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HomE program offers rebates for existing homes.... read more
 
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MJM Electric cooperative offers refrigerator and freezer recycling program MJM Electric cooperative offers refrigerator and freezer recycling program
HomE program offers rebates for existing homes
In order to qualify, you must first contact MJM and set up an appointment for an assessment. There is a $25 fee for this service. Upon completion of the assessment, we will provide you with a list of suggested improvements. You will then have 60 days to complete any or all of those improvements, which may qualify for a rebate. Equipment installed before an assessment is conducted is not eligible for these rebates. You must first have an assessment conducted. Rebates are as follows. Geothermal heat pump with a COP of 3.3 or higher: $1,500 The maximum rebate per household is $1,500. Only one heating/cooling system may be claimed. You cannot claim, for example, a gas furnace and a central air conditioner.
Eight high school juniors accepted an invitation from MJM Electric Cooperative to attend Youth Day in Springfield, Ill., on April 21. The Carlinville-based electric cooperative joins electric and telephone cooperatives from across the state each year in sponsoring the educational trip to the state capital. "We had a great turnout this year," member services director Bronson Borowiak said. "We were also able to meet with legislators and view a large protest at the capitol." Attending were Kord Lewey and Katie Wallace of Hillsboro, Austin Bierman and Hannah Carpetner of Carlinville, Devin Dellamano and Maya Lewis of Bunker Hill, and Kathryn Trettenero and Cecily Haase of Staunton. The group visited the new and old state capitol buildings and were able to meet with Sen. Deanna Demuzio, Rep. Betsy Hannig, and Rep. Jim Watson. During lunch, they participated in a question and answer session with state treasurer Alexi Giannoulias. The group was impressed by the treasurer's frankness. "He didn't skirt any questions," Cecily Haase said. Among those questions was the issue of school funding being cut. Giannoulias said he did not support the cuts but that the state has been spending more money than it takes in for too long and that the budget must be balanced. Approximately 200 interested groups comprising around 15,000 people arrived at the capitol to protest the budget cuts, asking for an increase in taxes instead. Students saw protesters arriving at the capitol and gathering in the streets. At the end of the day, the students were interviewed by the Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives for a chance to attend Youth Tour. This is a week-long educational trip to Washington, D.C. sponsored by electric cooperatives from across the country. Each year, MJM sponsors two students to attend the event. Katie Wallace and Cecily Haase were selected to represent MJM at Youth Tour this year. Wallace is the daughter of Rusty and Crystal Wallace of Litchfield. Haase is the daughter of Rick and Jane Haase of Staunton.
Residential members of MJM Electric Cooprativewho have an electric water heater qualify for a $50 rebate on the purchase of an Energy Star clothes washer. "This is part of an energy efficiency program we're promoting with our power supplier," member services director Bronson Borowiak said. "In order to receive a rebate, all you need to do is send in a completed application and a copy of your receipt." Application forms are available here. They can also be picked up at MJM's office in Carlinville at 264 North East Street. MJM and its power supplier, Wabash Valley Power Association of Indianapolis, are also offering rebates to members who are upgrading an existing electric heating system with an air source or geothermal heat pump. Area schools eligible for $500 grantSchools in Macoupin, Jersey, and Montgomery counties are eligible for a $500 grant towards educating classrooms on the science of energy or electricity. The grants are available through MJM Electric Cooperative and its membership with the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. Electric heat users qualify for money back on heat pump purchases
Members can receive $125 per ton for installing a qualifying air source heat pump and $150 per ton for installing a geothermal heat pump. A ton is equal to 12,000 British Thermal Units and is a measurement of a units conditioning capability. Air source heat pumps must have a minimum rating of 15 SEER and 8 HSPF. The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) measures cooling efficiency and the Heat Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF) measures heating efficiency. Closed-loop geothermal units (the most common type) must have a Coefficient of Performance (COP) of 3.3 and an Energy Efficiency Ration (EER) of 14.1. Open-loop geothermal units (those using a lake, well, or other outside water source) must have a COP of 3.6 and an EER of 16.2. "Most new units will meet these requirements," MJM member services director Bronson Borowiak says, "but if you're considering one of these systems you should ask your contractor to confirm its efficiency ratings." These rebates are only open to systems installed March 15 through November 15 of 2010. You will need to ask your contractor for a copy of the receipt, AHRI certification, and heat loss/heat gain calculation. These need to be submitted to MJM, along with an application that can be obtained here. This rebate is available only to members who have an existing electric heat system. New homes and homes replacing natural gas, propane, wood or other heat do not qualify. The systems must also be fully electric. Heat pumps with a gas or propane source of auxiliary heat do not qualify. Those members do still qualify for MJM's existing rebate program, however, which is $115 per ton for air source heat pumps and $175 per ton for geothermal units. Grants available to businesses making energy efficiency improvementsCommercial and Industrial accounts served by MJM Electric Cooperative are eligible to apply for a grant that, if awarded, could cover up to 50 percent of the cost of energy efficiency projects that would not otherwise be completed. State rebates available on water heaters, furnaces and moreIf you're in the market for a new water heater, furnace, or central air conditioner you could receive a rebate from the State of Illinois. Macoupin County students learn electric safety
Kyle Finley of Live Line Demo, Inc. presented an entertaining and informative visual display to fourth grade students from Carlinville, Staunton, Girard, Benld, Virden, and Mt. Olive. Finley spoke about a variety of safety issues, but focused on staying away from power lines. He told the students that a line with electricity running through it doesn't look, sound, or smell or any different than a line without electricity. Since you can't tell if electricity is running through a line, you must always assume that the line is energized and dangerous, especially when it is hanging down.
The presentations were sponsored by MJM Electric Cooperative of Carlinville, Rural Electric Convenience Cooperative of Auburn, Ameren IP, and the University of Illinois Extension Office. Local linemen compete in safety rodeo
Linemen representing MJM Electric were Jeb Thackrey of Gillespie, Doug Egelhoff of Shipman, and Jared Stanton of Shipman. This is the fourth year that MJM has participated in the rodeo. : MJM Electric members can rent energy efficiency DVDs from local librariesMembers of MJM Electric Cooperative now have access to two energy efficiency DVDs that explain how to build a new home, and retrofit an existing home, in order to make efficient use of its heating and cooling system.
When you visit the website for Our Energy Our Future you will be asked to fill out a simple form. You can then click on a link to generate a letter addressed to your legislators on your behalf. You do not have to be a member of MJM Electric in order to utilize this site. All you need is a concern for the future and the willingness to begin a conversation with your elected officials. The first step for us to find a solution to rising energy costs is to start a dialogue.
The poles were marked for replacement last summer by Lee Inspection and Consulting of Joplin, Mo. The company tested around 1,000 poles in the area and were scheduled to test poles near Carlinville and Jerseyville as well. New poles are first placed into the ground. Linemen then transfer wiring and equipment from the old poles to the new and dispose of the old poles.
If you've been holding off on that new insulation or water heater for your home, you may want to consider making the purchase in the next two years to take advantage of increased tax credits available for energy efficiency purchases made in 2009 and 2010. These credits were previously for 10 percent of the total cost but were increased significantly by the $787 billion stimulus package passed in February. Newly purchased water heaters, heating systems, air conditioning, exterior doors, windows, insulation, and roofs are eligible for a tax credit of 30 percent of the total cost up to $1,500. Geothermal, solar, and wind systems do not have a cap and are available for systems installed from 2009-2016. For more information visit Energy Star. This video explains the credits available.
MJM Electric Cooperative members can now drop off used compact fluorescent lights for recycling at the cooperative’s office, located at 264 N. East Street in Carlinville, Illinois. CFLs use four times less energy than standard incandescent light bulbs to produce the same amount of light. This saves electricity, which reduces your bill and reduces the amount of emissions from power plants since less power is needed for the energy-efficient CFLs. You can help reduce those emissions even more by recycling used CFLs. Drop any used lights off at our front desk. We’ll package them and ship them to a recycling facility in Wisconsin operated by world-renowned recycling leader Veolia. Please note that we are accepting CFLs only. No long fluorescent tubes, the type commonly seen in offices, will be accepted. |
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Home owners looking to upgrade the existing heating and cooling system of their primary residence may qualify for rebates under the HomE (pronounced "Home E") program. This program is funded by the federal government and by Illinois electric cooperatives.
Residential members replacing an existing electric heating system with a more efficient air source or geothermal heat pump qualify for a new rebate program through MJM Electric's power supplier, Wabash Valley Power Association of Indianapolis.
MJM Electric Cooperative is taking part in a national campaign to ensure the cost of energy remains affordable in the future. We are asking our members to contact their legislators in Washington, D.C., and voice their concerns on rising cost of energy.
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