Some loan measures may also qualify for City of Tallahassee rebates. Visit the Rebates section of Talgov.com to view and download all rebate applications. Solar PV and solar water-heating systems can qualify for 30% Federal tax credits. And Federal rebates for energy-efficient electric appliances were approved in 2022 within the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Qualification for these will be income-based. In late January 2023 the IRA rebates are still being developed. For more information, visit EnergyStar.gov.
Note: The City of Tallahassee's loan and rebate eligibility criteria for air-source heat pumps and air conditioners are now updated to new 2023 EPA ENERGY STAR minimum efficiency criteria. Based on a revised equipment testing protocol, the efficiency terminology for these HVAC types is changed in 2023 to "SEER2", EER2" and "HSPF2".
However, in the City's loan program a transitional grace period will allow air-source equipment types to qualify at last year's ENERGY STAR efficiency standards until June 1, 2023. Last year's ENERGY STAR loan criteria for air-source Straight-Cool AC were: SEER 15.0 and EER 12.5 for Split and Mini-Split systems; and SEER 15.0 and EER 12.0 for Package Systems. Last year's ENERGY STAR loan criteria for air-source Heat Pumps were: SEER 15.0, EER 12.5, and HSPF 8.5 for Split and Mini-Split systems; and SEER 15.0, EER 12.0 and HSPF 8.2 for Package Systems. Last year's and this year's system ratings are listed online in the current Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) Certification Directory.
Ceiling Insulation
Install up to an R-49 level of ceiling insulation.
Loan Program Minimum Requirements
An energy audit is required before application.
Available City of Tallahassee Grants
80% Grant - For blown fiberglass or loose cellulose installed by a participating local contractor, the City's grant program pays 80% of installed cost up to $400. An energy audit is required prior to obtaining the grant and/or loan.
Clothes Washer
ENERGY STAR certified models use less water and less electricity.
Loan Program Minimum Requirements
Must be ENERGY STAR certified
Available City of Tallahassee Rebate
$100 Rebate - For new washer meeting ENERGY STAR standard
Ductwork
Test, seal, insulate, repair or replace your ductwork.
Loan Program Minimum Requirements
Duct modifications must be accomplished by a licensed HVAC contractor. Duct sealing is done using a long-lasting paste called mastic or the Aeroseal (or "Truseal") process developed by Lawrence Berkeley National Lab/U.S. Dept. of Energy.
Electric Vehicle Home Charging Station
Install a charging station in your home for an electric vehicle. Please call Customer Operations at 850-891-4968 if you'd like more information.
Loan Program Minimum Requirements
240-volt Level 2 Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE)
Floor Insulation
Improve the thermal barrier under your floor.
Loan Program Minimum Requirements
Minimum R-11 fiberglass batts or foam insulation.
An energy audit is recommended
Heat Pump
A "reversing" air conditioner that provides all-electric heating and cooling. Conventional air-source heat pumps are usually equipped with backup electric heat-strips (electric resistance heat strips) for supplemental or emergency heating.
Loan Program Minimum Requirements
Split & Mini-Split Systems - SEER2 15.2, EER2 11.7, HSPF2 7.8
Package Systems - SEER2 15.2, EER2 10.6, HSPF2 7.2
Available City of Tallahassee Rebates
$100 Rebate - Same minimum requirements as above for loan program.
$350 Rebate - Minimum requirements for split and mini-split systems are SEER2 17.1, EER2 12.0, and HSPF2 8.0. Minimum requirements for package systems are SEER2 15.2, EER2 11.0, and HSPF2 7.8.
Heat Pump Water Heater
Enjoy high-efficiency electric water heating using heat pump technology. These are also known as "hybrid" water heaters. Note that loans/rebates are unavailable if replacing natural gas water heating.
Loan Program Minimum Requirements
Must be ENERGY STAR certified
Available City of Tallahassee Rebate
$300 Rebate - You automatically qualify for this rebate when going through the loan program.
Natural Gas Combination Appliance
Also known as "hydroheat" or "Apollo System" (a 1980's brand name), combination appliances use a larger capacity natural gas water heater to heat the entire house, as well as the water. It's efficient, effective and warm.
Loan Program Minimum Requirements
.76 recovery efficiency
Available City of Tallahassee Rebate
$1,375 Combination Rebate ($700 Furnace + $675 Water Heater Rebates) - For new complete, system (water heater, hydronic loop, valves, controls)
Natural Gas Dryer
Dry clothes faster with less wrinkling.
Loan Program Minimum Requirements
Installation permit/inspection for replacing electric/propane
Permit/sticker for replacing natural gas
Available City of Tallahassee Rebates
$200 Rebate - Replacing electric/propane
$150 Rebate - Replacing natural gas
Natural Gas Furnace
This heats fast, and the air is hot. Cats love the warmth.
Loan Program Minimum Requirements
AFUE 80%
Available City of Tallahassee Rebates
$700 Rebate - Replacing non-gas heating
$350 Rebate - Gas-to-gas furnace replacement
Natural Gas Range
This provides fast heat with accurate control.
Loan Program Minimum Requirements
Electronic ignition
Available City of Tallahassee Rebates
$200 Rebate - Replacing electric/propane
$150 Rebate - Replacing natural gas
Natural Gas Vehicle Fueling Appliance
Installing a home fueling station for a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicle? At the City of Tallahassee's current residential natural gas rate, including taxes, CNG fueling is comparable in cost to buying gasoline for about $1.71/gallon (including tax and the electric cost of natural gas compression.) This is a new loan measure. Call Customer Operations at 850-891-4968 if you'd like more information!
Loan Program Minimum Requirements
American Gas Association (AGA) certified equipment required
Installation by a qualified contractor
Electric and gas permits and inspections required
Natural Gas Vented Space Heater
Newer models can be surprisingly effective – even luxurious.
Loan Program Minimum Requirements
American Gas Association approved
Minimum AFUE 63%
Available City of Tallahassee Rebate
Call Customer Operations at 850-891-4968. Some models qualify for "gas furnace" rebates in proportion to size.
Natural Gas Water Heater
Powerful and long-lasting, conventional natural gas water heaters operate for significantly less cost than conventional electric (about 40% less if tank-style and 60% less if tankless). Learn more.
Loan Program Minimum Requirements
EF .58 if tank-style; EF .82 if tankless
Available City of Tallahassee Rebates
$675 Rebate - Replacing electric/propane
$300 Rebate - Replacing natural gas
Refrigerator, Freezer, Dishwasher
Loans and rebates are for full-sized appliances.
Loan Program Minimum Requirements
Must be ENERGY STAR certified
Available City of Tallahassee Rebates
$75 Rebate - Refrigerator
$40 Rebate - Freezer
$40 Rebate - Dishwasher
Solar Photovoltaic (PV) System
Use the sun's free energy to generate electricity. Net metering gives you kWh credits for electricity you export back onto the City's grid. Loan limit is $20,000; term is up to 10 years.
Loan Program Minimum Requirements
An energy audit is required
FSEC listed/certified panels
Net-metering
Other design requirements apply
Solar Screens/Solar Films
These reduce summer heat transfer through windows and sliding glass doors.
Loan Program Minimum Requirements
Minimum shading coefficient 50%
An energy audit is recommended
Solar Water Heating (household or pool)
Heat water using the sun's free energy. Up to a 10-year loan term is offered for solar domestic water heating.
Loan Program Minimum Requirements
Freeze-protected even during an electric grid power outage
FSEC certified indirect or drain-back systems or qualifying solar-electric PV designs
An energy audit is required
Available City of Tallahassee Rebate
$450 Rebate - for solar domestic water heating (not pool heating)
Standby Electric Generator
Provide emergency household power using a fueled electric generator.
Loan Program Minimum Requirements
Permanent installation, not portable
Transfer switch (manual or automatic)
Permitted and inspected
Straight Cool AC
Long lasting, cooling-only central air conditioning looks identical to a heat pump but has no internal reversing valve. Thus, it doesn't heat; it only cools. Straight Cool AC systems are typically paired with conventional gas furnaces for heating.
Loan Program Minimum Requirements
Split & Mini-Split Systems - SEER2 15.2, EER2 12.0
Package Systems - SEER2 15.2 and EER2 11.5
Available City of Tallahassee Rebates
$100 Rebate - Same minimum requirements as above for loan program.
$350 Rebate - Minimum requirements for split and mini-split systems are SEER2 17.1, EER2 12.0.
Variable-Speed Pool Pump
Get higher-efficiency pool pumping.
Loan Program Minimum Requirements
Must be ENERGY STAR certified
Must be variable speed, not 2-speed
Available City of Tallahassee Rebate
$200 Rebate - Must be ENERGY STAR certified and variable speed, not 2-speed
Wall Insulation
Improve the thermal barrier within your external walls.
Loan Program Minimum Requirements
Minimum R-11 wall insulation
An energy audit is recommended
Water Irrigation System
Smart systems save water and electricity.
Loan Program Minimum Requirements
Smart controls (which respond to real-time weather) are recommended. Please call Customer Operations at 850-891-4968 if you'd like more information.
Water-Source Heat Pump, Closed Loop
Also known as a "geo-source," "geothermal" or "ground-source" heat pump, it takes heat from the earth, is quiet, has high efficiency and offers a low operating cost. This technology dries the air particularly well – a welcome feature in Tallahassee's famously damp climate. Installation costs are higher than those for conventional air-source heat pumps.
Loan Program Minimum Requirements
EER 17.1, COP 3.6
Available City of Tallahassee Rebate
$750 Rebate - You automatically qualify for this rebate when going through the loan program.
Windows, Sliding Glass Doors, French Doors
Replace single pane or low R-value double pane.
Loan Program Minimum Requirements
Windows must be ENERGY STAR certified (at Southern ENERGY STAR standards)
An energy audit is required