The Illinois electric co-ops are helping members get efficient

Through the HomE program, cooperative members who own their homes can apply for a residential energy assessment, which makes them eligible for a series of rebates for efficiency upgrades they make to their home. The home must be served with electricity by an electric cooperative, and must be the member’s primary residence.

The Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives is distributing $1.5 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) or stimulus funds to cooperative members through this program. The funds are being allocated evenly to members of 25 electric distribution cooperatives in the state.

How does the program work? Start by contacting your local electric cooperative to arrange for a home energy assessment. There is a $25 charge for this service. Then a cooperative representative will meet with you at your home and do an energy assessment. The cooperative will provide you with a written follow-up report that will make a series of recommendations on how you might improve your home’s energy efficiency – saving money and valuable energy.

Then the next step is up to you. Based upon the recommendations made by the cooperative, you could be eligible for a rebate of up to $1,500 per residence for improvements you make. Rebates are available for Energy Star-qualifying heating-cooling system upgrades, and for installation of heat pump water heaters. Rebates are also available for installation of insulation and weather stripping/sealing.