Southwest Energy Efficiency Project

Nevada

Utility Energy Efficiency Programs
Updated: January 2008

Overview

Nevada is one of the fastest growing states in terms of population and energy consumption. The population has grown 4.1% each year from 2000-2006. Meanwhile, electricity retail sales reached 34.6 billion kilowatt (BkWh) in 2006 with a growth rate of 3.5% per year on average from 2000-2006. Also, total natural gas consumption was 249.7 billion cubic feet (Bcf) in 2006 with a growth rate of 4.6% per year on average from 2000-2006. This rapid expansion presents a number of challenges including the high investment in new generation, transmission and distribution facilities, increase in water consumption, and higher pollution by power plants.

NVSP Territory Nevada is served by two main electric utilities - Nevada Power Company and Sierra Pacific Power Company, totaling 1.2 million customers and 7,800 megawatts (MW) of peak production. Eight rural electric cooperatives serve the remaining customers in Nevada.

Natural gas is provided by Sierra Pacific Resources and Southwest Gas Corporation, which together serve a total 787,000 customers in Nevada.

A number of steps are being taken to increase energy efficiency, including increasing electric utility and natural gas demand-side management (DSM) programs.

Below is a status report on the energy efficiency programs in Nevada:

Electricity Demand-Side Management
- Nevada Power Company and Sierra Pacific Company
  - Business Energy Conservation Programs
  - Residential Energy Conservation Programs
- Wells Rural Electric Cooperative
Natural Gas Demand-Side Management
- Sierra Pacific Resources

(scroll down to view the details)

Electricity Demand-Side Management

Nevada Power Company and Sierra Pacific Power Company

Below is a list of energy efficiency programs offered by each company for their residential and business customers:

Business Energy Conservation Programs

Sure Bet Program
This program offers prescriptive incentives for lighting, cooling, motors, refrigeration and vending machine controls. In addition, custom incentives are offered for any measure not covered under the prescriptive project that results in verifiable energy or peak-demand savings, and it also offers building optimization and small commercial direct install incentives and services. For details, click here.
Cool Share Program
Nevada Power offers this program to small businesses with air conditioning units of 10 tons or less. It automatically cycles the participating facility's HVAC system on the hottest weekdays (104°F and above). These "events" generally last no more than three hours with an estimated 33 events to occur in a year. Each customer is estimated to receive $1 reward per event. A free web-programmable thermostat with installation and service is also available. For details, click here.
Solar Generations
Rebates are available to small businesses, public buildings, schools and residents to lower the costs of installing a solar electric system. Regulations governing the program are currently under review by the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada (PUCN). Applications will be available in summer 2008. For details, click here.
Time of Use Business Rates
Nevada Power Time of Use (TOU) rate rewards customers for reducing consumption during periods when electrical demand is highest, typically June through September from 1-7 pm. Thus, your rate is lower for a large part of the year. For details, click here. As of January 2008, Sierra Pacific Power is revising their TOU program. For details, click here.
Training
Nevada Power will provide support and training to home appraisers, real estate agents, financial banks, and homebuyers to educate them on zero energy homes built in local new-home construction markets and the value of investing in energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies. Both utility companies offer ongoing educational events for businesses on energy efficiency measures.

Residential Energy Conservation Programs

Cool Share Program
Nevada Power offers this program to residential customers with central air conditioning. It automatically cycles the participating facility's HVAC system on the hottest weekdays (104°F and above). These "events" generally last no more than three hours with an estimated 33 events to occur in a year. Each customer is estimated to receive $1 reward per event. A free web-programmable thermostat with installation and service is also available. For details, click here.
Air Conditioning and Heating Rebates for Homeowners
This program offers incentives for customers who install qualifying high efficiency cooling and heating equipment, and who use participating heating, ventilation, and air conditioning contractors. For details on Sierra Pacific's program, click here. For details on Nevada Power's program, click here.
Refrigerator Recycling
Both Sierra Pacific Company and Nevada Power are sponsoring this program for residential customers who turn in their old refrigerator or freezer, which can typically consume 3 times the power than energy-efficient ones.. The utility will pick up the old appliance and give the owner $30 in exchange.
Solar Generations
Rebates are available to residential customers along with small businesses, public buildings, and schools to lower the costs of installing a solar electric system. Regulations governing the program are currently under review by the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada (PUCN). Applications will be available in summer 2008. For details, click here.
ENERGY STAR Lighting and Appliances
Both Sierra Pacific and Nevada Power are providing discounts for their customers for compact fluorescent light bulbs and other ENERGY STAR products at participating retailers, including Costco, Amazon, Big Lots and Home Depot. Rebates for lighting are available while supplies last. As of January 2008, the rebates for appliances have been exhausted in both service areas.
Time of Use Residential Rates
Nevada Power Time of Use (TOU) rate rewards customers for reducing consumption during periods when electrical demand is highest, typically June through September from 1-7 pm. Thus, your rate is lower for a large part of the year. For details, click here. As of January 2008, Sierra Pacific Power is revising their TOU program. For details, click here.
Air Conditioning Incentives for HVAC Contractors
Incentives are available for participating contractors who perform refrigerant charge and airflow (RCA), and duct testing and sealing (DTS) for the new home and existing home markets to help promote high efficiency air conditioning in Nevada. For details on the Nevada Power program, click here. For details on the Pacific Power program, click here.
ENERGY STAR Manufactured Homes
This program provides incentives to manufacturers, dealers and contractors for the installation of ENERGY STAR qualified building envelope measures, air distribution systems, air conditioners, and compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) in new manufactured homes. For details, click here.

Wells Rural Electric Cooperative (WREC)

WREC is a nonprofit cooperative serving customers in and around the cities of Wells, Wendover and Carlin, Nevada. Through the end of 2008, WREC is offering a residential rebate program for energy efficiency improvements, including insulation, window replacement, purchase of compact fluorescent light bulbs and energy-efficient appliances. For details, visit: www.wrec.coop/members/rebate_matrix.pdf.

Natural Gas Demand-Side Management

As of January 2008, Sierra Pacific Resources is offering one program to increase energy efficiency among natural gas customers (see below). Southwest Gas Corporation has no programs to date.

Sierra Pacific Resources

Heating Rebates for Homeowners
Sierra Pacific Resources is offering rebates for customers who install qualifying high efficiency gas furnaces or gas boilers, and who use participating contractors. For details, click here.

© 2002-2008 Southwest Energy Efficiency Project
2260 Baseline Rd. Suite 212, Boulder, CO 80302
(303) 447-0078 fax: (303) 786-8054 info@swenergy.org

Last Updated: 01/30/2008