Energy is part of our everyday lives—something many of us take for granted. But as the demand for energy continues to increase, along with our population and number of community businesses, Avista wants to ensure we’re meeting the demand for energy as efficiently and cost effectively as possible.
Just think about it—in addition to a furnace, a hot water tank and a washer and dryer, a typical household now has computers, cell phones, television sets and more—and all use energy.
With this in mind, Avista offers incentives to encourage customers to improve the energy efficiency of their homes.
2012 UPDATE! For more information about 2012 program updates and rebate information, click here.
Click on the links below to take you further down the page.
Energy Efficiency Programs, Eligibility and Guidelines
Home Improvement Rebate Forms
Appliance Rebate Forms
Energy Efficiency Loan Program for Washington Customers
- Special reduced-rate financing is available for residential and commercial energy efficiency improvements through a grant made to Avista by the Washington State Department of Commerce, funded by ARRA.
Federal Tax Credits for Residential Energy Efficiency
- Existing homeowners may also be eligible for federal tax credits for energy efficiency improvements.
Compact Fluorescent Lighting (CFL)
Looking for an HVAC dealer?
- If you need to locate a dealer to perform service, visit our Locate a Dealer page.
Home Improvement Rebate Eligibility and Guidelines
The following rebates are available for residential energy efficiency measures. Space heating and weatherization offers apply to residential homeowners in Washington and Idaho who heat their homes primarily with Avista electricity or natural gas. Water heating offers apply to customers heating with Avista electric or natural gas. Conversion offers apply to Avista electric heat customers only. Please see description below for complete rebate requirements. All programs are subject to change and request for rebate must be submitted within 90 days of job completion. Offers apply to existing homes. For new construction and new additions please refer to the residential rebates for new construction.
High Efficiency Equipment Rebates
Natural Gas Furnace/Boiler
A $400 rebate is available for installation of a high efficiency natural gas furnace of 90% AFUE (heating efficiency) or greater, or a natural gas boiler of 90% AFUE or greater. AFUE verification requires an AHRI Certificate.
Air Source Heat Pump
A $400 rebate is available for installation of a high efficiency central heat pump of 8.5 HSPF (heating efficiency) or greater (7.7 HSPF and 13.0 SEER for manufactured homes. Please make a note on rebate form to indicate manufactured home.) HSPF verification requires an ARI certificate. Ductless Heat Pumps do not qualify for this incentive.
Ductless Heat Pump
A $200 rebate is available for installation of a ductless heat pump of at least 9.0 HSPF. Only one rebate is available regardless of the number of inside units installed. HSPF verification requires an AHRI Certificate. This equipment does not meet any conversion rebate requirements. It is not combinable with a variable speed motor rebate.
Variable Speed Motor
A $100 rebate is available to Avista electric customers for installation of a primary heating system that incorporates a variable speed motor. This rebate may be combined with a high efficiency rebate.
Water Heater
A $50 rebate is available for installation of an electric water heater (tank type) of 0.93 EF (efficiency) or greater; a natural gas water heater (tank type) of 0.60 EF or greater for 50-gallon, 0.62 EF or greater for 40-gallon. EF verification requires an AHRI certificate.
Back to top.
Conversions from Electric Straight Resistance
Replacement of Electric Straight Resistance as Primary Heat
A $750 rebate is available to Avista electric customers who replace electric straight resistance as their primary heat (i.e. electric forced air furnace or electric baseboard heat) with a central natural gas heating system or central heat pump. This rebate may be claimed in addition to the high-efficient natural gas furnace rebate. Customer usage will be reviewed and must demonstrate electric straight resistance was the previous primary heat source.
Electric to Natural Gas Water
A $200 rebate is available to Avista electric customers who replace an electric water heater with a new natural gas water heater. This rebate may be claimed in addition to the high-efficient natural gas water heater rebate.
Fireplace Damper- This rebate will be discontinued Jan 1, 2012. Rebate redemption is valid through March 30, 2012
An rebate for up to $100 is available for professional installation for wood burning fireplaces only with no other combustion devices utilizing the chimney. Avista electric or natural gas must be the main source of heat. Only applies to roof top dampers on an open wood burning fireplace.
Back to top.
Weatherization for Avista electric / natural gas heated homes
Please note: Incentives are available for the addition of new insulation that increases the R-Value by R10 or greater (both fitted/batt type and blown-in). Insulation must be installed only where such cavities separate conditioned from unconditioned areas of the residence.
Insulation must be contractor installed. Contractor must certify existing and new levels of insulation and your bill must be itemized. Square footage, R-Value ratings, and cost must be itemized on the invoice in addition to the being listed on the rebate form.
Ceiling and Attic Insulation
A 25 cents per square foot incentive is available if existing insulation level is R-19 or less.
Floor and Wall Insulation
A 50 cent per square foot incentive is available if existing insulation is R-5 or less. Any insulation installed outside the cavity, such as siding applications, does not meet incentive requirements.
Customer usage will be reviewed and must demonstrate electric straight resistance was the previous primary heat source.
HOME IMPROVEMENT REBATE Additional Conditions:
- The rebates listed are applicable to existing single and multifamily residences (up to a fourplex), including manufactured and modular homes.
- Rebates are not available for seasonal or recreational homes; they must be a primary living residence.
- Only new equipment qualifies.
- Your home must be heated with Avista electric or natural gas to qualify.
- You must heat your water with Avista electric or natural gas to qualify for the water heater rebate.
- Homeowners are responsible for complying with all applicable codes and regulations.
- Homeowners installing both a high efficient natural gas furnace and high efficient heat pump are eligible for both high efficiency incentives.
- Homeowners converting from electric heat may only receive one conversion incentive (either electric to heat pump or electric to natural gas).
- Incentives will not exceed 50% of the actual measure cost.
- Efficiencies for space and water heating equipment are according to the Air-Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI).
- Incentives are paid directly to the homeowner.
- Requests for incentives must be submitted within 90 days of completion of energy efficiency measure.
- Avista may, upon reasonable notice, access customer's Premises to verify the installation in compliance with this Agreement.
- Allow 6 to 8 weeks for processing and payment of incentive.
Back to top.
Rooftop Dampers -This rebate will be discontinued Jan 1, 2012. Rebate redemption is valid through March 30, 2012
Open wood fireplaces are an inefficient way to heat. Inside air is pulled up the chimney and out of the home. Even when not in use, fireplaces may experience heat loss due to loose dampers. Utilizing your wood fireplace sparingly and closing the chimney damper when not in use will help save energy. (Note: Fireplace inserts are more efficiently designed to avoid this effect.)
A more efficient way to close off your chimney when not in use is with a Rooftop Damper. Customers who heat primarily with Avista electric or natural gas and have a wood burning fireplace may receive up to $100 for the installation of a rooftop damper. For safety reasons, fireplaces must be wood-burning only and have no other combustion devices utilizing the chimney for exhaust. Rooftop dampers should never be used with natural gas fireplaces. Natural gas inserts, wood inserts and wood pellet stoves do not qualify, they are already designed to heat efficiently. Rooftop dampers should not be installed where installation would be against building code requirements or unsafe. Customers are responsible for complying with applicable codes. Anytime combustion devices are present in the home it is recommended to install carbon monoxide detectors (CO monitors).
Back to top.
New Construction Incentives Eligibility and Guidelines
The following incentives are available for residential energy efficiency measures. Offers apply to residential homeowners in Washington and Idaho who heat their homes primarily with Avista electricity or natural gas. Water heating offers apply to customers heating their water with Avista electric or natural gas. Please see descriptions for complete incentive requirements. All programs are subject to change and request for rebate must be submitted within 90 days of job completion. Offers apply to existing homes. For new construction and new additions, please refer to the residential incentives for new construction.
High Efficiency Equipment Rebates
Natural Gas Furnace/Boiler
A $400 rebate is available for installation of a high efficiency natural gas furnace of 90% AFUE (heating efficiency) or greater, or a natural gas boiler of 90% AFUE or greater. AFUE Verification requires AHRI Certificate.
Air Source Heat Pump
A $400 rebate is available for installation of a high efficiency heat pump of 8.5 HSPF (heating efficiency) or a 15.0 SEER (cooling efficiency) or greater (7.7 HSPF and 13.0 SEER for manufactured homes. Please be sure to check the box for manufactured on the form). HSPF verification requires an AHRI Certificate. Ductless Heat Pumps do not qualify for this rebate.
Ductless Heat Pump
A $200 rebate is available for installation of a ductless heat pump of at least 9.0 HSPF. Only one rebate is available regardless of the number of inside units installed. HSPF verification requires an AHRI Certificate.
Variable Speed Motor
A $100 rebate is available for installation of a primary heating system that incorporates a variable speed motor. This rebate may be combined with a high efficiency rebate.
Water Heater
A $50 rebate is available for installation of an electric water heater (tank type) of 0.93 EF (efficiency) or greater; a natural gas water heater (tank type) of 0.60 EF or greater for 50-gallon, 0.62 EF or greater for 40-gallon. EF verification requires an AHRI certificate.
Back to top.
NEW CONSTRUCTION REBATES Additional Conditions:
- The rebates listed are applicable to new construction single and multifamily residences (up to a fourplex), including manufactured and modular homes.
- Rebates are not available for seasonal or recreational homes; they must be a primary living residence.
- Only new equipment qualifies.
- Your home must be heated with Avista electric or natural gas to qualify.
- You must heat your water with Avista electric or natural gas to qualify for the water heater rebate.
- Homeowners are responsible for complying with all applicable codes and regulations.
- Homeowners installing a high efficient natural gas furnace and high efficient heat pump concurrently are eligible for both rebates.
- Efficiencies for space and water heating equipment are verified according to the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI).
- New Construction Residential Rebates are paid directly to the homeowner or builder.
- Rebates shall not exceed 50% of the actual measure cost.
- Request for rebates must be submitted within 90 days of completion of energy efficiency measure (or completion of home).
- Avista may, upon reasonable notice, access customer's Premises to verify the installation is in compliance with this Agreement.
- A Copy of Energy Star Homes certificate must be submitted for Energy Star Homes rebate.
- Energy Star Home Rebates are paid directly to the builder.
- Allow 6 to 8 weeks for processing and payment of rebates.
Back to top.