NIPSCO offers rebates for energy efficient appliances

by Kelli Cheatham (kcheatham@wsbt.com)

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NIPSCO customers are being urged to buy energy efficient thermostats, water heaters and furnaces. (WSBT file photo)

By WSBT News1

Story Created: Jan 31, 2008 at 5:44 AM EDT

Story Updated: Jan 31, 2008 at 8:59 AM EDT

SOUTH BEND — It seems like more people are deciding to go green with environmentally friendly lifestyles. Now there's a way for NIPSCO customers to save money and help the environment.

The new rebate program is for customers who take steps to make some of the appliances in their homes more energy efficient. The program is called EnergyHarvest. It's one of NIPSCO's three new customer cost savings and energy conservation initiatives.

"Installing something like a programmable thermostat really helps out because there are times we all forget with a manual thermostat," explained NIPSCO representative Mike Charbonneau. "If you have that setback while you're away from home, it can really dramatically cut down on your natural gas costs because you're using less energy throughout the course of the day."

For energy efficient thermostats, NIPSCO is giving customers a $20 rebate. Water heaters can bring you a $50 rebate, and installing an energy efficient furnace is a $250 rebate.

For your appliances to qualify, the item must have been bought after January 1, 2008.

For more information and to see how to qualify, visit NIPSCO's website.

Monday, Mar 17 at 2:23 PM Fred wrote ...

I also had a new energy efficient furnace put in Nov 07 and programble themo TOO LATE no rebate, I'm begining to wonder if Mitch Daniels and George Bush own NIPSCO

Monday, Mar 17 at 9:31 AM Mom to 3 dachshunds wrote ...

Interesting to note they have no trouble sending out notices for bills, but cannot seem to regularly read the meter. It is RFID - anyone w/Nipsco can drive by and scan and go. No excuses for Dogs, etc. So why the lousy service and then make us pay a surcharge to "give a rebate"?? What is up with this? Way to go NIPSCO, if I had an alternative way to heat my home, I sure would give it a go and say bye bye to you. The Amish way of living is becoming more appealing!

Friday, Feb 1 at 8:39 AM billings wrote ...

what a bunch of whining...NIPSCO should should just give everyone discounts and everyone rebates? Gosh, yes, and the government should pay for my health care, and perhaps someone should give me a free car. And please come over and stock my fridge. and I'd like a $200k job where I don't have to work very hard. and a pony.

Thursday, Jan 31 at 10:52 PM Kathy wrote ...

Of course they want to only read the meter every so often that way they can over charge and use your money for interest. They are paid for banking your money.

Thursday, Jan 31 at 10:09 PM Barb wrote ...

I also had a furnace installed in October 2007 and it is a 94% eff... Makes me sick that NIPSCO will not honor us as well with the rebate, but it doesnt surprise me...

Thursday, Jan 31 at 8:48 PM pppppppppppoff wrote ...

Why did I pay 53.00 last mo for gas and 340.00 last mo.From Dec, 14 to Jan 14 th.

Thursday, Jan 31 at 6:55 PM Carol wrote ...

We put in a new 95% efficient gas furnace in October which we are still paying for. Our gas bill jumped over $100 last month even thoiugh we locked our gas rate in last May. Living on social security this really doesn't help. And now you say you are only giving a rebate if you purchase the furnace after Jan 1, 2008. Somebody at NIPSCO is real smart. No one puts a new furnace in in January when it is cold out unless it is a real emergency!

Thursday, Jan 31 at 6:23 PM Paula wrote ...

I agree with pam. We just put a new furnance and central air and digital thermastat in oct. of 2007.

Thursday, Jan 31 at 5:55 PM Trebor wrote ...

Your bill should have an E on it if it has been estimated. The budget plan is the way to go. Nipsco is a friendly to us as a bankster, oops I mean banker.

Thursday, Jan 31 at 5:27 PM kelly wrote ...

I also think Nipsco should give rebates to people who have had new energy efficient furnaces put in within the past year. I just had one installed at the end of Dec. 2007. It cost me a fortune, and now I can't even reap any of the benefits, just because i'm 1 month to early? WHAT A CROCK!!!!!

Thursday, Jan 31 at 5:03 PM Good old Larry wrote ...

Rebate? Just face reality, NIPSCO is ripping off everybody who has it. Just lower the greedy rates and let us live with heat!!

Thursday, Jan 31 at 4:07 PM Anonymous wrote ...

I had AEP put a RF meter on my house. The reader just walks by, and my meter send him the info. Nipsco will do this, why not, seems to it it would be cheaper, and safer for the readers.

Thursday, Jan 31 at 1:51 PM bill wrote ...

I have noticed that nobody with NIPSCO has written in to defend themselves on why they do not read meters on a regular basis or why they are taking from one customer and giving to another. Something does not sound quite right here!

Thursday, Jan 31 at 12:33 PM Elkhart wrote ...

NIPSCO should give a bigger discount TO EVERYONE NOT ONLY FOR BUYING new applicances. what about us homeowners that can't afford to upgrade?????????

Thursday, Jan 31 at 12:14 PM sherry wrote ...

We put in new energy furnace in 2006 why should I have to pay a surcharge to pay for people that are now putting in new furnace?

Thursday, Jan 31 at 10:36 AM bill wrote ...

yes as ryan wrote we can read our own meters and call it in---but as much as we are paying them for our gas don't you think they should make it a point to get out to peoples homes and do their own work instead of us doing it for them!!!!

Thursday, Jan 31 at 10:15 AM pam wrote ...

I think they should extend this rebate to at least 2007. We had just put in a new furnance and air conditioner and digital thermastat to make our home more effiecent. We did this just a couple months ago.

Thursday, Jan 31 at 9:03 AM GARRY wrote ...

I could not agree more Jim. I got the notice as well and at first glance I thought that it was a nice gesture from NIPSCO then I read the small print that said that they were using a surcharge to fund the program. REAL NICE! THEY HAVE ALSO NOT READ MY METER IN 2 MONTHS!

Thursday, Jan 31 at 8:48 AM D wrote ...

Nipsco you crook!

Thursday, Jan 31 at 8:15 AM Angie wrote ...

Nice, we bought all of our energey efficient appliances last year. They should give rebates to those customers who have installed such appliances in the last year! Jerks!

Thursday, Jan 31 at 8:14 AM Ryan wrote ...

Jim, I TOTALLY agree. I had a 92% eff. furnace installed last feb., up from about a 50% eff furnace, and my gas bills are higher now even though the thermostat is set at 69. My wife noticed on the bill that they "estimated" for the last couple of months, but you can call in your own meter reading if you want. What a crock of ****. Rich get richer, poor get poorer.

Thursday, Jan 31 at 6:47 AM JIM wrote ...

NIPSCO put's in a surcharge to pay for this program. maybe NIPSCO should let us spend our own money then giving it away to others.

Thursday, Jan 31 at 6:23 AM bill wrote ...

Just one question? How come NIPSCO can get by with just reading my gas meter once in the past 4 months? I have a new furnace and I know they are over estimating!

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