What is the contact information for the program?
DTE Energy’s Your Energy SavingsSM Program
P.O. Box 11289
Detroit, MI 48211
Phone: 1-866-796-0512
Fax: 1-877-607-0744
Website: www.YourEnergySavings.com
E-mail: YourEnergySavings@kema.com
When may I start submitting program applications?
Applications may be completed and submitted any time after January 1, 2010. Please note that some projects require pre-notification to reserve funding. Prior to starting your work, please review the project application and measure specifications to make sure the measures you are planning are covered in the Program.
What types of incentives are available?
The program provides both prescriptive and non-prescriptive incentives including custom and new construction and renovation. Prescriptive incentives are available for a set of defined energy saving equipment and generally are based on a per unit basis. The prescriptive program is designed to simplify the application process for the most common energy saving measures. Custom incentives are based on the amount of estimated annual energy savings and apply to all energy efficiency improvement measures that are not eligible for a prescriptive incentive. If you have questions about how to calculate the energy savings associated with a custom incentive, please contact your DTE Energy Account Manager or the program hotline at 1-866-796-0512.
Will my data be kept confidential?
All customer information provided to the program will be held in confidence.
Is there a program for new construction as well as existing building?
Yes; the C&I New Construction Program provides design assistance and incentives for more efficient new buildings by installing energy-efficient equipment and controls that are not required by building energy codes and are above standard construction practices. Incentives are also available for remodeling projects.
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Eligibility and Participation |
Who can participate in the Commercial and Industrial Your Energy Savings Program?
Any Detroit Edison/MichCon customer on a non-residential rate who contributes to the energy optimization surcharge and has not elected to self direct. Specific details on eligibility can be found in the Terms & Conditions listed on the application forms. We also have programs for residential and multi-family customers. For more information on these incentives visit www.YourEnergySavings.com.
Can I participate if I am a self-direct customer of DTE Energy?
No, Self-direct customers are not eligible to participate in the DTE Energy Your Energy Savings programs as they are not paying the full energy optimization surcharge.
If the electric and/or gas for a facility is purchased through a third party, are measures installed at this facility eligible for incentives?
Yes, as long as energy used by the facility is subject to a DTE Energy gas or electric delivery charge.
How do I sign up for the program?
A program application must be completed and submitted to receive an incentive in this program. Applications can be found on the Program website (www.YourEnergySavings.com).
I have installed energy efficiency measures that are not listed on your website or in any of your documents. Are they still eligible for an incentive?
Energy efficiency measures that are not on the prescriptive list may be eligible for a custom incentive. Various requirements and restrictions apply. Please refer to the application, your DTE Energy Account Manager or call the program hotline at 1-866-796-0512 for assistance.
How do I determine what energy saving measures are right for my facility?
You can contact the list of energy advisors that are familiar with the Your Energy Savings program. The list of energy advisors is available on our website. Contractors that sell and install energy efficiency equipment also may be a useful source for this information.
Can I get an incentive to change from an electric technology to a gas technology or vice versa?
No. Fuel-switching measures are not eligible for an incentive.
Can I receive an incentive for installing on-site generation or a renewable energy system?
On-site generation and renewable energy projects, such as solar water heaters or photovoltaic installations, do not qualify for an incentive under this program. DTE Energy's Solar Currents program can provide you more information on incentives available for renewables.
Is my city included in the DTE Energy service territory?
DTE Energy serves customers throughout Michigan. If you have questions about DTE Energy’s service area, please reference the service territory maps at www.dteenergy.com by using the search feature (enter “service territory”). There are some customers who are served by DTE Energy for just electricity or just gas and served by another utility for the other energy commodity. The Your Energy Savings program will only pay incentives for measures that save energy served by DTE Energy.
Do I qualify for incentives if my facility is served by DTE Energy for either gas or electricity and I am served by another Utility for the other energy commodity?
Yes, the DTE Energy Your Energy Savings program will only pay incentives for measures that save energy served by DTE Energy (Detroit Edison and/or MichCon). All utilities in Michigan offer similar programs so check with them for more information. If a prescriptive measure saves both gas and electricity such as a programmable thermostat, you cannot apply for an incentive for the same prescriptive measure from both utilities. You may however, apply to two different utilities based on the savings for the commodity they serve.
What if I submit a Pre-notification Application and my final project is changed?
Once your Pre-notification Application has been approved, funds will be reserved for 90 days. The program team will review your Final Application to determine the appropriate incentive amount. If your incentive amount is greater than the reserved amount, the team will determine if there are funds available to pay the additional incentive. There is no guarantee that funds will be available for incentives above the reserved amount. A reservation does not guarantee payment.
Who may submit applications?
The final application must be signed by a representative of the firm or organization that purchased the qualifying energy efficiency measures. However, any party such as the contractor or a consultant may fill out the application and submit to the program. The measures must be installed at a business facility served by DTE Energy.
Why do I need to provide my Tax Payer ID Number and Tax Status?
The incentive paid through this program may be considered taxable income. The program is required to report the incentive using the IRS Form 1099 if it is more than $600 for certain types of firms. DTE Energy is not responsible for any taxes that may be imposed on your business as a result of your receipt of an incentive.
What is the advantage of submitting a Pre-notification Application?
The pre-notification step allows us to reserve program funds for your project for up to 90 days. Pre-notification is strongly encouraged for all projects. It is required for all custom incentive projects. Applicants are encouraged to read the application form carefully to determine if pre-notification is required. We cannot guarantee funding for projects that skip the pre-notification process. Reserved funds are not transferable to other projects and/or customers.
What documentation is required for Final Applications, once my project has been completed?
The Final Application must include project documentation:
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Properly completed and signed final application form
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Copies of dated invoices for the purchase and installation of the measures
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Product specification sheets
The project invoice should provide sufficient detail to separate the project cost from the cost of other services such as repairs and building code compliance, as well as show the location where the measures were installed. DTE Energy reserves the right to request additional supporting documentation as deemed necessary to ensure measure eligibility and verify the expected energy savings will occur. Requested information could include: equipment purchase dates, description of the pre-existing equipment, installation dates, proof that the equipment is operational, manufacturer specifications, warranty information, and proof of customer co-payment. Applicants are encouraged to call the program hotline if they have any questions about documentation requirements. All customer information will be held in confidence.
How will I know the status of my application?
An email notification will be sent upon receipt of your application. A reservation letter will be sent once the application is successfully reviewed and funds are reserved. Contact the program hotline at 1-866-796-0512 for information on your application status. Please also contact the program hotline if your project plans change after submitting your Pre-notification Application.
What is the application processing time frame?
The review of a Pre-notification Application generally takes two to four weeks to assess the pre-existing equipment and establish a reservation. The review of the Final Application also takes approximately four to six weeks. These general review times assume that a fully completed, accurate application is submitted with the required documentation. Inaccurate applications or insufficient documentation can increase the review time. Incentive checks are generally paid within four weeks after review and approval of the final application but could take as long as six weeks in some situations.
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About Trade Allies and Contractors |
Is there a list of available contractors?
The program does not recommend, qualify, or otherwise approve contractors for participation. A list of contractors who provide energy efficiency equipment or services can be found at www.YourEnergySavings.com. If you are a contractor that would like to attend a program overview seminar, please contact the program hotline at 1-866-796-0512.
Am I required to use a contractor for improvements at my facility?
No. Many customers choose to install the measures with in-house staff. In this situation, the vendor that sells the equipment to you should be listed as the contractor on the application form. Please note that for self-installed equipment, internal labor costs are not considered when determining the project costs.
Do I need to select a vendor or contractor before submitting a pre-notification application?
No, but because of the 90 day reservation window, we strongly recommend that you have a contractor/vendor selected before you submit your application. We will not accept multiple Pre-notification Applications from more than one contractor for the same project.
Can I have the incentive check sent directly to my contractor?
The applicant may have the incentive sent directly to the contractor or other third party by filling out and signing the payment release section of the Final Application form.
Is there a maximum amount of money that I can receive?
Yes, the incentive amount paid for custom projects cannot exceed 50% of the total project cost for purchasing and installing the energy efficiency measures. Electricity customers of Detroit Edison may receive up to $150,000 per site per program year for both prescriptive and custom projects; the total customer cap (across all facilities of a Detroit Edison Customer) is $500,000 per program year. Gas customers of MichCon may receive up to $25,000 per site per program year for both prescriptive and custom projects; the total customer cap (across all facilities of a MichCon Customer) is $100,000 per program year.
How is a customer defined for the purpose of determining the incentive caps?
A customer is typically defined by a unique taxpayer ID although some exceptions may apply for very large organizations that have separate decision making and approval groups. Please contact your DTE Energy Account Manager or the program hotline at 1-866-796-0512 for additional clarification.
If my retrofit involves a prescriptive measure, do I have a choice as to whether to apply for prescriptive or custom incentives?
The applicant does not have a choice regarding the type of incentive. Measures that qualify for prescriptive incentives are not eligible for a custom incentive. However, the program team may decide to apply the custom incentive to an entire project when the interaction of the installed prescriptive and custom measures makes it difficult to determine the savings for just the custom measures.
Are the reserved funds resulting from a Pre-notification a guarantee of payment of incentives at the reserved amount?
No, a reservation is not a guarantee that you are entitled to a specific amount. The actual payment will be based upon our review of your Final Application and supporting documentation, and may be subject to a site inspection. Many terms and conditions can only be validated based upon the Final Application, such as the model number of equipment installed and the project cost. The payment amounts will be based on the information provided in your Final Application and may be verified via an inspection.
Once I receive my incentive do I have any further program obligations?
DTE Energy reserves the right to perform measurement and verifications activities for a period of five years after the measures were installed.
Is there any way that I can receive an extension on my fund reservation over the 90-day reservation period?
Extensions are granted on a case-by-case basis. If your delivery of ordered equipment exceeds the reservation period, we may provide an extension. Please contact the program hotline at 1-866-796-0512 for specific questions regarding funding reservations.
Will the incentives be paid up front?
No, incentives will be paid only after the project has been completed and the final application has been submitted, reviewed, and approved.
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