CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Appalachian Power and American Electric Power have kicked off two new energy efficiency programs for 2014 in West Virginia: Custom Commercial and Industrial (C&I) and Custom Commercial and Industrial New Construction.
These custom energy efficiency programs are designed to help business facilities implement cost-effective energy efficiency projects that don’t fit into Appalachian Power and AEP’s Commercial and Industrial Prescriptive Program. The Custom C&I Program offers customers flexibility because each project’s energy savings and available financial incentives are calculated individually. The Custom C&I New Construction Program offers incentives for projects associated with new construction or renovations that exceed state code baseline energy savings by 10 percent.
“The Custom C&I programs provide schools, hospitals, manufacturers and other non-residential energy users the opportunity to receive funding for existing and new construction projects for custom HVAC, lighting, motors, controls and data system installation projects not otherwise available,” said Tammy Stafford, Appalachian Power's energy efficiency and consumer programs coordinator. “With the addition of these programs to the other commercial and industrial incentive programs offered by Appalachian Power and AEP, non-residential customers have the opportunity to receive financial incentives for all their projects that reduce their energy use while increasing their building’s energy efficiency.”
Both the Custom C&I Program and Custom C&I New Construction Program help Appalachian Power and AEP customers in West Virginia Benefits include
- earning energy saving incentives of 7 to 10 cents per kilowatt hour to offset the costs of higher energy efficiency projects;
- improving energy efficiency and performance in new or existing facilities;
- achieving significant, long-term energy savings by reducing energy consumption.
Each qualifying customer will receive an incentive payment based on the specific results of the annual energy saving project implemented.Energy-saving incentives are paid based on estimated first year kWh savings.Appalachian Power or AEP may pay up to 80 percent of a project’s cost.Customers may be capped at receiving $150,000 in total incentives per year per account, depending on availability of funds.
Stafford said pre-approval is key. First, customers are urged to contact Appalachian Power or AEP to discuss their project and identify next steps. Program staff members are available 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays to respond to inquiries. Customers must receive preapproval for their projects before purchasing equipment or committing to buy it. Projects must have a minimum payback of at least one year, based on electricity cost savings. All technologies are subject to eligibility and verification of savings projections. Incentives are available on a first-come, first-served basis and are contingent on Appalachian Power’s review and acceptance of savings claims.
These 2014 Custom C&I programs must be installed by December 31, 2014. To learn more, call 877-428-5427 or email apcocustom@clearesult.com.
Appalachian Power has 1 million customers in Virginia, West Virginia and Tennessee (as AEP Appalachian Power). It is a unit of American Electric Power, one of the largest electric utilities in the United States, which delivers electricity to more than 5 million customers in 11 states. AEP ranks among the nation’s largest generators of electricity, owning nearly 38,000 megawatts of generating capacity in the U.S. AEP also owns the nation’s largest electricity transmission system, a nearly 39,000-mile network that includes more 765 kilovolt extra-high voltage transmission lines than all other U.S. transmission systems combined.