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Iowa Propane Association
P O Box 57118
Des Moines, IA 50317
Phone 515-564-1260
Fax 515-564-1262
2009 Safe Water Heater Rebate Program
I. PURPOSE
The purpose of the program is to promote the safe installation and use of energy efficient water heaters.
II. AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS
The program is funded through a refund of assessments paid by propane marketers to the Iowa Propane Education and Research Council. Once the pool of rebates ($100,000) for 2009 is exhausted, no additional rebates will be processed. The program may be terminated or revised by the Iowa Propane Gas Association (IPGA) at any time. The program may be put on hold or discontinued when funds are not available.
III. ELIGIBILITY
A. Marketers: Only Iowa propane marketers who have completed a Participation Form and have been accepted into the program are eligible to participate. The program is designed only for propane marketers and is not available to the public except through marketers. The marketer is responsible for documenting that an eligible installation has been performed, that all water heaters (installed and/or replaced) have been correctly identified, and that a safety inspection has been completed. Marketers must submit the completed application to IPGA for consideration.
An eligible marketer is one who:
1. operates or manages a retail business, including any branch, outlet or outlets, delivering odorized propane to consumers;
2. has completed and submitted a form prescribed by the IPGA for participation;
3. is a regular supplier or potential regular supplier of propane to an applicant.
B. Consumers: Consumers may only receive a rebate through a participating marketer. The customer must agree to the regulations and conditions stated on the application form, including allowing an inspection of the installation and agreeing not to modify or move the installation for the prescribed period. The appliance installation address must be in Iowa.
C. Eligible installations: The current program may authorize rebates for eligible water heaters purchased and installed after July 1, 2009:
• A $350 rebate for authorized propane water heater installations which occur in new construction; or to replace an existing electric or natural gas water heater with a new propane water heater.
• A $150 rebate for authorized propane water heater installations that replaces an existing propane water heater.
Installations performed on motor vehicles, travel trailers, mobile homes or manufactured homes that are not in permanent residential or commercial use in this state are not eligible for rebates under this program. The installation must take place on real property owned by the applicant and located in this state and occur within the effective dates of this program.
Eligible water heaters are defined as: ENERGY STAR® qualified water heaters. The following residential water heater product classes are eligible for ENERGY STAR®; Storage – Gas-fired – a nominal input of 75,000 BTU/hour or less and a rated storage volume from 20 to 100 gallons; Tankless – Gas fired – a nominal input of over 50,000 BTU/hour up to 200,000 BTU/hour and a rated storage volume of 2 gallons or less; Solar – Gas – OG-300 rating from the Solar Rating and Certification Corporation (SRCC).
D. Limits: No more than one water heater rebate shall be paid for each eligible installation. IPGA may limit the total number of rebates that may be paid to an applicant. All water heaters must be vented to be eligible for a rebate. All vent free products are ineligible.
E. Compliance: IPGA approves each application individually. Missing data or factual errors may delay or disqualify the application. Here are criteria for rejection applications:
1. Postmarked more that 30 days after inspection. IPGA will reject applications submitted later than 30 days after inspection; you will have to re-inspect the installation. IPGA may spot-check to ensure that inspections (or re-inspections) are performed as stated.
2. Incomplete application (signatures missing, copies not attached, etc.) Forms will be returned to the submitting marketer for correction. The 30 day inspection requirement will still apply and the marketer may need to re-inspect the installation prior to submitting the corrected application in order to stay in compliance. 3. False or misleading information. An applicant or propane marketer may be suspended from or declared ineligible to participate in the rebate program if the IPGA Board judges that the applicant or marketer has submitted false information or otherwise violated program rules. Within 30 days after the IPGA Board suspends or declares a participant ineligible, the applicant or propane marketer may appeal the action by submitting the appeal in writing to the IPGA Board. Actions taken by the IPGA Board with respect to such appeal will be final.
F. Application: Rebates must be submitted on forms prescribed and provided by the IPGA for this purpose. Copies of forms will not be accepted. Applications will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis according to receipt dates of complete and correct applications. Applications may be mailed or hand-delivered to IPGA for submission; no electronic or facsimile applications will be accepted.
G. Payment: IPGA may approve rebate payments to an applicant subject to availability of funds. Applicants have no legal right or other entitlement to receive rebates under this program, and receipt of a complete and correct application does not bind IPGA to approve payment of a rebate to any applicant. IPGA will process rebate applications promptly and send rebate checks to corresponding marketers or applicants at the end of each month.
IPGA may authorize payment of an eligible water heater rebate to a propane marketer only by assignment from a consumer. Rebate amounts assigned will be those in effect at the time an application is approved. A propane marketer or applicant who submits false information pertinent to the assignment of a rebate is subject to criminal and civil penalties.
H. Verification: A safety inspection, conducted by or on behalf of the participating marketer, must be conducted prior to submission of any eligible water heater rebate application. An appropriate safety inspection consists of an on-site inspection, including any necessary pressure tests or leak checks, and the existence of proper sediment traps and shut offs in the entire propane system. This inspection will be conducted by a propane marketer or a propane marketer’s designated agent, for the purpose of verifying that the NEW and EXISTING propane water heater was installed in compliance with Iowa Code section 101.1 – Chapter 226 –“Liquefied Petroleum Gas,” Iowa Administrative Code. The cost of this inspection is $50.00.
I. Complaints: Any person may file a complaint about an installation, an applicant, a propane marketer or another person regarding alleged violations of rebate program rules. Complaints must be submitted in writing to: IPGA, PO Box 57118, Des Moines, IA 50317.
For more information, please contact: Jay Christie or Kevin DeGoey at New Century FS -- (641) 236-3117 |
