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LINCOLN - Lincoln Electric System's (LES) Sustainable Energy Program, the popular energy-efficiency program that last year saw 12 months of funds gone in four months, launched today (2/1) offering customers incentives in six areas of energy efficiency and makes it easier to apply for funds, said Consumer Services Vice President J. Todd Hall.

The program has $1 million in funds available on a first-come, first-served basis to residential customers who install insulation and heat pumps or air conditioners, and to commercial and industrial customers for retrofitting efficient lighting and taking other energy-saving measures, he said.

To take advantage of the program, Hall said customers should contact contractors participating in the LES program, which will be listed on www.les.com starting Feb. 1. Contractors will provide an immediate credit, called an LES Green Credit, when eligible equipment is purchased. LES customers with accounts in good standing are eligible for an incentive, he said.

"The reception last year for our program was very positive and funds were claimed very quickly," Hall said. "Since it's easier this year to apply an LES Green Credit to a purchase, we expect demand for funds could be even greater."

He added the 2010 program is focused on fewer technologies this year that will have a longer term and higher impact on energy conservation.

The program offers the following incentives:

Whole-House Sealing and Insulation - Residential customers in existing homes with no wall insulation and minimal attic insulation can qualify for up to 50 percent of the project cost up to $1,000 to seal penetrations and upgrade insulation to current code standards. Customers may also qualify for a federal tax credit.

High-Efficiency Heat Pump and Central Air Conditioning - Residential and small- to mid-sized commercial customers are eligible for incentive payments when replacing existing cooling systems. Heat pumps with a SEER rating of 15-16.99 qualify for a $150 per ton credit and $500 per ton for a SEER rating of 17 or higher. Air conditioners with a SEER rating of 17.00 or higher qualify for a $250 per ton credit. Replacement projects are limited to 50 tons. Customers may also qualify for a federal tax credit.

Commercial and Industrial Lighting Retrofit - Incentive payments of up to $75 per fixture are available for customers reducing energy consumption and costs associated with lighting.

Commercial and Industrial Energy Efficiency - Large commercial and industrial customers can receive incentives for achieving energy and peak demand savings through one or more of the following demand-shifting or energy-efficiency measures: air conditioning/chiller replacement, efficient motors retrofit, variable frequency drives retrofit, compressed air systems audit and upgrade, energy management system installation or upgrade and systems commissioning. A custom program is also available for consideration of other peak demand and energy-efficiency measures.

Commercial and Industrial Energy-Efficiency Innovation Grants - One or more grants will be awarded to business customers for project design assistance and/or developing and implementing innovative measures to improve energy-intensive processes. Awards will be based on forecast peak demand reduction, degree of project innovation, transferability to other businesses and overall value of return on investment.

In addition, Hall said LES will use $50,000 to partner with elementary schools to engage students in energy efficiency. Teachers and students will receive a comprehensive energy-efficiency curriculum and materials, including individual energy-efficiency kits. Funding for this effort will be provided in part by the Nebraska Energy Office, he said.

Contact information for contractors participating in LES' Sustainable Energy Program is located on LES' Web site at www.les.com.

"For more than 20 years, LES rates have been among the lowest in the nation," Hall said. "The Sustainable Energy Program is designed to help keep them that way."