New Mexico
Utility Energy Efficiency Programs
Updated: January 2008
Overview
New Mexico has seen a growth rate in population of 1.2% per year on average from 2000-2006. The energy consumption growth rate has been 0.2% per year on average from 2000-2006. Meanwhile, the energy expenditures per capita is $2,745, which is ranked 37th among all US states.
The state is served by three Investor-owned utilities - Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM), El Paso Electric (EPE), and Xcel Energy. PNM, based in Albuquerque, is the state's largest electricity provider with about 487,000 customers in 100 communities statewide. EPE covers southern New Mexico along with territory in west Texas, serving 351,000 customers. Finally, Xcel Energy serves 3.3 million customers in eight Midwestern and Western states, including New Mexico after acquiring its wholly subsidiary - Southwestern Public Service (SPS). Twenty-one rural electric cooperatives handle the remaining customers in New Mexico.
PNM is also the state's largest natural gas provider with 490,000 natural customers. Three other natural gas utilities serve the remaining customers. They include Capitan-Carrizozo Natural Gas Association, Raton Natural Gas Company, and Zia Natural Gas Company.
Below is an update on the energy efficiency programs in New Mexico:
- Electricity Demand-Side Management
- Natural Gas Demand-Side Management
(scroll down to view the details)
Electricity Demand-Side Management
Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM)
Below is a list of energy efficiency programs offered by PNM for their residential and business customers:
Business Energy Efficiency & Conservation Program
- Business Lighting Rebates
PNM is offering business electric customers rebates for replacing incandescent or other energy-inefficient lighting fixtures and lamps with energy-efficient fluorescent and high intensity discharge (HID) fixtures. Rebates are for CFLs to large lighting fixtures. An unlimited amount of fixtures can be replaced. For details, click here.
- Advanced Evaporative Cooling Rebate
PNM is offering business electric customers rebates for installing energy-efficient advanced evaporative cooling equipment - up to $500 per qualifying unit installed. For details, click here.
- PNM Power Saver Program
Demand for electricity typically soars on the summer's hottest days, when many people run refrigerated air conditioners for longer periods of time and at higher levels. PNM is partnering with its small business customers in the Albuquerque-metro and Santa Fe areas to manage their energy use during peak demand days. A small Power Saver device is connected to the exterior of the AC unit, and installed free of charge by a PNM contractor. The device may be activated on certain summer days from June through September to put the AC unit in conservation mode (turning the compressor off for a few minutes each half-hour. For details, click here.
- PNM Peak Saver Program
This program is designed to help PNM large commercial electric customers reduce the amount of energy they use during peak demand days, typically the hottest days of the year. The program is administered by EnerNOC, an authorized third party contractor, and the company will work to manage the peak electricity load with each customer. Participation is free. A quarterly incentive is provided and depends on the amount of electricity saved. For details, click here.
- ENERGY STAR Home Rebate
PNM is offering homebuilders a rebate for each Energy Star-qualified home they build. Homes that earn the Energy Star Home rating must meet guidelines for energy efficiency set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Typically, these homes have 20-30% more energy-efficient than standard homes and must include effective insulation and air sealing; high performance windows, doors and skylights; tight construction and ducts; and independent testing and inspection. For details, click here.
Residential Energy Efficiency & Conservation Programs
- PNM Refrigerator
Recycling Rebate
PNM offers 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 a modest rebate in exchange. For details, click here.
- Home
Lighting Discount
PNM residential electric customers can receive discounts on CFLs at participating retailers, which includes Costco, Home Depot, Lowe's, Sam's Club, and some Ace and True Value stores in the service area. Customers may also purchase discounted CFLs online at the Energy Foundation Incorporated (EFI) online store. For details, click here.
- Advanced Evaporative Cooling Rebate
PNM is offering residential electric customers rebates for installing energy-efficient advanced evaporative cooling equipment - up to $400 per qualifying unit installed. Homebuilders can also qualify for this rebate. For details, click here.
- PNM Power Saver Program
PNM is partnering with its residential customers in the Albuquerque-metro and Santa Fe areas to manage their energy use during peak demand days. A small Power Saver device is connected to the exterior of the AC unit, and installed free of charge by a PNM contractor. The device may be activated on certain summer days from June through September to put the AC unit in conservation mode (turning the compressor off for a few minutes each half-hour. For details, click here.
El Paso Electric (EPE)
EPE offers educational information and tools for its customers to learn more about energy efficiency.
- Home
Energy Suite
This online and interactive tool analyzes a customer's home energy use. It features an interactive cut-away house, a HomeEnergy Calculator, an appliance calculator, a lighting calculator, and energy efficiency tips and information. For details, click here.
Xcel Energy
Xcel Energy offers educational information and tools for its customers to learn more about energy efficiency.
Business Energy Efficiency & Conservation Programs
- Purchasing Advisor
This online library features educational information on categories of energy-related products that are often purchased for use in commercial buildings. These categories include building shell, distributed generation, HVAC, lighting, motors, office equipment, power quality equipment, refrigeration, water heating, and calculators. For details, click here.
- Commercial Energy Advisor
This tool provides customers with a detailed breakdown of energy consumption and daily demand loads for eight types of commercial buildings. This list includes congregational buildings, grocery stores, and hospitals. Limited service motels, office buildings, restaurants, retail buildings and schools. For details, click here.
Residential Energy Efficiency & Conservation Programs
- InfoSmart by Xcel Energy
This program offers a variety of online energy-saving tools. For details on all tools described below, click here.
- Home Energy
Analyzer
A highly interactive and user-friendly tool that will help customers understand their energy usage and provides them a personalized set of energy recommendations to lower their energy bill.
- Energy Calculators
A set of stand-alone appliance calculators to explore energy use and costs as well as savings from replacing key appliances. These calculators place a strong emphasis on EPA ENERGY STAR® labeling.
- ENERGYsmart University
This tool is a virtual college campus that focuses on energy related issues. The user-interface is designed to provide a familiar setting while researching information on topics such as Energy and the Environment or How a Refrigerator Works.
- ENERGYsmart
Library
The library is divided up into topic areas such as Heating, Cooling, Food Storage, Water Heating, etc. A Library query tool assists in any search requests.
- Home Energy
Analyzer
New Mexico Rural Cooperatives
Some cooperatives are offering a few programs on energy efficiency products and services along with online educational information.
- Continental Divide Electric Cooperative
In 2008, this co-op is offering free compact fluorescent light bulbs to its customers. For details, click here.
- Lea County Rural Electric Cooperative
Members can finance their energy efficient improvements with an Energy Resource Conservation and Weatherization loan through the cooperative. For details, click here.
- Navopache Electric Cooperative
This cooperative is offering Time-of-Use Rates to its member willing to change their lifestyle by using much of their electricity during off-peak times. Members receive a discounted rate during off-peak hours to encourage them to use their electricity then. A service charge is applied. For details, click here.
- NORA Electric Cooperative
The NORA Co-op will provide a free energy use analysis of customers' home or business. For details click here. It will also offer Time-of-Use Rates for its members willing to use much of their electricity during off-peak hours. For details, click here.
- Roosevelt County Electric Cooperative
Members are able to finance energy efficiency improvements with an Energy Resource Conservation (ERC) loan through the cooperative. The loan can be used for electric or dual fuel heat pumps, geothermal heat pumps, and storm windows and doors. For details, click here.
- Socorro Electric Cooperative
It will offer Time-of-Use Rates for its members willing to use much of their electricity during off-peak hours. For details, click here. Loans are also available for weatherization. For details, click here.
Natural Gas Demand-Side Management
Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM)
Below is a list of energy efficiency programs offered by PNM for their customers:
- Insulation Rebate
Customers can get rebates by having a contractor insulate and weatherize their home. A 25% rebate is available for insulating attic, roof, wall, crawl space; ductwork leakage testing and sealing; and air infiltration testing and sealing. For details, click here.
- Rebates: Retail Thermostats and Water Heater Wraps
Customers that install water heater wraps and ENERGY STAR-qualified programmable thermostats can receive a rebate. For details, click here.
- Gas Efficiency Bundled Rebate Package
Customers can receive rebates when they have a participating contractor install energy efficient products in their home. The products include ENERGY STAR thermostat, water heater wrap, low-flow shower head and pipe insulation. For details, click here.
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� 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