Rebates and Energy Efficiency
Franklin Rural Electric Cooperative has a long history of supporting energy efficiency; in fact, we have been offering cost-effective energy-efficiency programs to our member-owners since the late 1980s. These programs include numerous rebates and incentives for a wide variety of energy-efficient products and services for your home, farm or business.
Each of our energy-efficiency programs were independently assessed to verify they provide the greatest cost-benefit to all of our member-owners. Franklin REC also offers programs designed to reduce electric demand, such as our load management program and our ongoing commitment to upgrade our facilities with more efficient transformers and other distribution equipment.
Franklin REC invests in energy-efficiency programs to benefit the member-owners we serve.
Please contact Chad Foster, member service representative, at 641-456-2557 for more information about rebates and energy efficiency.
All units must be new, ENERGY STAR rated, and installed at member's location. Subject to inspection by Franklin REC. Maximum of $250 per residential/farm account per year for all appliance incentives.
Two units maximum per single-family dwelling or outbuilding. One rebate maximum per family in multi-family dwelling.
For all new resistance electric heat installed, including backup added to heat pumps. Must be 240-volt or hardwired/mounted heater.
- 50% of a Level-2 charger equipment price (not installation) up to $500 per charger.
- Retroactive.
- Limited to three chargers per household.
- Charger must be hardwired and installation must meet local codes.
- Member required to provide charger serial number and specifications; sign an agreement for future possible load control; and provide make, model, VIN, license and purchase date information about the vehicle(s).
- Air source heat pump: Two units maximum per single-family dwelling or outbuilding. One rebate maximum per family in multi-family dwelling. Additional rebate for those installing an air source heat pump who also have automatic gas backup and sign a load control agreement allowing us to control the heat pump during system-wide peak energy demand.
- Geothermal heat pump: Must be ENERGY STAR rated or a minimum of EER 14 and COP 3.3. 20-ton maximum per structure without prior approval. $50/unit bonus if installed with a desuperheater.
New or existing home qualifies.
Existing homes (not new) only. All insulation must increase ceiling to R38, wall to R19, or foundation to R10; radiant barriers not eligible.
Insulation rebate details:
- 40% of materials cost up to $600 max/year for homes with metered electric heat (with or without central air conditioning)
- 20% of materials cost up to $300 max/year for homes with non-electric heat and central air conditioning
- No incentive available for homes with non-electric heat and no central air conditioning
Weatherization and duct insulation rebate details:
- 40% of materials cost up to $200 max/year for homes with metered electric heat (with or without central air conditioning)
- 20% of materials cost up to $100 max/year for homes with non-electric heat and central air conditioning
- No incentive available for homes with non-electric heat and no central air conditioning
Retrofit only (no new structures).
- ENERGY STAR LED bulbs: 50% of cost, up to $2/bulb
- LED fixtures: 50% of cost, up to $6/fixture
- 10-39 watt LED security light: 50% of cost, up to $10/fixture
- 40+ watt LED security light: 50% of cost, up to $30/fixture
- LED Holiday Lights: 50% of cost up to $2/string (Purchases made between Nov. 1 and Jan. 31 only)
From appliances to heating and cooling to insulation and weatherization -- small changes can mean big energy savings. Franklin REC offers members a variety of incentives for new equipment purchases and energy-efficiency upgrades. Download a form and return to us for your rebate.
For answers to any questions, please contact us ahead of purchasing or installing equipment.
Call Franklin REC at 641-456-2557 or contact us at franklinrec@franklinrec.coop.
Note: This page includes downloadable files that are in Adobe PDF format and require Adobe Acrobat Reader. You can download Acrobat Reader free of charge from Adobe's website. This is a safe, fast, and easy installation. If you prefer to receive printed copies of these forms from us, please contact our office at 641-456-2557 or send us an email at franklinrec@franklinrec.coop.
Why We Support Energy Efficiency
Iowa’s locally owned electric cooperatives have a long history of supporting energy efficiency; in fact, we’ve been offering cost-effective energy-efficiency programs since the late 1980s. These programs include rebates and incentives for various energy-efficient products, such as appliances, lighting, and water heaters. Franklin REC also offers programs designed to reduce electric demand, such as installing load control receivers. Additionally, your electric cooperative continues to upgrade facilities to maximize efficiency, including more efficient transformers and upgrades to substations. Generating, transmitting, and distributing electricity more efficiently helps Franklin REC manage costs more effectively, ultimately resulting in lower utility bills for our members.
Iowa’s electric cooperatives support energy efficiency as part of our continuing commitment to the cooperative principles. First, every electric cooperative is democratically controlled by its members, who elect local representatives from among themselves to serve on the cooperative board. These board members, in turn, actively participate in governance and long-term decision-making, including investments in energy-efficiency programs. By maintaining local control over energy efficiency, these programs can be tailored to meet the specific needs of the members and communities we serve.
Second, electric cooperatives understand the value of education and training. As co-op employees and board members continually receive training to become better equipped to manage day-to-day operations, co-ops also work hard to provide information and education to our members on energy-efficient products and services and how to effectively manage your energy use.
Third, electric cooperatives work hard to maintain and enhance the communities we serve. Energy-efficiency programs can help reduce additional electricity purchases or the need to build additional electric generation, which works to minimize energy costs for our members.
Finally, electric cooperatives work in cooperation with other cooperatives to more effectively deliver energy-efficiency programs to members. By partnering with other cooperatives, energy-efficiency programs can be developed and delivered more effectively and at a lower cost than Franklin REC could do alone.
Working together with other community-focused cooperatives, Franklin REC assesses the costs and benefits of each program to determine what to offer to our members. We perform four benefit-cost tests to determine the cost-effectiveness of the program. First, the participant-cost test determines whether the program is cost-effective from the perspective of the participant in the program. Second, the utility-cost test determines whether the program is cost-effective from the perspective of Franklin REC. Third, the rate-payer-impact-cost test, also referred to as the RIM test, determines whether the program is cost-effective from the perspective of co-op members who do not participate in the program. Finally, the societal test determines whether the program is cost-effective from the perspective of society in general.
Ultimately, Franklin REC invests in energy-efficiency programs to benefit the communities we serve. If you have questions, concerns or would like to learn more about energy efficiency, please contact us at 641-456-2557 and ask to speak with our energy services advisor.