New Mexico
Utility Energy Efficiency Programs
Updated: January 2009
Overview
New Mexico has seen a population growth rate of 1.2% per year on average from
2000-2007, while primary energy consumption growth rate has averaged 0.2% per
year. Energy expenditures per capita is $2,745 (in 2004), ranking New Mexico
37th among all US states.
The state is served by three investor-owned electric 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 361,000 customers. Xcel
Energy serves a total 3.3 million customers in eight Midwestern and Western
states, including 114,000 in New Mexico. Twenty-one rural electric cooperatives
handle the remaining customers in New Mexico.
The New Mexico Gas Company (purchased from PNM in early 2009) is the state's
largest natural gas provider with 490,000 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
(For more information, visit PNM's
Business Rebates & Incentives)
- Business Lighting Rebates
PNM offers 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.
- Advanced Evaporative Cooling Rebate
PNM offers business electric customers rebates for installing
energy-efficient advanced evaporative cooling equipment - up to $500 per
qualifying unit installed.
- PNM Power Saver Program
PNM partners 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.
- 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.
- ENERGY STAR Home Rebate
PNM offers 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 are 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.
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Residential Energy Efficiency & Conservation Programs
(For more information, visit PNM's
Residential
Rebate & Discounts)
- 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.
- Home Lighting Discount
PNM residential electric customers can receive discounts on CFLs at
participating retailers. Customers may also purchase discounted CFLs online
at the Energy Foundation Incorporated (EFI) online store.
- 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.
- 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.
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El Paso Electric (EPE)
Below is a list of energy efficiency programs offered by EPE for
their residential and business customers. (For more information, visit
EPE Saver)
- Commercial Efficiency Program
EPE's Commercial Efficiency Program pays incentives to energy efficiency
service providers who install energy efficiency measures in commercial or
industrial facilities. Eligible facilities must have a maximum individual
facility demand greater than 50 kW. Incentives are paid for both energy and
demand savings, and the installed measures must have the potential to reduce
peak summer demand by at least 10 kW, except for projects that are
self-sponsored, for which there is no minimum kW.
- Home Efficiency Program
EPE offers its customers a mix and match energy efficiency program designed
to improve comfort and save energy. Its "Multi-Pack" enables the customer to
choose the measures that suit their needs. The program includes rebates for
high-efficiency air conditioning and evaporative cooler upgrades, ceiling
insulation to R-30, floor insulation to R-19, wall insulation to R-11, solar
screens for windows on east or west walls, air infiltration reduction, and
duct sealing or replacement. Rebates vary depending on the mix of measures
chosen.
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Xcel Energy
Below is a list of energy efficiency programs offered by Xcel for their
residential and business customers in New Mexico.
Business Energy
Efficiency & Conservation Programs
(For more information, visit
Xcel Energy Business)
- Energy Resource Library
Xcel provides online tools for business customers to learn about energy
efficiency including Purchasing Advisor, Commercial Energy Advisor and
Operations and Maintenance Advisor.
- Conservation Rebates and Incentives
Xcel offers rebates and incentives for installation of energy-efficient
cooling equipment, lighting and other measures.
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Residential Energy Efficiency & Conservation
Programs
(For more information visit
Xcel Energy Residential)
- Online Resources
Xcel provides a variety of online resources and tools for customers to learn
about energy efficiency including InfoSmart, Home Energy Analyzer, Energy
Calculators, ENERGYsmart University, and ENERGYsmart Library.
- Compact
Fluorescent Bulbs
Xcel Energy offers CFL bulbs for sale to their customers. With every $35
purchase, the customer receives one free CFL.
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New Mexico Rural Cooperatives
Some cooperatives are offering a few programs on energy efficiency products
and services along with online educational information.
- Lea
County Rural Electric Cooperative
Members are eligible for a home energy audit which provides advice on energy
conservation measures and improving the overall thermal integrity of your
home. This service includes a visual inspection of the thermal qualities of
the home including the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC)
system. Members can finance their energy efficient improvements with an
Energy Resource Conservation and Weatherization loan through the
cooperative.
-
Navopache Electric Cooperative
This cooperative offers Time-of-Use Rates to members with high usage and
those 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.
-
Northern Rio Arriba Electric Cooperative (NORA)
The NORA Co-op offers Time-of-Use Rates for members willing to use much of
their electricity during off-peak hours. It provides a free energy use
analysis of customers' home or business, and offers financing options for
customers to purchase ETS heaters and energy efficient appliances.
-
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.
-
Socorro Electric Cooperative (SEC)
SEC offers Time-of-Use Rates for its members willing to use much of their
electricity during off-peak hours. Loans are also available for
weatherization. Rebates and loans are available for ETS Heaters. Testing of
appliances that may be high energy users is available from the Coop.
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Natural Gas Demand-Side Management
New Mexico Gas Company (NMGC)
Below is a list of energy efficiency programs offered by NMGC for their
customers.,. (Note: The sale of gas operations from PNM to NMGC became final in
early 2009. The energy efficiency program information is temporarily still on
the PNM website):
Business Energy Efficiency & Conservation
Programs
Residential Energy Efficiency & Conservation
Programs
-
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.
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