Chillers

A chiller is a cooling device that removes heat from one element (e.g., water, glycol, or air) and deposits it into another (e.g., ambient air or water).

According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, a new energy-efficient chiller can easily pay for itself in electricity savings, better reliability, and lower maintenance costs in as little as five years. Today’s chillers use one-third less electricity compared to those produced just two decades ago.

We offer rebates to commercial customers who install new high efficiency chillers on new construction and retrofit projects. The more power and energy you save, the bigger your rebate will be. Contact Austin Energy for a rebate estimate.

Using currently adopted City of Austin Energy Code, we:

• Compare the energy efficiency of your new chiller against a baseline efficiency.
• Estimate the incentive based on efficiency level, unit size, and anticipated kilowatts (kW) and kilowatt-hours (kWh) saved by installing the new chiller.

Many companies install chillers with variable frequency drives to save more money and energy annually.

More Savings Opportunities for Small Businesses

Qualified small businesses, small non-profits, and houses of worship may also be eligible for a 30% bonus rebate on our standard commercial rebates. This bonus rebate applies only to retrofits for a wide range of improvements. 

Call Austin Energy at 512-482-5346 or email Small Business Outreach for more information.

PACE Financing Available

Austin Energy provides various opportunities for our customers to purchase energy efficient technologies. Many of these reduce energy consumption and enhance comfort and indoor air quality for your customers. PACE is an effective financing approach. Travis and Williamson County PACE programs enable owners of non-profit, commercial, and industrial properties to obtain low-cost, long-term financing for water and energy efficiency improvements and solar generation retrofits.  

Private sector lenders finance qualified improvements and property owners voluntarily agree to contractual assessments imposed on the property. PACE improvements generate positive cash flow with no out-of-pocket cost to the property owner. If the property is sold before the full amount is repaid, the repayment obligation automatically transfers to the next owner. PACE assessments complement Austin Energy incentive programs. 

• Learn more about the Texas PACE Authority
• Browse Texas PACE Authority case studies and other resources

Austin Energy offers incentives based on chiller unit size, efficiency, type (air cooled or water cooled), and energy code compliance path (full or part-load). 

Download the Chiller Incentives (pdf) for details

Prerequisites

• For retrofits and equipment replacement, applicants must submit rebate applications prior to installation. For new construction projects, applications must be submitted before the certificate of occupancy is issued. Rebates will not be provided retroactively to equipment or retrofits that have already been installed.
• Rebates are only available for equipment or retrofits that:
  • operate weekdays between 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., June through September (educational facilities and houses of worship are exempt from this requirement);
  • use electricity as its primary or secondary fuel type (please refer to Texas Gas Service for rebates on natural gas equipment);
  • provide kW savings by exceeding requirements for energy efficiency listed in City of Austin Energy Code Chapter 25-12-261 or as determined by Austin Energy;
  • are new, energized, and have a minimum one year warranty (backup or redundant systems are not eligible); and
  • are installed in permanent buildings or structures.
• Commercial rebates are available for Austin Energy customers with commercial electric service. Businesses located on properties with residential electric service should refer to Austin Energy residential rebates.
• The building where the equipment will be installed must comply with the Energy Conservation Audit and Disclosure (ECAD) ordinance (unless exempt or located outside of Austin city limits).
• Multifamily properties applying for commercial rebates (for master-metered properties or work undertaken in common spaces) must meet all Multifamily Program and equipment installation requirements. Properties must not be on not be listed with the City of Austin Code Department’s Repeat Offender Program.

Chiller Requirements

• You application must include the manufacturer's rating based on Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) Standards, including Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) and Integrated Park Load Volume (IPLV). 

Commercial Rebate Program Requirements

• Austin Energy can help customers evaluate energy efficiency opportunities for their business or organization. Please email us for assistance on calculating potential rebates or other technical guidance.
• Applications must qualify to receive at least $25 in rebates.
• The customer or contractor applying for the rebate must:
  • submit all required application information and equipment documentation (incomplete applications are placed on hold and may be cancelled after 90 days); and
  • agree to schedule pre-installation and post-installation site visits to allow Austin Energy staff to verify existing and installed equipment.
• For customers or properties applying for a rebate to upgrade or retrofit the same equipment that received a historical Austin Energy rebate within the past 10 years, the new rebate will be calculated based on the incremental energy savings. For example, if a customer or property received a historical lighting rebate, any new lighting equipment rebates will be calculated using the incremental energy savings between the existing and new equipment. Exemptions from this requirement due to emergency replacement of failed equipment are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
• A 30% bonus rebate is available for eligible: 1) locally owned or franchised small-business customers; 2) small 501(c) non-profit organizations; 3) and houses of worship. Eligibility for large campuses or facilities with multiple accounts held by one customer will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Contact us to determine if you qualify.
  • Eligible small businesses must: 1) be locally owned or franchised (headquartered in the Austin metropolitan area — a W-9 may be required to verify); and 2) use Austin Energy Secondary Voltage Rate 1 (<10kW) or Rate 2 (>10kW <300kW).
  • Eligible non-profits must: 1) provide an IRS determination letter or similar IRS documentation verifying their tax-exempt 501(c) status; and 2) use Austin Energy Secondary Voltage Rate 1 (<10kW) or Rate 2 (>10kW <300kW). Government entities, tax exempt real estate trusts and housing co-ops are not eligible for this bonus.
  • All houses of worship are eligible, regardless of rate.
• Rebates will not be paid unless all installed equipment and retrofits comply with manufacturer requirements and all local, state, and federal regulations, including building code and permitting requirements. For requirements on when electrical permits are required, refer to City of Austin Municipal Code chapter 25-12-113, section 80.19(c). For requirements on when permits are required for mechanical work, refer to City of Austin Municipal code chapter 25-12-133, section 104.2. For more information on mechanical, electrical, and building permits contact the City of Austin Department of Development Services.
• Commercial Program rebates are subject to capping based on the total project cost related to the installation of the rebated equipment or retrofits. The applicant is responsible for reporting total job cost and Austin Energy reserves the right to require a signed, itemized invoice or work order for verification.
  • Standard Commercial Program rebates cannot exceed 50% of total job costs.
  • Rebates cannot exceed 80% of total job costs for locally owned small businesses, non-profits, and houses of worship that receive the 30% bonus.
• By default, the rebate payment is directed to the customer listed on the Austin Energy electric account. The rebate may also be directed to one of the below parties if all requirements are met.
  • A parent corporation or organization of the account holder
  • The building owner, verified using county tax records
  • A tenant at the property, whom must provide a letter signed by the account holder authorizing the rebate to be paid to the tenant
  • A participating contractor or any other 3rd party, whom must: 1) register as a City of Austin vendor; 2) register in Austin Energy's rebate processing system; and 3) provide a letter signed by the account holder authorizing the rebate to be paid to that party
• If a participating contractor plans to submit more than one rebate application on behalf of Austin Energy customers, they are required to: 1) register as a City of Austin vendor; and 2) register in Austin Energy's rebate processing system.
• Austin Energy reserves the right to deny or adjust all rebate applications.
• Participating contractors must comply with all program requirements and conduct business in an honest, professional, and ethical manner. All participating contractors must abide by the Austin Energy Code of Conduct and Ethical Requirements (pdf).