Claim energy rebate for replacing HVAC unit?

Question

I'm replacing an HVAC unit in one of my rentals and want to get the energy rebate.  My local utility requires the following:

• Active Energy Customer Account Number
• Tax Assessor Property ID

Any ideas how a landlord can file when the utilities aren't under their name?

Randy Landman · Answer

I went through this before.  The utility company said that they could only send out a rebate to someone that had an active account with them.  If my personal residence was with the same utility company as the rental property was, then I would have been fine.  But my house is serviced by a different company.  So the utility company told me to have the tenant send in the forms and pay me back.  That was the only way I could get the rebate since I wasn't personally a customer of theirs.  So I filled out the paperwork, mailed it to the tenant, and ask if she could send it in for me and reimburse me.  I offered her $50 of the rebate for her trouble.  She was fine with doing it and didn't even charge me the $50 I offered.  Of course she does save on her electric bill every month because of the appliance.

Petra M. · Answer

Makes sense.  Thanks!  I'll call the utility company!

Matt Devincenzo · Answer

Call and check with them, you probably can. They just asked for the customer #, it doesn't say it has to be in your name.

I say that because out here there's a water rebate for installing low flow toilets, and I looked into it. I'm the tenant and can file the claim for the rebate, but have to provide the last water bill, which my LL pays not me. They specifically say that is fine they just need a copy of the bill verifying that the account is for a property within their service area.

My bet is that your utility wants it for the same reason, or something similar, and you can file for the rebate as a LL even if the tenant is the one paying the bill.