If you’re considering major energy-saving improvements to your facility, be sure to make custom rebates part of your plans. Custom rebates are available for energy-saving projects that do not qualify for the standard equipment rebates

Your Alliant Energy account manager will help you determine what new technology can improve your business and estimate your potential energy savings.

Custom Rebates guidelines and incentives

Benefits

In addition to the considerable financial advantages, you'll benefit from some or all of the following services:

An on-site assessment by your Alliant Energy-IP&L representative and/or technical consultant
Recommendations for energy improvements
Equipment installation review

Proven results

Hundreds of Midwest businesses, schools and hospitals have achieved significant long-term energy savings with improvements that earn Custom Rebates:

Success Story: Cargill
“The custom rebate program is a pretty well-defined program, you just have to do it. It’s definitely worthwhile to pursue.”
Success Story: Fareway Stores
“We needed to control costs to stay competitive in the market.”
Success Story: Mid-Iowa Cooperative
“Alliant Energy is not just another line item expense. They worked with us to help manage and grow our business.”
Success Story: Cedar Rapids Community Schools
"Rebate dollars and eventual savings will go a long way in supporting our students’ achievements and educational mission."
Success Story: Marengo Memorial Hospital
“The rebates, in combination with the benefits of long-term energy savings and improved comfort, were simply too valuable for us to ignore.”

Our Custom Rebates program could be your first step to developing a successful energy management strategy for your business. Participation is simple – just contact your account manager, agribusiness representative or the Business Resource Center at 1-866-ALLIANT (1-866-255-4268).

Tailored for Efficiency: Custom Rebates for Iowa Businesses [PDF]

Custom Rebates guidelines and incentives

Please note: Establishing a project’s baseline and calculating a rebate are not always simple tasks. In addition, not all projects qualify for an incentive, and the Custom Rebates program is subject to change without notice.

Before making a commitment to proceed with a project, pre-approval must be obtained from your Alliant Energy-IP&L representative.

Custom Rebates & Performance Contracting Guidelines Booklet [PDF]

Customer eligibility

Custom rebates are available to retail electric and/or natural gas commercial, industrial and agricultural customers of Alliant Energy-IP&L in Iowa. To qualify, energy efficiency projects must be located within the Alliant Energy-IP&L Iowa service territory.

Eligible projects

Custom rebates are generally offered for retrofit and replacement projects.

Energy-efficient equipment installed as part of a new construction project may still qualify for the Custom Rebates program. However, for new construction projects we encourage you to consider our Commercial New Construction program, which provides free energy design assistance and cash incentives to owners and developers who build energy efficiency into their projects — before construction begins.

Eligible equipment

Custom rebates are offered on a variety of high-efficiency measures including:

Compressed air systems
Energy management control systems
Heating and cooling systems
Lighting fixtures and controls
Pipe insulation
Processing equipment
Refrigeration systems
Variable frequency drives
Ventilation systems
Waste heat recovery systems
Other equipment that uses electricity or natural gas supplied by Alliant Energy-IP&L

Only new equipment and used equipment under warranty will be considered for the program.

Incentive calculation

Before installing a project, please consult with your Alliant Energy-IP&L representative who will establish baseline information and calculate your estimated incentive.

Incentives are paid after the project is completed, and in most cases, are equal to 150 percent of the annual energy dollar savings. However, for some customers, the incentive is capped at 6 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for the electrical portion of the incentive.*

The program requires a minimum two-year payback after incentive. This is referred to as “Net Payback” in the following formula:

Net payback formula

In other words, to earn an incentive, the net payback for the project must be two years or longer.

Annual energy dollar savings are equal to the estimated savings you will see on your utility bill. If additional energy-consuming equipment is installed in the facility, the savings from any given project may not be apparent on your utility bill.

* The incentive for custom rebates is capped at 6 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for customers on a demand tariff. To determine if you are on a demand tariff, please contact your Alliant Energy-IP&L representative.

Baseline guidelines

For a retrofit or replacement project, the baseline used to calculate a custom rebate is generally the energy usage for the equipment being replaced. Energy dollar savings for retrofit and replacement projects are actual savings as calculated within the following guidelines:

New equipment must meet minimum efficiency levels and be pre-approved by Alliant Energy-IP&L.
Savings resulting directly from reduced production or shutdown are not eligible.
The baseline for replacing inoperable or worn equipment is the energy consumption of the equipment in its original condition.
Projects must demonstrate permanency or sustainability of savings.
Savings when production levels change shall be calculated based on a per-unit energy consumption before and after implementation.

The baseline for a new construction custom rebate project varies by equipment type. Your Alliant Energy-IP&L representative can assist you in determining your project’s eligibility.

Ineligible projects

Equipment powered by renewable energy sources, such as wind and biomass, is not eligible for the Custom Rebates program.

Energy savings associated with fuel switching are also ineligible for the Custom Rebates program. Fuel switching is defined as changing the power source for an existing function or process, such as switching from a fired system to an electric-powered system.

Questions?

Contact your account manager, agribusiness representative or the Business Resource Center at 1-866-ALLIANT (1-866-255-4268).

Download printer-friendly brochure:

Tailored for Efficiency: Custom Rebates for Iowa Businesses [PDF]

Custom Rebates & Performance Contracting Guidelines Booklet [PDF]

Alliant Energy-IP&L does not guarantee that the installation of high-efficiency equipment will result in reduced usage or demand or in cost savings. The manner in which a customer uses and maintains energy-efficient equipment affects potential cost savings. Alliant Energy-IP&L 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-IP&L be liable for any incidental or consequential damage.

Products and services from Alliant Energy-IP&L detailed here are offered to retail customers of Alliant Energy-IP&L in Iowa. Alliant Energy-IP&L reserves the right to cancel or change programs at any time.