Colorado Gas New Home Construction Rebates

The best way to assure a home is energy efficient is to build it that way from the start. And... doing so could qualify you for a rebate from Black Hills Energy. Builders who meet the eligibility requirements may receive rebates ranging from $1,500 to $5,000 per home under Black Hills Energy Residential New Construction Program.

To qualify, space and water heating systems installed must use natural gas and must meet the minimum standards established for the other Black Hills Energy programs (>= 94% AFUE for furnaces and EF of 0.67 or higher for water heaters, depending on size). In addition, builders must use one of the following options to qualify a home for the program:

1. Prescriptive Standard: Follow Black Hills Energy's recommended prescriptive standard and have a BOP¹ inspection performed (see table below).
2. Performance Path: Opt to participate in one of two tiers by following Black Hills Energy Residential New Construction Program and ENERGY STAR current guidelines. Receive an ENERGY STAR-label by obtaining a qualifying tiered Home Energy Rating (HERS) index score according to building guidelines. To apply for Tier 2* you must achieve a HERS index score at least 5 percent lower than the the Tier 1 level.

NOTE:

*Tier 2 rebates are only available for single-family detached or attached homes or duplexes. For more details please download application or call 888-567-0799.

Feature	Requirement
Envelope	R-10 continuous, or R-13 cavity foundation insulation
Slab Insulation	>= R-10 4 ft depth
Floor Insulation (Above Unheated Space)	>= R-30
Walls	>= R-20 or R-13 + 5
Windows Energy Star qualified or .30 U	<= 15% of above-grade conditioned floor area<= 0.35<= 0.35
Doors	>= R-5
Ceiling	>= R-49
Space Heating	>= 94% AFUE Natural Gas Furnace >= 85% AFUE Natural Gas Boiler>= 0.84 CAE Integrated Space and Water Heating
Thermostat	Pre-programmed 5-1-1, 5-2 or 7- day
Water Heating Storage Water Heater -or- Tankless Water Heater -or- Integrated Space and Water Heating	>= 0.67 EF>= 0.84 CAE
Infiltration	<= 5 ACH50 based on Blower Door Test Recommended: Mechanical Ventilation
Duct Work Insulation Leakage	>= R-8 in unconditioned space. Duct sealing as appropriate; All sheet metal joints, supply and returns should be sealed with duct mastic, aluminum foil tape or other approved sealant (goal is: <= 4% CFM to outdoors)
A Black Hills Energy Residential New Construction Program home does not automatically qualify for the ENERGY STAR-label. In addition to meeting the Black Hills Energy prescriptive standard, ENERGY STAR requires completion of the following checklists to qualify for an ENERGY STAR new home label: 1) Thermal Enclosure System Rater Checklist; 2) HVAC System Quality Installation Rater and Contractor Checklists: and 3) Water Management System Builder Checklist. Black Hills Energy encourages builders to get the ENERGY STAR-label whenever possible to assist new home buyers in recognizing the higher efficiency of their homes.

¹ BOPs are a set of prescriptive requirements provided by the EPA that if adhered to, indicate the home will perform to the ENERGY STAR efficiency standards. Homes must be inspected to be labeled ENERGY STAR. To qualify for the Black Hills Energy program, homes must meet the equipment efficiency requirements as well as the BOP requirements.

Builders may choose to follow the performance path by participating in one of two tiers and following Black Hills Energy Residential New Construction Program and ENERGY STAR current home performance guidelines for the Home Energy Rating System (HERS). This option requires you install high-efficiency natural gas space and water heating systems and achieve a HERS index score below a given level. Tier 1-qualified homes achieve an ENERGY STAR HERS index target in accordance to ENERGY STAR current guidelines and Tier 2-qualified homes achieve a HERS index score at least 5 percent lower than the Tier 1 level. Qualify for a rebate from $1,500 for Tier 1 to $5,000 for Tier 2 by meeting all of the pgrogram's performance requirements. In addition, Black Hills Energy pays up to $300 towards the cost of the HERS rating. (Once you have submitted your application for Tier 1, you are no longer eligible to change or alter your upgrades to qualify for Tier 2.)

NOTE: Natural gas must be the primary fuel source to qualify for this program.

Feature	Requirement	Tier
Heating Equipment	AFUE 94% or greater	Tier 1 HERS
Heating Equipment	AFUE 96% or greater	Tier 2 HERS
Water Heater	0.67 EF or greater	Tier 1 HERS
Water Heater	0.80 EF or greater or 90% TE or greater	Tier 2 HERS
Tankless Water Heater	0.82 EF or greater	Tier 2* HERS

NOTE:

*Tier 2 rebates are only available for single-family detached or attached homes or duplexes. For more details please download application or call 888-567-0799.

For additional information, please call us toll-free at 888-567-0799.

You may also view and print the applications below by clicking on them:

• 2012 CO Gas Residential New Construction Application

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