed by an approved a Trade Ally with input from the customer. All Trade Allies agree to complete all application paperwork on behalf of the customer unless otherwise specified. An application submitted by a customer will delay the process and, in some cases, be denied. 

Unfortunately, this project will typically not be eligible for a rebate. Without an application, there is no record the installation was actually done during the current program term. Rebate amounts may have changed or the program may have been modified in ways that would disallow the payment or affect the amount.

Always stress the importance of the application process. If you find yourself in this situation, please bring it to our attention as soon as possible so that we can discuss possible outcomes.