Residential
Energy Smart Rebates
Customers can receive money-back rebates when you purchase qualified high-efficiency products. Not only do you save on your purchase, you save on your electric bill, too!
Rebates range from $4 to $300 per item.
Rebate products include:
- ENERGY STAR® refrigerators, freezers, electric clothes dryers, room air conditioners, dehumidifiers and air purifiers
- ENERGY STAR® televisions, monitors, and computers
- Qualified central air conditioning units and heat pumps
- Programmable thermostats and intelligent surge protectors
- And more!
Download the Energy Smart Residential Application
Download the Energy Smart Residential Short Form Application
Appliance Recycling Program
Lowell Light & Power will pay you for your old inefficient appliances, and we’ll come pick them up for FREE! Old appliances use more energy than current models and are more likely to contain dangerous refrigerants that can be harmful to the atmosphere if they were to leak.
Rebates range from $15 to $50 for refrigerators, freezers, window air conditioners, dehumidifiers and mini refrigerators.
Program conditions/requirements:
- Appliances must be in working condition
- Participants must be Lowell Light & Power customers
- Limit of two (2) large and two (2) small appliances per customer per year
- Large appliances are eligible for free pickup on the third Tuesday of each month. Small appliances may be dropped off at the LL&P office (please call ahead) or can be picked up at the same time as large appliances
- All appliances must be placed outside or in an accessible location (like the garage) for your scheduled pick up time
Schedule a FREE pick-up appointment:
Call 616-421-2514 or email [email protected]
Income Qualified Assistance Programs
While all the above programs are available to any residential customer, we also offer additional support for income-qualified customers. Questions? Please email [email protected] or call 616-421-2514.
Energy Saving Kit
Income qualified customers can obtain a FREE Energy Saving Kit from our office. Call the office or stop in to see if you qualify. Customers may also obtain a voucher for a FREE Energy Saving Kit from Flat River Outreach Ministries.
Personalized Energy Assistance
We are here to help answer questions and concerns about your energy bill. Our helpful office staff can look at your energy usage and advise on good energy use practices for your home. If needed, we will visit a customer’s home to evaluate potential areas of saving energy.
For a Certified Home Energy Audit and Weatherization Assistance, please contact the Kent County Community Action Home Weatherization Program at 616-632-7950 ext. 3203.
Download the Weatherization Program Flyer
Programs Provided by Community Partners
The following area agencies can provide additional assistance for qualified households.
Flat River Outreach Ministries
(616) 897-8260 ext. 125
https://fromlowell.org/
Programs Eligibility: 300% or less of Federal Poverty Rate
- Repair & Restore – Home repair & weatherization assistance for homeowners
- Energy bill assistance
Kent County Community Action Agency
(616) 632-7950
https://www.accesskent.com/Departments/CommunityAction/
Program Eligibility: varies by program
- Home Weatherization Program (WAP)
- Michigan Energy Assistance Program (MEAP)
- COVID Emergency Rental Assistance (CERA)
Commercial & Industrial
Energy Smart Rebates
Commercial and Industrial (C&I) customers can take advantage of many rebates available for remodeling and new construction projects.
Prescriptive Program
The C&I Prescriptive Program provides incentives when inefficient equipment is replaced with specified high-efficiency electric technologies, including:
- Interior and Exterior Lighting
- Controls
- Compressed Air
- Mechanical
- Commercial Kitchen/Retail
Custom Program
The C&I Custom Program provides incentives to business customers who want to make improvements outside of the parameters of the Prescriptive Program.
Lowell Light & Power C&I customers may receive a maximum of $10,000 in incentives per year. Please see the Energy Smart C&I Application for further details.
Click the images below to learn more about Energy Smart and Energy Star programs.
Do-It-Yourself Home Energy Assessment
Energy.gov shares great information about how to conduct your own home energy assessment, and when it’s best to consult a professional.
Primary areas of energy loss to evaluate in your home:
- Air leaks
- Ventilation
- Insulation levels
- Heating and cooling equipment
- Lighting
- Appliances and electronics
Saving Energy when Cooling Your Home
- Clean / change the furnace filter regularly. Dusty filters increase the amount of energy used to cool the home.
- Close registers and doors in areas that do not need to be cooled.
- Cook meals, do laundry, and run the dishwasher earlier or later, when outdoor temperatures are lower.
- Make meals in smaller appliances, like slow cookers or toaster ovens. If you must use the oven, only pre-heat it if the recipe calls for it.
- Use a programmable thermostat and cool your home shortly before you get home. In the Summer, set the temperature to 78 degrees, or higher, while you’re away.
- Install attic and ceiling fans, which cost less to run than your AC.
- Buy an air conditioner with a high energy efficiency rating (EER). It’s printed on the EnergyGuide label attached to the unit.
- Make sure your central air conditioning system is the right size for the area you want to cool.
- If you have central air, keep the unit clean of leaves and debris. To save energy, make sure leaves aren’t too close to the compressor, blocking airflow.
- Install your air conditioner in the shade. Units installed in direct sunlight use more energy.
Saving Energy when Heating Your Home
- Clean / replace the furnace filter often during the heating season. Furnaces use less energy if they “breathe” more easily. Follow instructions in the furnace manufacturer’s manual.
- Keep furniture, carpeting and curtains from blocking heat registers and air return ducts.
- Close your attic, basement, garage and exterior doors to prevent cold drafts and keep in heat.
- Ceiling fans set at slow speed push warm air away from the ceiling and move it around the room without creating a chilling breeze. This spreads the heat more evenly and will make you feel more comfortable.
- When replacing your furnace, look for one that’s at least 95 percent efficient. If you need to replace your HVAC system, ask your contractor about ENERGY STAR certified units. And make sure that your new energy efficient unit is properly installed for maximum savings.
Understanding kWh (kilowatt hour)
- One kilowatt equals 1,000 watts
- The cost of using a 100 watt bulb for 10 hours equals 1 kWh
Our average cost per kWh for the average residential customer is 12¢. To calculate the average cost of electricity, use the example below:
To operate a 40 watt bulb for 24 hours
40 watt bulb x 24 hours = 960 watts
960 watts = .96 kWh
.96 kWh x 12¢ = 11.52¢
Estimating the monthly cost of electric appliances
- Determine the wattage used by the appliance and estimate the number of hours used per month. Wattage information can usually be found on the back or bottom of the appliance.
- Use the following formula inserting 12¢ for your electric rate and 30 for the number of days in a month.
Wattage x hours used per day x 30 days x rate = estimated cost
Examples of wattage
| 16 cubic ft refrigerator | 725 watts |
| coffee maker | 900-1200 watts |
| dishwasher | 1200-1400 watts |
| microwave | 750-1100 watts |
| clothes washer | 350-500 watts |
| clothes dryer | 1800-5000 watts |
| dehumidifier | 785 watts |