Iowa Farm Incentives

You can invest in high-efficiency farm equipment and earn hundreds in cash back from Alliant Energy. Incentives available in 2010 for Iowa farms include:Man operates laptop computer on top of hay bale in farm setting

To learn more about how your farm can benefit from new high-efficiency technology, contact your Ag Services account manager today!

Download the 2010 Iowa Agriculture Cash-Back Rewards booklet.

 

Farm Energy Audit

FarmAlliant Energy-IPL's Farm Energy Audit is a FREE on-farm assessment that:

  • Pinpoints energy waste on grain & livestock operations
  • Identifies energy-efficient technologies that will reduce energy usage
  • Makes energy-efficient equipment recommendations
  • Informs you of available agricultural reward programs

After your assessment is complete, you can earn cash back when you invest in recommended high-efficiency equipment.

To qualify, farmers must be retail electric customers of Alliant Energy-IPL in Iowa or Minnesota. Farm operations of all types and sizes are eligible. Building must be builty before January 1, 2000.

To learn more about a Farm Energy Audit, contact your Ag Services Representative or call our Business Resource Center toll-free at 1-866-ALLIANT (1-866-255-4268) today!

Download the Farm Energy Audit brochure [PDF]

  

Appliances

When buying an appliance, remember that it has two price tags: what you pay to take it home and what you pay for the energy and water it uses. ENERGY STAR qualified appliances incorporate advanced technology that use 10-50 percent less energy and water than standard models.

Clothes WasherThrough superior design and system features, ENERGY STAR qualified clothes washers clean clothes using 50 percent less energy than standard washers. Purchase an ENERGY STAR rated clothes washer and get cash back of $100.

Today's ENERGY STAR rated refrigerators use 40 percent less energy than 2001 models, and 50 percent less energy than those made before 1993. Replace an old refrigerator with a qualifying model (10 cubic ft. or larger) and get a $50 reward. 

Replace a dishwasher with an ENERGY STAR qualified model and get $20 cash back.

A $25 reward is offered for the purchase an ENERGY STAR rated freezer or room air conditioner.

Note that appliances must be residential sized; industrial sized equipment does not qualify.

Download the 2010 Iowa Appliance claim form [PDF] - (for washers, freezers, refrigerators and dishwashers)

Download the 2010 Iowa Room Air Conditioner claim form [PDF]

 

Automatic Milker Takeoffs

Milking equipmentYou can save hundreds of dollars per year by using automatic milker takeoffs.

Other advantages include reduced labor, a more consistent indication of the end of milking, less drudgery and less running from cow to cow—making the parlor a more pleasant place to work.

With the energy savings and a $5 per cow incentive, the cost of the equipment is usually paid for in three years or less.

Download the 2010 Iowa Dairy Equipment claim form [PDF]

Learn more about high-efficiency milking equipment

Calculate your potential energy savings

 

Circulating Fans

FanCirculating fans are an essential part of an agricultural operation and play an important role in livestock health and production.

Since circulating fans consume a significant amount of energy, it is important to install energy-efficient equipment to save energy and money.

Alliant Energy offers a $25 to $75 reward for every qualifying circulating fan purchase.

Qualifications include:

  • Fan-motor combinations must have been tested by the Air Movement and Control Association (AMCA) or the Bioenvironmental and Structural Systems lab at the University of Illinois. Call Alliant Energy-IPL at 1-866-ALLIANT for qualifying models.
  • Fan motors must be wired for 208- or 240-volt service.

Download the 2010 Iowa Circulating Fans claim form [PDF]

 

Heat Reclaimers

Heat reclaimersThe average dairy farmer spends about $70 a month to heat water for cleaning milk pipelines and other dairy equipment. By installing a milkhouse heat reclaimer, you can save 60 percent to 80 percent—that's $45 to $55 every month.

A milkhouse heat reclaimer removes waste heat from your milk cooling compressor and pipes it into the water-heating system. This preheated water reduces demand on your hot water heater, saving you money.

And if you're an Alliant Energy-IPL retail electric customer and use electricity to heat the water in your milkhouse, you're also eligible for a cash reward of $5 per cow.

Download the 2010 Iowa Dairy Equipment claim form [PDF]

Learn more about high-efficiency heat reclaimers

Calculate your potential energy savings

 

High-Efficiency Lighting and Ceiling Fans

Hogs in well lit buildingEnergy-efficient fluorescent, high-pressure sodium or metal halide lighting fixtures and lighting controls for agriculture applications are eligible for incentives.

Rewards range from $4.50 to $60 depending on the light fixture and are limited to 50 percent of total installed equipment cost.

Get a $20 reward for each ceiling fan installed.

Qualifications include:

  • Fixtures or controls must be installed on agricultural property owned by Iowa or Minnesota retail electric customers of Alliant Energy-IPL.
  • Agricultural fixtures and controls must meet state electric code and be dustproof, waterproof and corrosion resistant.
  • Fixtures must be UL listed.
  • Fixtures must be permanently wired (bulbs may be removable).

2010 Iowa Indoor Lighting and Ceiling Fans [PDF]

Learn more about energy-smart lighting for your farm

Efficient and Safe: What you should know about CFLs and mercury

 

High-Efficiency Ventilation Systems

MFarm equipmentounted ventilation systems equipped with high-efficiency fan and motor combinations can keep your livestock comfortable and save you up to 30 percent a year on operating costs.

Plus, when you install qualifying fan-motor combinations, you can earn cash incentives ranging from $45 to $150. In addition, if you install a thermostat or environmental controller to control the fan, you’ll also receive a $20 incentive per fan controlled.

Fan-motor combinations must also meet these additional specifications:

  • Tested by the Bioenvironmental and Structural Systems lab at the University of Illinois. Call Alliant Energy-IPL at 1-866-ALLIANT for qualifying models.
  • Wired for 208-volt or 240-volt service.

Download the 2010 Iowa Ventilation Systems claim form [PDF]

Calculate your potential energy savings

Learn more about high-efficiency ventilation systems

 

High-Volume, Low-Speed Fans

High-volume, low-speed (HVLS) fans are an energy-efficient alternative to high-speed box fans, which are traditionally used for ventilating livestock barns.  These quiet, inexpensive-to-operate fans keep air moving over livestock regardless of their position in the barn while keeping flying insects and birds away.

Each HVLS fan installed qualifies you for a $750 cash reward.

Download the 2010 Iowa High Volume Low Speed Fan claim form [PDF]

 

Livestock Waterers

Lifestock watererNew energy efficient livestock waterers will ensure a fresh supply of water—at big savings to you! You can save up to $80 per year with an energy-efficient model compared to a standard model.

Plus, you'll get a cash incentive of $40 for each new unit you install. With the energy savings and incentives, the higher cost of an energy-efficient waterer is usually paid for within three years.

All livestock waterers must have both:

  • Two inches or more of insulation completely surrounding the inside of the waterer
  • Electric heating element (non-electric waterers do not qualify)

Adjustable thermostats are required only on waterers with a heating element greater than 250 watts.

Download the 2010 Iowa Livestock Waterers claim form [PDF]

 

Low-Pressure Irrigation Systems

Irrigation systemHigh-pressure irrigation systems can use a lot of energy. Converting to low-pressure irrigation will take some of the pressure off your energy bills.

Low-pressure irrigation systems deliver all the water you need for your crops, when and where you need it, at significant savings.

Installing a qualified system will save 10 percent to 35 percent on energy costs and earn you a one-time cash incentive of $20 for each acre of land you irrigate if you are an Alliant Energy-IPL retail electric customer.

The low-pressure system must operate on 50 percent or less of the pressure of a standard irrigation system.

Download the 2010 Iowa Irrigation Systems claim form [PDF]

Learn more about the benefits of low-pressure irrigation

Calculate your potential energy savings

 

Milk Precoolers

Milk precoolerHow much do you spend to cool your milk? On average, a dairy farmer spends about $75 a month on milk cooling. By installing a milk precooler, you can save 20 percent to 30 percent—that's $15 to $20 every month.

A precooler will cool milk with well water before it reaches the bulk tank to provide quick cooling and ensure the quality of the milk you produce. This precooled milk reduces the demand on your bulk tank compressor—and that saves you money.

If you are an Alliant Energy-IPL retail electric customer, you'll also get a cash incentive of $3.40 per cow for saving energy.

Download the 2010 Iowa Dairy Equipment claim form [PDF]

Learn more about high-efficiency milking equipment

Calculate your potential energy savings

 

Premium-Efficiency Motors and Variable Frequency Drives

Farm sceneNEMA Premium®-Efficiency Motors

Electricity accounts for up to 97 percent of a motor's lifetime cost. As a result, purchasing a NEMA Premium-Efficiency motor for your farming operation makes sense in almost every situation.-Efficiency Motors

With rewards up to $1000 per qualifying unit, your investment in a premium-efficiency motor is even more cost-effective. It's wise to take action before motor failure strikes

Variable Frequency Drives

Does your agribusiness use motors for extended hours? Do the motors experience a high rate of load variability (such as centrifugal pumps and fans)? Are your motors performing mechanical throttling, as when used with valves, dampers, etc.?

If you answered yes to these questions, consider installing variable frequency drives. They match the speed of the motor-driven equipment to the process, simultaneously reducing operating costs and improving overall efficiency.

In order to qualify for a reward, the premium-efficiency motor(s) must meet specific efficiency guidelines. See the "NEMA Premium®-Efficiency Motors” chart for a list of eligible products.

The reward for variable frequency drives is $30 per horse power of the motor being used, and must be > 5hp and < 200hp to qualify.

Download the 2010 Iowa Premium-Efficiency Motors and Variable Frequency Drives claim form [PDF]

 

Scroll Compressors

By replacing an old, inefficient compressor with a new energy-efficient scroll compressor, you could save up to 30 percent on your milk cooling bill. Scroll compressors are quieter and more reliable than traditional compressors and they were "in", not out, and actually improve with time for longer wear.

Replace a reciprocating compressor with a scroll compressor and get a $250 reward.

Download the 2010 Iowa Dairy Equipment claim form [PDF]

 

Variable Speed Drives for Dairy Vacuum Pumps

Farm equipmentYou can save hundreds of dollars per year by using a variable speed drive controller on your milking vacuum pump.

A variable speed drive for vacuum pumps constantly monitors the air flow needed to maintain a stable vacuum and adjusts the motor speed. By slowing down or speeding up the motor, the pump only runs as fast as necessary, resulting in substantial energy and cost savings.

In fact, with the energy savings, the cost is usually paid for within three years or less. And Alliant Energy-IPL will pay you a cash incentive of $5 per cow when you purchase and install a qualifying variable speed pump.

In order to qualify for a reward, the vacuum pump must be controlled by a UL-listed device which meets applicable IEEE standards for harmonic control.

Download the 2010 Iowa Dairy Equipment claim form [PDF]

Calculate your potential energy savings

 

Water Heaters

If your water heater is failing, or is 15 years or older, it makes sense to invest in a new energy-efficient one. You'll enjoy greater hot water comfort, and the upgrade will pay for itself sooner than you think.

A $50 reward is available for electric tank-type water heaters 40 gallons or greater with a minimum energy factor of 0.93.

ENERGY STAR qualified electric heat pump water heaters are eligibile for $100 reward.

Download the 2010 Iowa Agricultural Electric Water Heater claim form [PDF]

  

Alliant Energy-IPL does not guarantee that the installation of high-efficiency equipment will result in reduced usage or demand or in cost savings. Alliant Energy-IPL makes no warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to any equipment purchased and/or installed, including, but not limited to, any warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. In no event shall Alliant Energy-IPL be liable for any incidental or consequential damage.

Products and services from Alliant Energy-IPL detailed here are offered to customers of Alliant Energy-Interstate Power and Light Co.