The purpose of the requirements which follow is to aid Butler Rural Electric Cooperative in inspecting and verifying the ENERGY STAR appliance (refrigerator or stand-alone freezer) installation’s eligibility for a rebate.
Specific Requirements
Qualified Equipment and Installation
a. Refrigerators, stand-alone freezers, and central air conditioning units must be new and ENERGY STAR rated at time of purchase and installation. See www.energystar.gov for current ENERGY STAR specifications.
b. Central air conditioning units shall be a central system unit, must include properly-sized duct work, be wired according to the cooperative’s requirements concerning second meters and possible future installation of load control switches for direct load management efforts, be in compliance with the National Electric Code and local or Ohio Electric Code requirements, and be installed by dealer approved by Butler Rural Electric Cooperative.
c. The cooperative must verify ENERGY STAR listing through either a copy of the yellow Energy Guide label or the owner’s manual (must include ENERGY STAR logo or statement of ENERGY STAR-certification).
d. The cooperative must verify through a purchase receipt that new ENERGY STAR refrigerator, stand-alone freezer, or central air conditioning unit was purchased and installed between June 1, 2025 and December 31, 2026. Units purchased prior to January 1, 2026 are not eligible.
Refrigerators and stand-alone freezers must be sized according to cubic feet and meet size requirement to be eligible, and central air conditioning unit must meet minimum SEER rating.
a. New ENERGY STAR refrigerators sized 10-30 cubic feet are eligible.
b. New ENERGY STAR stand-alone freezers sized 10-30 cubic feet are eligible.
c. New ENERGY STAR central air conditioning unit with minimum 16 SEER rating. A maximum cap of 6 tons is set for unit (no large commercial units).
Eligibility for Rebate
1. The building must be a residence, no commercial or industrial buildings, which uses electricity from Butler Rural Electric Cooperative.
2. Rebate is to be paid to the cooperative member who owns the residence. The rebate cannot be paid to a builder/dealer.
Conditions of Rebate
1. Refrigerators and stand-alone freezers not meeting cubic feet requirements are not eligible for this program.
2. Central air conditioning units not meeting 16 SEER minimum are not eligible for this program.
3. The purchase and installation of the ENERGY STAR refrigerator, stand-alone freezer, or central air conditioning unit must be approved by the cooperative.
Rebate
1. A maximum of one ENERGY STAR appliance rebate may be paid per residential member during the current program year January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026.
2. ENERGY STAR refrigerators, stand-alone freezers, or central air conditioning units purchased prior to January 1, 2026 are not eligible.