Benefits:
Insulation is designed to resist heat flow. When it’s cold outside, insulation keeps warm air
inside the house. In the summer, it helps keep the heat out and the cool air in. The most common types of insulation are fiberglass (batts and blown), cellulose, rigid foam, rock wool, and spray foam.
Reasons to install or upgrade the insulation in your home:
• Heating and cooling are the biggest energy users in your home
• Insulation keeps your home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer
• The higher the R-Value, the better the thermal performance of the insulation
Incentive amount:
$0.50 per square foot for walls, floors, or attics not to exceed the lesser of the total project cost up to $650 per home.
CLICK HERE to download a 2009 incentive form
Qualifications:
1. Home must have either a) an electric heating system serving 80 percent of the floor area or
b) a central air conditioner or heat pump (ducted unitary cooling equipment) serving 80%
of the floor area.
2. Newly constructed homes may not qualify because they are already meeting insulation requirements in current building code. Remodeling projects may not qualify if the upgrade
requires a building permit. Unheated spaces, such as a garage, do not qualify for incentives.
3. Pre-existing insulation levels must be nonexistent or less than the following for each
insulation area.
Attics and floors: R-18 or less
Walls: R-10 or less
To ensure your home is below the maximum insulation depth requirements, please use the
pre-existing insulation depth calculator. Prior to your contractor recording measurements,
take a peek in your attic and do it yourself!
CLICK HERE for an insulation depth calculator.
5. Insulation may be installed by the customer or contractor.
NOTE: Greater energy- efficiency can be gained by insulating to higher R-values.
Recommended Levels for your geographic area are: Walls to R-21, Floors to R-30,
and Attics to R-49.
6. Insulation must be installed and proof of payment (copy of canceled check, credit or
debit card or finance agreement) is required to process incentive application.
7. Work may be inspected. To ensure that your insulation is installed correctly and to gain
the most benefit from energy efficiency, we recommend using a participating contractor.
CLICK HERE for a list of participating retailers in your area
CLICK HERE for a list of program qualified contractors
Consumer tips for hiring a contractor
· Regardless of any “special deal” offered up by a contractor to work on your home, ask for
three quotes from three different contractors before proceeding with the work. This process
will serve you well in selecting a reputable contractor.
· When securing your three quotes, be sure to give all contractors exactly the same description
of the work you want, including instructions regarding the specifications required by your
utility to qualify for any utility incentives. Have it written into your contract.
· Compare the specifications provided by each contractor against the utility programs and
among the contractors providing the quotes. If they vary, ask for an explanation.
· Ask your contractors for references, make a few calls – it’s always recommended. Ask for all
contractors to provide proof of their contractor’s license and proof of insurance. Do a licensee
check and verification by accessing the Idaho Bureau of Occupational Licenses, Web site:
https://secure.ibol.idaho.gov/eIBOLPublic/LPRBrowser.aspx. You will be able to
search by license type, license number, issue date, business name, contractor name, city or
zip code.(Note: some contractors are licensed under the business name, rather than their
individual name.)
· Be sure you get a written contract that covers all your project requirements including types
of materials or equipment specifications, costs, clean-up and warranties. Don’t be shy about modifying a contractor’s standard agreement to make sure all expectations are clear and called out in the contract. If you don’t understand the agreement, don’t sign it!
· Obtain a signed lien release prior to payment. Ask all contractors, subcontractors and suppliers
working on your project to sign lien releases prior to paying them for completed services.
· You're in charge, it's your home and money, so make sure you are getting what you
are contracting for.
For more information on hiring a contractor, go to: https://secure.ibol.idaho.gov/IBOL/CONT/Documents/CON_CONSUMERS_GUIDE.pdf
CLICK HERE for a list of program qualified contractors
Qualified customers:
Residential electric customers residing in the state of Idaho who purchase their electricity from Rocky Mountain Power on rate schedules* 1 or 36 qualify. Landlords who own rental properties served by the company in the state of Idaho where the tenant is billed on rate schedules* 1 or 36 also qualify for this program.
*Find your rate schedule by looking under Detailed Account Activity on your bill. Next to Electric Service you will find Residential Service – Schedule X below your address.
See an example.
How to receive your incentive:
Please follow the steps outlined below to ensure timely payment of your incentive. Please note that filling out forms incorrectly/incompletely may result in processing delays or denial.
1. Review the qualifications and specifications for the incentive.
2. Review the incentive form.
3. Purchase and install the qualified appliance or have the installation done by a contractor.
4. Pay special attention to attachments required for processing the incentive (i.e. proof of payment, contractor invoice, NFRC stickers, etc).
5. Complete the incentive form; attach proof of payment and any other necessary documentation, and mail to the address provided. All documents will need to be submitted within 90 days of the purchase and installation of insulation and/o windows. (The proof of payment is the most common missing information and is the reason for most incentive delays.)
6. When your incentive form is received and verified as complete, you will be mailed within have a check issued within 45 days of receipt of a complete and approved incentive application.