ENERGY INCENTIVE OPPORTUNITIES
Public Sector: DCEO Information
Public sector customers are eligible for incentives through the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO) Illinois Energy Now program. Energy efficiency incentives for the public sector are available to customers of ComEd (electric), Ameren Illinois (gas and electric), Nicor Gas, North Shore Gas, or Peoples Gas.
DCEO is the lead agency charged with growing the state’s economy. DCEO Illinois Energy Now Public Sector Energy Efficiency program is designed for participants to achieve targeted annual energy savings goals.
These programs are offered to the public sector in ComEd and Ameren Illinois electric service territories: Ameren Illinois, Nicor Gas, Peoples Gas or North Shore Gas natural gas service areas. Public sector participants can be from federal, state, and local government units, including county, township, and municipal offices, as well as public safety, water and park districts, and public schools, community colleges, public universities, and colleges.
DCEO Illinois Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standards (EEPS) programs focus on facilities at local, state, and federal government, public schools, community colleges, public universities, and colleges. ComEd and Ameren Illinois have similar programs which are offered to residential, commercial, and industrial sectors.
For more information, visit www.illinoisenergy.org.
Standard and Custom Incentive programs
The Standard Incentive Program provides set incentive levels for common retrofits for Lighting, HVAC, Water Heaters, Motors, Variable Frequency Drives and Kitchen Equipment. The Custom Incentive Program provides incentives for energy efficiency improvements not listed in the Standard Incentive Program.
Both the Standard and Custom Incentive Programs are focused on offsetting the costs of improvements that require capital investment in new equipment.
For Lighting projects, submit a Light Survey containing the required information to DCEO. Please submit the spreadsheet or use this fillable Light Survey form.
For T-8 Fluorescent lamp retrofits, the lamps and ballast must be listed in the CEE (Consortium for Energy Efficiency) High Performance T-8 Qualifying Lamps and Ballasts or Reduced Wattage T-8 Qualifying Lamps and Ballasts lists.
DCEO contact: 1-800-785-6055, illinois.energy@illinois.gov
New Construction (NC) program
The NC program provides grants to public sector entities to encourage applicants to design new or rehab buildings to achieve the greatest level of energy efficiency.
The program offers $/kWh incentives for facility design improvements beyond code. Buildings seeking LEED certification will also qualify for a design bonus on beyond code performance. Estimated electricity savings must be documented by energy modeling and/or supporting calculations. This program is part of the Illinois Energy Efficiency Portfolio and is limited to ComEd and Ameren Illinois electric service territories; Ameren Illinois, Nicor Gas, Peoples Gas or North Shore Gas natural gas service areas. The New Construction Program is managed by the Smart Energy Design Assistance Center (SEDAC).
DCEO contact: Tom Coe, 217-785-2433, tom.coe@illinois.gov
Retro-commissioning (RCx) program
Provides funding to identify and implement low cost tune-ups and adjustments that improve the efficiency of operating systems in existing public buildings by returning them to intended operation or design specifications, with a focus on building controls and HVAC systems.
Retro-commissioning services are delivered through a network of commissioning providers that have been trained in program protocols and participation processes. This program is part of the Illinois Energy Efficiency Portfolio and is limited to ComEd and Ameren Illinois electric service territories; Ameren Illinois, Nicor Gas, Peoples Gas or North Shore Gas natural gas service areas.
DCEO contact: Tom Coe, 217-785-2433, tom.coe@illinois.gov
Public Housing Authority (PHA) Efficient Living Illinois
DCEO offers the Efficient Living Illinois Public Housing Authority Energy Program.
This program encourages public housing authorities and their residents to incorporate renewable energy systems and energy cost reduction practices into their daily operations.
Illinois Lights for Learning Fundraiser
The Illinois Lights for Learning Fundraiser is a unique educational opportunity for Illinois students to earn money for their school or organization by selling money saving, energy efficient Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs (CFLs).
Participating schools keep 50% of the proceeds and presentations are provided to educate students and their community about the environmental and financial benefits of using CFLs. The program is administered for Illinois by the Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance.
Contact: MEEA http://www.mwalliance.org/programs/lights-learning
Illinois Energy Efficient Affordable Housing Construction Program (EEAHCP)
Under this Program, grants are provided to Illinois-based, non-profit and for-profit housing developers to encourage energy efficient building practices in the rehab or new construction of affordable housing units.
Average energy savings range from 50% to 75%.
Energy efficient building practices required by DCEO under the Program are:
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R-21 blown insulation in sidewalls
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R-44 attic insulation
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R-10 foundation insulation
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High efficiency, sealed combustion furnace or boiler
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Sealed combustion water heater
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Exhaust ventilation in bathrooms and kitchens
Goals of the Program include:
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Demonstrate the impact of energy efficiency in creating and maintaining affordable housing
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Show that lower housing costs can be achieved with energy efficiency
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Treat the house as a system, focusing on energy efficiency, indoor air quality and occupant comfort
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Identify and maximize the cost-effective energy efficiency opportunities present in rehab and new construction
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Educate developers, architects and builders of diverse energy efficient building measures and “green” building products to encourage their use on other non-funded DCEO projects
DCEO contact: Don Falls, 217-785-1997, don.falls@illinois.gov
Private Sector Information
Energy efficiency incentives for private sector are available to customers of ComEd (electric) through Smart Ideas, Ameren Illinois (gas and electric) through ActOnEnergy, Nicor (gas), North Shore (gas), or Peoples Gas (gas). Eligible business customers apply for Illinois Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard (EEPS) money directly through your subscribed utility delivery provider.
Learn more about your eligibility for specific incentives by consulting your utility delivery company. Information and links to major providers are provided below.
ComEd
- Apply for Smart Ideas Incentives
- Smart Ideas for your Business
- Business Energy Analysis Tool
- Find a ComEd trade ally
- Retro-commissioning
- ComEd Training
- ComEd customer questions about energy incentives: call your ComEd account manager (or external affairs manager) or send an email to comedsmartideas@kema.com or call 1-888-806-2273.
Ameren Illinois
Ameren delivers gas to approximately 840,000 customers, as well as electricity to 1.2 million residences and businesses in Illinois.
Questions about the ActOnEnergy program?
Go to Business Program FAQ or
email: ActOnEnergy@Ameren.com
Phone: (866) 800-0747.
- Find an ActOnEnergy program ally
Look up HVAC/Water heater Incentives - Interested in the e-smart programmable thermostat? List of Installers
Nicor
Nicor Gas serves over 2 million customers and is the largest natural gas distributor in northern Illinois.
- Nicor Gas Energy Efficiency Program is designed to offer ideas and tools to help Illinois residents and businesses in Nicor's territory save energy and money. The Program provides Nicor Gas customers with energy education, resources and financial rebates to make business energy use more efficient and affordable. www.nicorgasrebates.com
North Shore Gas
North Shore Gas Natural Gas Savings Program
Peoples Gas
- The Peoples Gas Natural Gas Savings Program offers incentives to encourage business customers to make energy-efficient improvements. Rebates are available to non-residential customers for qualifying high efficiency furnaces, boilers, water heaters, commercial kitchen products, and other measures. Peoples Gas Natural Gas Savings Program
Other Incentive Opportunities
The following energy delivery companies do not participate in DCEO EEPS, however they each offer energy incentives to eligible customers.
Illinois Customers who are not eligible for SEDAC services may find incentives from IMEA, MidAmerican Energy, Springfield CWLP, or ICECF.
IMEA
- Electric Efficiency Incentives are now available for eligible customers of municipal electric utilities who are members of the Illinois Municipal Electric Agency (IMEA).
- For IMEA information, go to http://imea.org/EnergyEfficiency.aspx
MidAmerican Energy
- EnergyAdvantage For Your Business
- An energy efficiency program for Illinois clients can be found at: www.midamericanenergy.com
Springfield City Water Light and Power
- More to come...
Financial incentives are available for both public sector and private sector facilities. Public sector buildings may be eligible for incentives through the DCEO Public Sector Incentives program, while private sector buildings are covered by programs offered by their electric and natural gas utility delivery providers.
Determine Your Incentive Eligibility
For up-to-date incentive information visit:
The Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency
DSIRE is a comprehensive source of information on state, local, utility and federal incentives and policies that promote renewable energy and energy efficiency.
The Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation
This foundation provides incentives and grants for public sector projects for a variety of programs. Programs and due dates change often and should be reviewed regularly. Current programs include lighting, commissioning for LEED projects, and solar schools.
Special Topics:
Learn more: Energy incentive background
Available Incentives:
Energy efficiency incentives for owners, operators, and sellers of commercial food service equipment. Learn more.
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