Programs & Rebates

Variable Frequency/Speed Drives

PROMOTIONAL REBATE

Limited $60/HP promotional rebate on projects pre-approved by December 20, 2024. The promotion runs until December 20, 2024.

Most motors run at nearly constant speed, designed to operate most efficiently at their horsepower (hp) rating. However, sometimes the work motors need to perform is less than the maximum design speed. You can save energy by only using the power you need from a motor. This speed reduction can be accomplished with either a variable frequency drive (VFD) or a variable speed drive (VSD).

VFDs and VSDs vary the frequency of the alternating current (AC) power. The motor speed varies in proportion to the drive-operated frequency.

Drives also provide soft starting, allowing a motor to start slowly and then speed up, reducing mechanical stress on the motor and any equipment driven by the motor. Drives can also reduce the voltage sag that can occur when a large motor starts quickly.

Member businesses can improve their efficiencies for years by adding a VFD to any motor. Connexus offers motors and drives rebates for qualifying members.

Apply for a Fractional HP Motor Rebate

Applications and required documentation must be submitted to Connexus by December 13, 2024. Download and complete an application form.

Apply for a Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) Rebate

Applications and required documentation must be submitted to Connexus by December 13, 2024. Download and complete an application form.

Heating, Cooling, and Ventilation Rebates

Did you know that cooling and ventilation use about 20 percent of the energy in buildings nationwide? Reduce energy bills by installing high-efficiency cooling and heating equipment. Whether you’re installing cooling in a new facility, replacing a dated or unreliable system, or upgrading to a higher efficiency model, you’ll benefit from:

• Immediate savings on the new equipment through an energy rebate
• Lower maintenance costs
• Energy savings year after year
• Up-to-date, reliable, efficient equipment
• More comfortable working conditions

Instead of spending money on energy bills and repairs, you can invest those savings into your business. Connexus offers rebates for any new or replacement installation when purchased equipment meets or exceeds minimum qualifying efficiency requirements.

Apply for Available HVAC Rebates

Applications and required documentation must be submitted to Connexus Energy by December 13, 2024. Download and complete an application form:

• Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Rebate
• Heat Pump Rebate

Rebates for commercial food service equipment

Restaurants, hotels, hospitals, and any other building with a cafeteria and commercial food service equipment consume about five to seven times more energy per square foot than other commercial buildings such as office buildings and retail stores.

Replacing or purchasing additional commercial food service equipment can be a significant expense. However, buying and installing ENERGY STAR® qualified equipment could potentially trim hundreds of dollars from your annual utility bills.

Apply for a Commercial Kitchen Rebate

The Commercial Kitchen rebate program involves the installation of high-efficiency ENERGY STAR qualified electric hot food holding cabinets (HFHC), ovens, cooktops, griddles, fryers, and steamers.

Equipment eligible for the Commercial Kitchen rebate program includes:
Convection Ovens

• Efficient range with convection oven
• Flash bake oven
• Convection/microwave oven
• Induction cooktop
• Electric griddle

Holding Cabinets

• Full size
• Three-quarter size
• One-half size

Hot Food Electric Fryers

• Standard open deep
• Large vat open deep

Electric Steamers

• Three- and four-pan steamers
• Five- and six-pan steamers

Applications and required documentation must be submitted to Connexus by December 15, 2025. Download and complete an application form.

Rebates for Electric Forklifts

Today’s powerful, responsive electric forklifts have revolutionized goods movement and manufacturing around the world. Advancements in technology, such as high voltages, AC-drive systems, and high-frequency charging, have boosted electric forklift performance and utility.

Electric forklifts offer lower operating and maintenance costs over diesel or propane and provide improved health and safety conditions, particularly with indoor use applications. Converting forklift operations to electric significantly reduces fuel and operating costs.

Make the switch and save

The Electric Forklift program provides a rebate for commercial members who switch to electric from either a diesel or propane-powered forklift. New facilities using electric forklifts or businesses adding electric forklifts to their existing fleet qualify for a reduced value incentive.

Apply for an Electric Forklift Rebate

Applications and required documentation must be submitted to Connexus by December 15, 2025. Download and complete an application form.   

Customized incentives for your business

Many commercial energy-efficiency upgrades are unique to a specific business or industry. Connexus offers an incentive program that can be tailored to the needs of commercial, industrial, and agricultural members.

When the specifications of a project don’t correspond with a defined rebate program, we can evaluate the project and provide an incentive based on the installation of the specific equipment. The new equipment must exceed the energy efficiency of existing or standard equipment. Evaluation of proposed projects include:

• Energy efficiency of existing or standard equipment (kWh and kW)
• Energy efficiency of proposed new equipment (kWh and kW)
• Total project cost
• Benefit cost ratio (BCR)>2
• Simple payback ratio (SPB)>1

Examples of qualifying custom incentive projects include:

• Lighting projects or technology not defined in other rebates
• Variable Air Volume systems installed on motors
• Refrigeration systems not defined in other rebates
• White roof technology
• Compressed air compressors >100HP
• Energy management systems
• Process improvements

Pre-approval of the rebate application is required. Incentives are offered on a first-come, first-served basis, and are subject to project and member eligibility as well as the availability of funds.

Learn more about the Custom Rebate Program

Contact your business account representative to learn more about the Connexus custom rebate program.

Compressed air can be a significant energy user in a facility affecting operating costs, productivity, and profitability, especially when leaks contribute to energy waste. Compressed air rebates can help identify and implement energy efficiency measures to reduce operating costs, improve productivity, enhance system efficiency, and increase profitability.

Rebates are available for members who complete an evaluation on compressed air systems.

Apply for a Compressed Air Rebate

Applications and required documentation must be submitted to Connexus by December 15, 2025. Download and complete an application form.

Rebates for High-Efficiency Qualified Farm Equipment

Save money and energy with rebates for installation of high-efficiency qualified farm and agricultural equipment.

Agricultural Audit

Agricultural energy efficiency audits can help identify opportunities for reducing energy costs. Contact your business account representative to see if an audit would qualify for a Connexus rebate.

Engine Block Heater Timer

Farms and other business operators often use engine block heaters to heat the internal combustion chamber areas of internal combustion engines to suitable temperatures for timely starting. Unfortunately, this business necessity can be costly, as many operators run their engine heaters all night long. A plug-in engine block heater timer controls the operation for use during off-peak hours and prevents engine heaters from using more energy than necessary without sacrificing convenience or reliability.

Hog Farrowing Heated Mats

New construction barns using electric hog farrowing heated mats or existing barns replacing heat lamps with heating mats equipped with automated climate controls are eligible when reducing electric usage. Using heat mats significantly reduces heat lost to ambient air by providing direct heat transfer to the piglets.

Irrigation Variable Frequency Drive (VFD)

Pivot field irrigators installed with a variable frequency drive (VFD) can provide varying motor horsepower based on variable well water tables: Higher water tables require less horsepower to pump water for irrigation. VFDs ramp the motor up and down to optimize horsepower requirements for pumping water, saving energy and money. Soft start applications do not qualify for a rebate. Additional non-energy saving benefits include soft start motors to prevent start-up voltage spikes and reduce wear and tear on the motor.

Livestock Waterer

Electrically heated waterers are commonly used to provide clean water for livestock during winter months when temperatures may drop below freezing. Energy efficient waterers have at least two inches of insulation, resulting in the use of smaller heating elements (less than 250 watts). Energy-free waterers have at least two inches of insulation and no heating element as they use ground source water to prevent freezing.

LED Lighting

Extended daylighting hours using LED lighting increases milk and livestock output. Manipulating lighting availability to increase production has been used for decades and research consistently reveals favorable results. High efficiency lighting makes this strategy operationally affordable while positively impacting productivity. See our Lighting Rebate above for more information on how to apply.

Ventilation Fans

Dairy and livestock farms utilize ventilation fans to control air quality and comfort. Air quality control improves oxygen levels, moisture, odors, and temperature, while eliminating airborne contaminants and disease. Automated ventilation controls optimize fan speeds and run time based on weather conditions to reduce operating costs.

Custom Projects

Custom projects require pre-approval and will follow the custom project rules.

Apply for an Agricultural Rebate

Applications and required documentation must be submitted to Connexus by December 15, 2025. Download and complete an application form.

Commercial New Construction Whole Building Efficiency Study

Earn rebates on your new building when you conduct a third-party whole building energy efficiency study. Connexus will provide a custom rebate based on energy savings measures installed and documented in the whole building efficiency report.

A whole building energy efficiency study is a comprehensive assessment of a commercial building’s energy consumption and the potential for energy savings. Benefits include:

• Cost savings: The study can identify cost-effective energy efficiency measures that can reduce energy consumption and lower operating costs.
• Improved building operations and maintenance: The study can identify areas where building operations and maintenance can be improved, which can lead to better equipment performance and reduced downtime.
• Certifications: A study can help building owners reach certifications such as ENERGY STAR®, LEED, or green buildings.
• Improved comfort and productivity: Energy efficiency measures can enhance indoor environmental quality, resulting in improved comfort and productivity for building occupants.
• Environmental benefits: Reduced energy consumption can lead to a lower carbon footprint, contributing to a more sustainable future.

Learn more about Commercial New Construction Rebates

Contact your business account representative to learn more.

Level 2 EV Charger Rebates

Connexus offers a rebate program for commercial members who install Level 2 electric vehicle (EV) chargers at their place of business.

A Level 2 electric vehicle charging station can be a great asset to your commercial business in several ways:

• Low-cost employee benefit
• Tenant convenience
• Visibility of your commitment to a cleaner transportation future

Average usage and cost

Currently, the expected usage from a Level 2 EV charging station is between 200 and 400 kWh per month. This amounts to $24 to $48 at $0.12 per kWh. As EV adoption continues to increase in the coming years, these figures are expected to rise.

As a business owner, it is important to consider that EV charging expenses may drive more customers to your business, potentially recovering the cost of offering this amenity.

Connexus offers rebates to help offset project expenses to business members who install Level 2 EV chargers.

Apply for a Level 2 Charger Rebate

Qualify for a Level 2 EV Charger Rebate between $500 and $1,000 depending on the charging station installed.

Applications and required documentation must be submitted to Connexus by December 15, 2025. Download and complete an application for a single port EV charger or a dual port EV charger.