• GROTON, S.D. - The city of Groton is now offering rebates to electric customers for making certain energy efficiency improvements to their home or business. Rebates are available to residential customers for upgrading to Energy Star appliances and to commercial and industrial customers for installing more efficient lighting. Incentives are also available for purchasing a new Energy Star central air conditioner, air-source heat pump or geothermal heat pump.
• Rebates are provided in collaboration with Groton's wholesale power supplier, Heartland Consumers Power District, as part of their energy efficiency program, Power Forward. Heartland pays the incentives to the city each quarter and the city then forwards incentives to their customers. Based on power sales, Groton is allowed up to $5,000 each year. This is a maximum amount the city can get, not a guaranteed amount. Heartland sets budget each year and if the funds run out, the program is terminated for the rest of the year.
• Residential customers who replace an existing refrigerator or freezer with a new Energy Star model in 2014 are eligible for a $100 rebate. Proof of disposal of the old appliance must be provided. Clothes washer and dishwasher replacements are eligible for $50 each.
• "Appliances account for around 13% of a home's monthly energy use," said Heartland Communications Manager Ann Hyland. "The initial purchase price of an Energy Star appliance is typically higher than for a standard appliance but consum

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