Direct HVAC Questions to:
contact: Norman Muraya, P.E.
phone: (512) 482-5324
e-mail: HVAC

Direct Permit Questions to:
contact: City of Austin - Development Review Department
phone: (512) 974-2875
e-mail: Permits

Direct Commercial Rebate Questions to:
contact: Joe Pena
phone: (512) 482-5346
e-mail: Commercial Rebate Program

HVAC Rebates

Air conditioning costs in typical commercial buildings account for up to 40% of the building's electrical use. Old equipment is maintenance intensive, potentially unreliable, and less efficient than high efficiency equipment.

Chillers
Chillers typically consume more electricity than any other single-energy consuming device in a commercial building. Chillers pump chilled water through air handlers where the coolness of the water is transferred to the indoor air. Old, inefficient, chillers waste electricity. Replacing one with a high efficiency model can lead to dramatic energy savings.

Chillers Rebate Requirements
	All installations must comply with the City of Austin Ozone Depleting Chemicals Ordinance.
	The removed a/c must not be re-used within the City of Austin’s utility system.
	The method of disposal must be stated on the rebate application. Rebates are based on the actual air conditioning load, not the installed chiller capacity. To establish the nominal tonnage, the load is rounded to the nearest 1/2 ton (6,000 BTUH).
	For new construction installations, use the Austin Energy Code minimum EER requirements as listed on this application.
	The rebate application must be submitted before new equipment is installed. At the time of the final inspection, the customer must provide 1) an invoice, 2) a minimum one year manufacturer’s product warranty statement and 3) manufacturer's rating information based upon the appropriate ARI Standard.
	The rebate payment for each energy project cannot exceed 50% of the total job cost, which includes equipment, installation, and tax less any salvage value.
	Austin Energy guidelines and rebate levels are subject to change without notice.

Direct Expansion Air Conditioning
Direct expansion air conditioning equipment is the most common method of cooling a building.

This equipment consists mainly of split systems, rooftop package units, and heat pumps. This equipment uses air-cooled condensers and range in size from 1 to 100 tons of air conditioning capacity.

Installing higher EER (energy efficiency ratio) equipment can lower utility costs and increase building comfort.

Direct Expansion Air Conditioning Rebate Requirements
	Rebates are based on the nominal tonnage of the new or replacement air conditioning system. To establish the nominal tonnage, the rated capacity is rounded to the nearest 1/2 ton (6,000 BTUH).
	Submit a separate application for each unique a/c unit. Multiple a/c units with the same model number and performance specification can be included on a single application. Include an itemized sheet showing the individual unit’s serial numbers
	The rebate application must be submitted and received before new equipment is installed. At the time of the final inspection, customer must provide an invoice and manufacturer's rating information based upon ARI Standards, and warranty information.
	All installations must comply with the City of Austin Ozone Depleting Chemicals Ordinance.
	For split system installations, both the condensing unit and evaporator coil must be replaced.
	All installations require permits as required by the City of Austin’s Development Review Department (512) 974-2875. All work must be performed in accordance with all applicable national, state, local, and manufacturers' codes and standards.
	Backup or redundant systems are not eligible for rebates.

Thermal Energy Storage
Thermal energy storage is a load-shifting technique for cooling larger buildings that use chilled water as the primary mode of cooling. This type of system can reduce monthly electrical expenses and increase the reliability of the chiller plant.

Thermal Energy Storage Rebate Requirements
	Austin Energy will only consider TES installations in conjunction with electrically driven cooling equipment.
	Contact Norman Muraya, P.E. at (512) 482-5323 for additional details.