In June 1999, Vermont enacted legislation authorizing the then-Vermont Public Service Board (PSB), now the Public Utility Commission (PUC), to establish a volumetric charge on all electric customers' bills to support energy efficiency programs. As a result, in 2000 the PSB established Efficiency Vermont and a funding mechanism to support it. The funding mechanism, which varies by utility, is based on factors unique to each utility's service territory and is reviewed periodically and adjusted as necessary by the PUC. It should be noted that Burlington Electric Department is not required to fund Efficiency Vermont; it collects its funds and implements

Maine's public benefits fund for energy efficiency was authorized in 1997 by the state's electric industry restructuring legislation. Under the initial arrangement, the administration of certain efficiency programs was divided among the State Planning Office (SPO), the state's electric utilities, and the Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC). However, as a result of the 2002 legislative amendments, the authority to develop energy efficiency programs was effectively transferred from the SPO to the PUC, and the authority to implement these programs was transferred from the state's electric utilities to the PUC.

In 2009, the Act Regarding Maine's Energy Future (Public Law

Note: potential participants could be placed on a wait list due to program limits.

Austin Energy provides a variety of weatherization measures at no cost to its low-income and disabled residents through its Weatherization Assistance Program. Certain income levels must be met for residents to participate in this program. Eligible residents must fill out a program application, and Austin Energy will then send a letter stating whether they have been accepted to the program. Homes must have an appraised value of $$524,321 or less (excluding land value) and 2,500 square feet or smaller. Both renters and homeowners may apply. Funding for

The Austin Energy Multi-Family Program provides cash incentives to owners, developers, and property managers of apartments and other multi-family properties for making energy efficiency improvements. Rebates are available for qualified A/C systems, heat pumps, window treatments, insulation, ductwork, and lighting equipment. A free walk-through energy survey is required before a rebate application will be accepted. Rebate eligibility for each identified improvement will be determined by the on-site survey. Rebates for some measures may be prorated or not offered depending on the cost-effectiveness of each measure. Incentives are granted on a first-come, first-served basis. Contact Austin Energy for more information on

Austin Energy offers a special incentive for its small-to-midsize and not-for-profit business customers to increase the energy efficiency of facilities through the Small Business Rebate Program. Rebates are available for qualified HVAC equipment, ceiling/roof insulation and cool roofing, custom technologies, lighting equipment, and window treatments.

A separate rebate is also available for lighting equipment. Improvement costs of up to 80% percent may be covered by the program. For more information, visit the program website or contact the utility directly.

Austin Energy offers incentives for commercial customers to increase the energy efficiency of facilities through the Commercial Rebate Program. Rebates are available for qualified HVAC equipment, ceiling/roof insulation and reflective coating, chillers, custom technologies, energy recovery ventilators, lighting equipment, motors, variable frequency drives, and window treatments. Austin Energy has also created an incentive schedule for new construction projects, which awards incentives based upon specific project conditions. Custom measures include wire-up sizing, day lighting controls, cooling towers and others.

Interested businesses must first fill out a Customer Information Request Form. An Austin Energy Representative will then contact the business to schedule

Austin Energy offers loans for residential customers interested in energy efficiency improvement projects through its Home Energy Savings Program. The program offers a financing program through Velocity Credit Union with interest rates beginning as low as 1.99%. To qualify for a rate between 1.99% and 3.99%, the upgrades must include at least three energy efficiency measures and meet the 15-point potential energy savings criteria; upgrades that do not meet the 15-point criteria will receive the market interest rate.

Qualifying energy efficiency improvements for these loans are identical to the eligible products for the Home Energy Savings Rebate:

• Air infiltration

Austin Energy's Home Energy Savings program provides whole-home energy efficiency improvements. Customers can receive a rebate and/or a loan. An Austin Energy participating contractor is required to conduct a no-cost energy assessment of your home. Mobile or manufactured homes are not eligible for Home Performance with Energy Star improvements.

Appliances and Equipment

Austin Energy provides an $800 rebate for qualifying ENERGY STAR-certified heat pump water heaters and a $300 rebate for qualifying ENERGY STAR-certified variable-speed pool pumps.

Cooling and Heating

Austin Energy provides rebates ranging from $400 to $600 for central split AC systems and mini-split AC systems, depending

Santee Cooper provides low interest loans to residential customers to improve the efficiency of homes through the Smart Energy loan program. Details pertaining to these loans can be found  here.

Edmond Electric offers rebates to customers who install energy-efficient measures in their homes. Equipment must meet specific energy-efficient standards listed on the program website. Interested customers should contact Edmund Electric to schedule a free energy audit, which is required prior to system installation.