Energy-efficient upgrades to home heating, cooling and water devices are designed to save you money. In fact, utility companies may offer rebates to customers who make the upgrades. Still, property owner Jon Marinas says local utilities have made the rebate application a confusing process.
Marinas owns a condo in Chicago’s West Loop. He recently installed energy-efficient LED lighting, a smart thermostat and a tankless water heater to lower his energy usage. Marinas said he’s already seeing lower monthly utility bills.
“It’s important that we try to reduce our carbon footprint,” Marinas said.
Marinas applied for $250 worth of rebates from the natural gas and electric companies for installing the smart thermostat and tankless water heater.
“Filled them all out according to their guidelines and submitted them,” Marinas said.
However, both of his applications were rejected. Marinas said he was told it was due to paperwork errors.
“They’re not making it easy for you to be able to collect,” Marinas said.
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Marinas said he filed again and continued wait. But he said that did not work either.
NBC 5 Responds contacted both utilities.
A spokesperson for ComEd said the company rejected the $100 smart thermostat rebate because Marinas purchased the device a week before the rebate program started.
Marinas said he installed the device within the rebate program’s time frame. He said he also put the date of purchase in the application.
“If it was not eligible for the online application, I should have been denied before I even submitted,” Marinas said.
People’s Gas told NBC 5 Responds it discovered a clerical error was made on its end during the processing of Marinas’ rebate application. It has since issued a $150 rebate check to Marinas.
“We are working hard to enhance our customer service and appreciate all opportunities to improve our processes to better serve our customers,” wrote People’s Gas spokesperson Scott Alwin.
Marinas said he hopes utilities “step up to the plate” to help their customers regarding rebate applications.
“Look at their systems, make sure that they’re doing the right thing and make sure that they’re taking care of their clients,” Marinas said.
The Citizens Utility Board said it is vital that energy efficiency rebate programs run smoothly, because they are a key tool to help Illinois families keep their costs down.
“Efficiency lowers demand, which reduces energy prices for all customers, and efficiency is also good for the utilities because it helps reduce stress on the grid and service outages,” said CUB executive director David Kolata.
A ComEd spokesperson said the electric utility has issued $1.7 million dollars in rebates for smart thermostats since October.
Peoples Gas said it has issued 17,128 rebates totaling $7,824,477 since June 2011, when its Home Energy Rebate Program began. Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas customers are also eligible for free energy-saving products and a free home energy assessment. You can learn more about the rebates by clicking on the following links:
