Current Programs available to Limited Income Customers
Residential and Multifamily
CAP Program- Residential and Multifamily
The City of Austin offers programs to help customers facing temporary and long-term financial difficulties as
well as serious medical problems. Customers on low or fixed incomes who receive certain state, federal, and
local entitlement programs can benefit from the City of Austin’s CAP Discounts program. CAP Discounts can
help reduce utility bills an average of $650 a year.
Financial Support Plus 1- Residential and Multifamily
The Financial Support Plus- 1 fund provides emergency financial help to customers having temporary difficulty
paying their utility bills. Funding is distributed by local social service agencies. These agencies screen
applicants, determine eligibility, and arrange for funding to be applied to the customer’s utility account.
Free Thermostat—Residential and Multifamily
Free programmable thermostat plus free installation and warranty (value $200-$280) is offered to customers
who agree to allow Austin Energy to cycle off their air conditioner briefly during peak demand—when demand
for electricity is highest (June - September).
Kill A Watt – Watt-meter- Residential and Multifamily
Watt-meters are devices that read the amount of electricity used by typical household appliances. They can be
plugged into any standard 110 volt electric outlet. To find out how much the electricity used by each
appliance, simply plug the appliance into the wattmeter. The watt-meters are available for checkout at Austin
Public Libraries have been programmed with the average year round cost of electricity provided by Austin
Energy. Customers can scroll through the hour, day, week, month and year to find out how much each device
costs to run.
Power Saver Volunteers- Residential and Multifamily
Customers volunteer to reduce their energy usage during high electric demand days in the summer between
3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. When notified, customers consider taking the following steps: turn off all unnecessary
lights, delay the use of the dishwasher, clothes washer and dryer, use the microwave for cooking instead of
using the oven, and adjust the thermostat temperature 2-4 degrees, if possible. Participating customers that
sign up as Power Saver Volunteers will receive a weatherization kit in the mail that includes: (one each) Energy
Saving CFL Bulb (75 watt), Energy Saving CFL Bulb (65 watt), Adhesive Foam Tape Self Stick Weather-strip (3/8"
width x 3/16" height x 17'length), a 20 pack Switch and Outlet Sealers (2 1/2 wide 4" high), and a night light
with Austin Energy Logo.
Refrigerator/Freezer Recycling -Residential and Multifamily
Austin Energy offers $50 to recycle old working standard size (14-27) refrigerators and freezers (unlimited
amount of refrigerators/freezers). We pick up and recycle in an environmentally responsible manner.
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Residential
Free Home Energy Improvements (Free Weatherization)-Residential
Free home energy improvements to customers with low to moderate incomes. Austin Energy pays for
materials and labor for improvements: Attic insulation, minor duct repair and sealing, solar screens, caulking
around plumbing penetrations, and weather-stripping doors. Eligible homes may be leveraged with Texas Gas
Services, and Austin Water Utility funding.
Two levels of service:
•
•
Tier 1 basic weatherization
Tier 2 Basic weatherization and repair or replacement of HVAC
Home Performance w/Energy Star® - Residential
• Homes 10 years or older can receive rebates up to $1713 for making energy-efficiency
improvements such as: energy efficient air conditioner, duct diagnostic and sealing, solar shading,
additional attic insulation, caulking and weather-stripping.
Home Performance w/Energy Star® Loan- Residential
• Loans as low as 0% interest are offered for homes 10 years or older for making all recommended
energy-efficiency improvements such as: energy efficient air conditioner, duct diagnostic and
sealing, solar shading, additional attic insulation, caulking and weather-stripping. Loan Maximum is
$15,000 and financed from 3-10 years.
Home Performance w/Energy Star® Loan + Rebate- Residential
• Loans as low as 3.99% interest are offered for homes 10 years or older for making all recommended
energy-efficiency improvements such as: energy efficient air conditioner, duct diagnostic and
sealing, solar shading, additional attic insulation, caulking and weather-stripping. Additional
improvements are CFL's (on a per fixture basis), refrigerator, water heater pipe wrap insulation or
pool pump. Loan Maximum is $20,000 and financed up to 10 years.
Low-income Weatherization Rehabilitation Assistance Program (LWRAP) - Residential
Customers must be at or below 200% of poverty income level, referred as dwelling beyond the scope of
weatherization by AE, referred to AE by a member of the Housing Repair Coalition; service may include: basic
weatherization, and repair or replacement of HVAC. Eligible homes may be leveraged with Texas Gas Services,
and Austin Water Utility funding.
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Multifamily
Air Conditioning Replacement HVAC system- Multifamily
EXISTING OR REHABILITATION PROJECTS-Customer must follow all AE MF Program Guidelines and Rebate Process.
Rebates only apply to residential split-system or packaged units sized five tons or less. A minimum of four
systems must be installed to qualify for incentives. Existing HVAC systems must be field verified prior to
Rebate Application approval. New systems must be matched and listed on the CEE-AHRI HVAC DIRECTORY*
Customer must follow all current and applicable codes and guidelines for disposal. Existing systems may not
be sold or re-used.
Unit Rebates
SPLIT SYSTEM OR PACKAGED UNIT AIR CONDITIONER
WITH GAS OR ELECTRIC FURNACE
LEVEL
SEER
EER
REBATE
Tier 1
14.0
12.0
$200
Tier 2
15.0
12.5
$300
Tier 3
16.0
13.0
$400
Tier 4
17.0(& up)
13.5 (& up)
$500
Air Duct System Diagnostic & Improvements-Multifamily
Properties are assessed and rebates are determined based on the results of an initial air duct test. Rebates for
duct replacements or improvements require pre-approval. Rebates range from $0.20 up to $0.35 per square
foot of conditioned living space.
Ceiling Insulation Building Envelope Improvements - Multifamily
Rebates for ceiling insulation are:
• $0.15 per square foot for existing insulation level of R-7 or less taken to R-30 and $0.10 per square foot
for existing insulation level of R-8 to R-16. An effective R-value of R-30 must be achieved.
• $0.05 per square foot for existing insulation level of R-17 to R-22.
Common Area Lighting Replacements- Multifamily
Rebates for common area interior lighting, if the lights operate for at least four consecutive hours between
1pm-9pm, May - October, amounts vary from $6.00-$9.00 for minimum 30 watt and $9.00-$12.00 for minimum
55 watt.
Compact Fluorescent Lamp Lighting Replacements- Multifamily
Rebates for replacing existing incandescent lighting with:
• $4.00 for "screw in" Energy Star® bulbs
• $4.00 for compact fluorescent, globe, or flood lamps
• $3.00 for Spiral Lamps
• $4.00 for Specialty lamps
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Cycle Saver- Multifamily
A digital timer unit for electric water heaters, timer cycles water heater off.
• Residential Timers: 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
• Commercial Timers: 3:00 pm - 7:00 p.m. and 12 am to 4 am.
Timers are cycled off M-F June - September to help control electric demand citywide during our peak usage.
Water Heater Timers are only installed in Residential Multi-family and only when the whole complex installs
the devices. Timers are not installed in single family homes.
Heat Pump Replacement HVAC system- Multifamily
EXISTING OR REHABILITATION PROJECTS-Customer must follow all AE MF Program Guidelines and Rebate Process.
Rebates only apply to residential split-system or packaged units sized five tons or less. A minimum of four
systems must be installed to qualify for incentives. Existing HVAC systems must be field verified prior to
Rebate Application approval. New systems must be matched and listed on the CEE-AHRI HVAC DIRECTORY*
Customer must follow all current and applicable codes and guidelines for disposal. Existing systems may not
be sold or re-used.
Unit Rebates
SPLIT SYSTEM OR PACKAGED UNIT HEATPUMP
LEVEL
SEER
EER
REBATE
Tier 1
14.0
12.0
$300
Tier 2
15.0
12.5
$400
Tier 3
16.0
13.0
$500
Tier 4
17.0(& up) 13.5 (& up)
$600
Interior Lighting Replacements- Multifamily
Rebates for converting from incandescent to fluorescent fixtures are:
• $35.00 per fixture for kitchen lighting and $30.00 per fixture for bathroom lighting
Replacements must result in a wattage reduction that meets Austin Energy requirements
Reflective Roof Coating Building Envelope Improvements- Multifamily
Rebates for reflective roof coating are:
• $0.15 per square foot of roof area. They are only available for existing roofs that do not have reflective
material or reflective coating-must be applied over existing roof to qualify.
Roof Insulation Building Envelope Improvements- Multifamily
Rebates for roof insulation are:
• $0.10 per square foot of roof area for adding R-8 or greater between the roof surface and conditioned
space. The existing roof system must have an overall R-value of R-11 or less to qualify for rebates.
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Solar Film/Screens Window Treatments- Multifamily
Solar shades block sunlight, cut glare, provide privacy, and protect against fading furniture and carpeting. In
some cases, they can reduce the indoor temperature by as much as 20 degrees on a hot day. Solar screen or
solar film rebates range from $1.00 (for double pane glass) to $1.25 (for single pane glass) per square foot, for
all orientations except north.
Window Replacements Window Treatments- Multifamily
Window replacements rebates are offered for qualified Energy Star® Low E glass windows with minimum .27
SHGC. Rebate amount is $2.00 per square foot for all orientations.
Note: Rebates are subject to change without notice.
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