New Jersey Clean Energy Program – A Detailed Guide
We all like to save a little money here and there. What if we told you that you could do so and save the planet simultaneously as a New Jersey resident?
Below, you can learn about the New Jersey Clean Energy Program, available incentives, and how to redeem them.
What Is the New Jersey Clean Energy Program?
The New Jersey Clean Energy Program is a statewide plan. Its goal is to help New Jersey residents, local governments, and business owners preserve energy. In the process, these beneficiaries save the environment and put some money back into their pockets.
The program’s efforts will contribute to the Energy Master Plan’s goals. This plan is part of the state’s long-term objective to get New Jersey to operate on 100% clean energy by 2050.
Who Runs the New Jersey Clean Energy Program?
The Office of Clean Energy runs the NJ Clean Energy Program. The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) established this office in 2003.
This office was there to run the New Jersey program in its early years and continues to do so today.
However, the New Jersey Clean Energy Program doesn’t operate privately. Instead, it consists of representatives from multiple industries.
Some parties representing the program include government and industry professionals, public interest groups, energy experts, and academicians.
These parties worked to set up stakeholder groups. This way, they can have a say in the New Jersey Clean Energy Program’s operations.
Stakeholder groups facilitate the development of the New Jersey Clean Energy Program and provide advice regarding its goals, objectives, administration, design, budget, and evaluation.
With its stakeholders, this plan is where it is today.
Anyone, including non-stakeholders, can participate in stakeholder meetings to further facilitate the New Jersey Clean Energy Program’s impact on the state.
What Rebates Are Available for the New Jersey Clean Energy Program?
While the New Jersey Clean Energy Program is about protecting the environment, you’ll also have the chance to put some money in your pockets.
For Residents
Check out some rebates available for New Jersey residents:
Home Performance with ENERGY STAR
The Home Performance program with ENERGY STAR is a whole-house solution. When you enroll, you can add anywhere from 5 to 30% of your energy bill back into your wallet.
You can receive a rebate of up to $4,000 and a 0% interest loan. You’ll also get to work with qualified technicians who’ll assess your home’s condition and perform an energy audit to maximize your savings.
Electric Vehicles
The transportation sector emits tons of greenhouse gases, and New Jersey wants to cut these down.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy is attempting to register more than 300,000 EVs by 2025. You can receive up to $5,000 from the New Jersey Clean Energy Program when you lease or buy a new, eligible electric vehicle.
Gas/Oil Furnaces & Boilers
You can qualify for a rebate on gas/oil furnaces or boilers depending on your unit’s type and AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency). The higher the efficiency level, the greater your reward will be.
Water Heaters
Homeowners often replace water heaters hastily because of emergencies. They’ll select whichever is the appropriate storage tank size for their building.
However, it would help if you considered several factors when picking the best water heater for your home:
- Energy efficiency: measures how efficiently your unit burns gas
- First-hour rating: measures how much water your unit will deliver during a heavy-use hour
- Equipment capacity: measures how large your unit is (one that’s too big will result in wasted energy)
The rebate from the New Jersey Clean Energy Program will vary depending on which water heater you invest in, but homeowners can receive up to $800 (and even more in some cases)
Heat Pumps
The New Jersey Clean Energy Program calculates rebates for heat pumps based on three rating factors: the HSPF, EER, and SEER. To qualify for the refund, your heat pump must meet the minimum level for all three rating factors.
Mini-Split A/C Systems
Mini-split A/C systems let you adjust the temperatures in individual spaces. They can be efficient with good SEER and EER ratings, but older models can harm the environment and your wallet.
The NJCEP offers residents up to $500 to install heat pumps that meet predetermined minimum efficiency levels.
Central Air Conditioners
For its central air conditioner rebates, the NJCEP considers the SEER and EER of the unit and the air handler, coil, and compressor (if applicable). Homeowners may receive anywhere from $300-$500 for an eligible central air conditioner.
Refrigerators
More than 60 million U.S. refrigerators are over ten years old. The NJCEP is doing its part by attempting to weed these products out of homes. It offers anywhere from $25 to $75 for homeowners to install more efficient models.
Clothes Washers
Did you know the average U.S. household washes nearly 300 laundry loads yearly?
As an N.J. homeowner, you can buy an ENERGY STAR-qualified clothes washer and lower your energy and water costs over the long term. Plus, the NJCEP will give you between $50 and $75 to install a new machine in your house.
Clothes Dryers
Modern clothes dryers certified by ENERGY STAR can use up to 20% less energy than older models. A Baseline ENERGY STAR rebate is $100, but a model with the ENERGY STAR Most Efficient label will make you $300 richer.
Appliance Recycling
If you’re planning on putting a new home appliance in, you have to get rid of your old one somehow. Don’t just throw it out — consider recycling it through the New Jersey Clean Energy Program.
You’ll receive a $50 reward for every working refrigerator or freezer you recycle. You can also contact the NJCEP to recycle an A.C. unit for $25, but you must have it ready for pickup during the same appointment as your freezer or refrigerator.
Dehumidifiers, Air Purifiers, and Room ACs
You can qualify for a $50, $25, and $15 rebate when installing a new air purifier, dehumidifier, and room AC unit.
New Home Construction
Are you planning to build a new home? You can explore one of the four tiers that the NJCEP recognizes and benefit from:
- Less overall energy use
- Increased savings
- High-performance cooling and heating
- Tighter construction and wall-to-wall comfort
- Advanced inspections to ensure builders follow strict requirements
For Businesses & Governments
Individual homeowners are just some of the ones who can apply for a rebate. NJ businesses and local governments can also seek a New Jersey Clean Energy Program refund.
Benchmarking Services
The NJCEP offers commercial, industrial, institutional, and higher-education building benchmarking services.
Qualified professionals assess a facility’s energy performance through these services and compare it to other buildings. They’ll then provide an informative report that details new technologies to implement and accompanying financial incentives to reduce the cost of the new projects.
Pay for Performance
Another way the New Jersey Clean Energy Program helps businesses and governments is through its Pay for Performance program. This program offers incentives for whole-building energy advancements.
Larger buildings most often take advantage of this program. As you look into this program, the NJCEP will help you find an approved partner so you can seek services directly under a reputable contractor.
Combined Heat and Power
One of the more specific programs available for businesses and governments deals with Combined Heat & Power (CHP) and fuel cells. The NJCEP offers generous rebates on these products, as they reduce heat waste for intensive industrial and commercial processes.
How Attic Insulation and Air Sealing Can Help You Save Energy and Money with New Jersey’s Clean Energy Program
Attic insulation and air sealing are two measures that reduce heat loss or gain through your attic. Heat loss or gain occurs when warm air escapes or enters your home through gaps or cracks in your attic floor or roof. This makes your heating or cooling system work harder and use more energy to maintain a comfortable temperature inside your home.
Adding insulation and sealing air leaks in your attic can create a barrier that prevents heat transfer between your home and the outside. This means you can keep your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter with less energy. According to ENERGY STAR, you can save up to 15% on heating and cooling costs by properly insulating and sealing your attic.
To participate in the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR program, you must contact a certified contractor who will perform a comprehensive home energy assessment for $250 (a $500 value). The contractor will evaluate your home’s current energy use and recommend improvements to make it more efficient. The contractor will also provide you with an estimate of how much you can save on energy bills by implementing these improvements.
Depending on the scope of work and the estimated savings, you may qualify for rebates up to $4,000 or financing options up to $10,000 at 0% interest for seven years through NJCEP2. You may also be eligible for additional incentives from your local utility company.
By upgrading your attic insulation and air sealing with NJCEP’s Home Performance with ENERGY STAR program, you can save money on your energy bills and contribute to New Jersey’s clean energy goals. You can also enjoy a more comfortable, healthy, and durable home for years to come.
To learn more about this program or find a certified contractor near you, visit NJCEP or call 866-NJSMART (866-657-6278).
How to Submit a Rebate for the New Jersey Clean Energy Program
If you’ve made improvements to your home and want to take advantage of the rebates, you have two options:
Applying Online through the NJ Clean Energy Program Portal
We recommend applying for a rebate online, as this method will be the fastest way to earn your reward. Alternatively, you can fill out a printed paper form and mail it in, but it’ll take much longer to receive compensation.
If possible, fill out your application online. Navigate to the rebate you’re interested in and click on either the Customer or Contractor Portal (whichever one applies to you). Then, select the “Start a Rebate Application” button.
You must verify your eligibility, assemble your account numbers, and gather the appropriate documents. You can see all the documents you need before you start the application.
Applying through Your Utility Company
You must apply for a rebate through the New Jersey Clean Energy Program website. However, you’ll soon be able to apply directly through your utility company.
This convenience will simplify enrolling in the program, saving money, and improving the environment’s health even simpler.
How Long Does It Take to Receive NJ Clean Energy Rebate?
On average, receiving your rebate can take 90-120 days.
What Resources Does the New Jersey Clean Energy Program Offer?
You can visit the New Jersey Clean Energy Program website for a comprehensive list of resources. These resources include downloadable applications and informative program presentations.
You can also visit a separate website called the New Jersey Clean Energy Learning Center. This site is the main program’s educational portal. It contains multiple video presentations and guides to help you better understand the program.
Conclusion — Understanding the New Jersey Clean Energy Program
The New Jersey Clean Energy Program is an excellent way to encourage residents, businesses, and local governments to implement eco-friendly energy initiatives.
The program has run successfully for nearly twenty years and shows no signs of stopping. Visit the official website to learn more. Start applying for rebates and earn money for your eco-friendly efforts!