Better Home Program
Rebates up to $10,000 for builders of certified energy-efficient single-family homes served entirely by Cedar Falls Utilities.
Diese Finanzierungsmöglichkeit ist derzeit auf Englisch beschrieben.
Build a new single-family home with a certifying rater who helps your builder meet the chosen energy-efficiency certification. The rebate is $2,500 for ENERGY STAR, $5,000 for DOE Efficient New Homes, or $10,000 for Phius Passive House. DOE certification requires ENERGY STAR certification; Phius requires both ENERGY STAR and DOE certification. Submit proof of certification to CFU. Only the highest certification tier achieved is paid, so the three rebates cannot be added together.
CFU pays the new building permit holder/general contractor, by cheque or utility bill credit. The rebate cannot exceed 60% of the equipment and labour costs necessary for installation. Rebates are first come, first served; CFU may change or end the programme without notice. Neither preapproval nor submitting an application guarantees payment.
Eligibility
- The project must be residential single-family new construction receiving 100% of its energy, water and communications from CFU. It must pass all required permit inspections and meet every programme criterion. Notify CFU Energy Services before the Cedar Falls Building Inspections Department foundation inspection.
- You must provide independent certification documentation. CFU can direct you to a local certifying rater to work with your builder; for DOE certification, recognised raters are under the Building Science Institute (BSI) or Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET).
- Install Wi-Fi-connected thermostats capable of demand response, allowing participation in energy-demand management. Ducted systems must have an air filter at least five inches.
- Provide a garage outlet or junction box ready for electric-vehicle charging: at least 240 volts and 30 amps, with an active dedicated ground-fault-protected (GFCI) breaker, conduit and compliant wire sizing. Label it for EV charging in the electrical panel directory.
- Install electrical nonmetallic tubing (ENT) at least three-quarters of an inch from the outside electricity meter to the inside electrical service panel. Each room except kitchens, bathrooms, storage rooms and closets must have at least one CAT-6A Ethernet connection.
- All equipment must be new; used or rebuilt equipment is ineligible. Remove existing equipment and do not resell it. Meet applicable federal, state and local codes, standards and regulatory requirements. You must be a CFU customer for the primary energy source saved.
CFU may inspect the installation, conduct tests, request a customer survey or meter equipment at no customer cost for up to 12 months after installation. Required inspections must pass before payment. CFU may publicise your participation unless you opt out in writing, and may share application information with state agencies or departments.
Signing the form means accepting responsibility to defend CFU and cover claims, damages, costs and expenses, including reasonable legal fees, arising from removal, disposal, installation or operation of programme equipment or materials; it also releases CFU from those claims.
How to apply
- Status
- endet am 31. Jan. 2027
- Antragsschluss
- Beschränkungen dieser Antragsrunde
- For projects completed in 2026; notify CFU before the foundation inspection. Submit the rebate claim by 31 January 2027.[^c5][^c8][^c9]
- First come, first served; CFU may change or end the programme without notice. Approval and payment are not guaranteed.[^c7]
Contact CFU Energy Services at 319-266-1761 or energyservices@cfunet.net when planning the home, before the foundation inspection. CFU can connect you with a certifying rater to work with your builder.
Use the signed 2026 single-family application for a project completed in 2026 and submit the certification proof. Email the application to energyservices@cfunet.net or post it to 1 Utility Parkway, PO Box 769, Cedar Falls, IA 50613. Submit by 31 January 2027. CFU evaluates applications using the rules posted on its website on the date it receives them; projects use the rebate programme for their completion year.
Allow two to eight weeks for review and payment of an approved rebate. Incomplete applications may be delayed or rejected. CFU may require equipment-by-equipment itemised invoices and verify invoices and payments with financial institutions.