Posted by Ann Rascalli

According to the Governor’s Energy Office, more than 36,000 homeowners and businesses have “reserved” a rebate through the GEO website or call center to take advantage of energy efficiency savings through Recharge Colorado.

Of those, more than 10,000 have then followed through and submitted the necessary paperwork to get their rebate. A total exceeding $11 million worth of rebates have been snapped up by Colorado consumers and businesses for for energy-efficient appliances and home improvements since the “Recharge Colorado” program began – impressive numbers considering it was launched a little less than four months ago.

The process has worked relatively smoothly, outside of the first few hours when the high volume of visitors overloaded the GEO website, causing a few technical glitches, and while some rebate categories have been depleted such as dishwashers and solar hot-water systems, plenty of other opportunities are still available. These include more than 38,000 rebates for several energy-saving steps such as insulation, duct sealing, energy audits and residential wind systems.

“We’re very pleased with the way the public has responded to our rebate program,” Todd Hartman of the GEO told Colorado Energy News. “We’ve seen a great deal of interest and enthusiasm from people who want to take steps large and small to reduce their energy use and lower their utility bills. “I would also stress that there are many rebates still available, and even in cases where we’ve hit our reservation limit, we encourage people to apply as some of those who reserve a rebate do not follow through to obtain it. That frees up rebate dollars for others who are interested,” Hartman points out.

The $18 million Recharge Colorado program is part of $300 million in federal economic-stimulus funding.

“So even for items that are ‘waitlisted’ such as appliances, people still stand a very good chance of obtaining a rebate if they follow through with the process,” adds Hartman.

For those interested in applying for a rebate, just call or go online to obtain a “reservation” for 10 to 30 days — depending on the type of rebate — to buy an appliance or contract for work. The GEO files your application with the state for the rebate.

Of the more than 26,000 reservations to date, 10,552 claims worth $4.8 million have been processed, according to state data. Residents of 59 of Colorado’s 64 counties have participated in the program. Jefferson County homeowners received the most rebate money by the end of June — $200,500, or about as much money as Boulder and Denver counties combined. Colorado Springs Utilities combined its own rebates with the state’s to boost its program, said Gabriel Romero, a spokesman for the utility. El Paso County had the second-highest payout, $117,000.

The program is the first to offer rebates statewide, as well as the first to offer incentives for solar water heaters.