Square Peg, Round Hole

Xcel Energy’s Custom Efficiency program is for projects that save energy but don’t qualify for our other rebate programs. Sometimes that means equipment that’s too unique, specialized or new to offer standardized rebates. Sometimes they are process improvements like fitting more product into freezers or reducing the length of a conveyor line. And other times it’s an application of a more basic technology that requires additional analysis to figure out the energy savings.

The point is — if you have an idea for efficiency, we might be able to create a rebate for it. There are two things you should know:

1. Xcel Energy recently doubled custom rebate amounts to $400/kW saved or $5/Dth of natural gas, and we allow projects with faster paybacks to earn rebates. We now pay up to 60% of the extra costs for the more efficient option.
2. Because our engineers need to analyze the project to determine the rebate amount, we do require preapproval before purchase.

Common Custom Projects

Free Cooling – Some areas of buildings, such as research labs, computer rooms or office areas, require cooling even during cold weather. They can take advantage of free cooling technologies that use heat exchangers to transfer cool outside air to inside areas rather than running a traditional cooling system all year long.

LED Signs – Switching neon or incandescent business signs to LEDs (light emitting diodes) lowers energy use and pays for itself quickly. Variations in pricing options, however, mean that this type of lighting project needs to go through our custom program.

Anti-Sweat Heater Controls – Door heater controls for supermarket refrigerated cases offer energy savings. Door heaters used to run constantly to reduce condensation. But if humidity levels are low, the need to run them constantly is negated. These controls maintain temperatures just above the temperature at which condensation occurs.

Get Started

To learn more about Xcel Energy’s Custom Efficiency programs, call the Energy Efficiency Specialists at our Business Solutions Center at 1-800-481-4700. You can also e-mail energyefficiency@xcelenergy.com or visit xcelenergy.com for more information.