FAQs
NJ SmartStart Buildings Program FAQs
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Chillers |
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Custom Programs |
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General Eligibility Requirements |
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HVAC – Ground Source Heat Pumps |
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Lighting |
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Lighting Controls |
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Variable Frequency Drives for Pumps |
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Tax Clearance Certificate Requirement |
Q. What is the incentive amount for the installation of Variable Frequency Drives on existing centrifugal chillers?
A. Incentive eligibility for a Variable Frequency Drive must first be determined through the Custom Measures approach. If eligible, the incentive is capped at $45/ton.
Q. Are incentives available for high-efficiency commercial washers and dryers?
A. This technology application would need to be considered under the eligibility requirements of the Custom Measures approach.
General Eligibility Requirements
Q. What is the definition of a "customer" with regard to the program's incentive cap?
A. The incentive cap for NJ SmartStart Buildings is $500,000 per customer, per fuel, per calendar year. A customer is represented by a utility account. An entity with multiple sites may receive incentives up to the cap at each location as long as each site has its own utility account.
Further, the Board approved an Entity Cap which is in addition to existing Program Incentive caps. An entity is defined as follows:
- Public – having distinct and separate budgetary authority
- Public Schools – having distinct and separate budgetary authority
- Private – non residential companies including all related subsidiaries and affiliates regardless of EIN numbers or locations within New Jersey
There is an entity cap of $4 million per entity, per year or $5 million per year if the project includes installation of a CHP project. The C&I Program utilizes a 12 month calendar period for tracking entity cap limits. More details about the cap can be found under BPU Docket No. EO07030203.
Q. Might the $500,000/customer incentive cap be waived, especially for customers with multiple sites?
A. The NJ BPU reserves the right to waive the cap on a case-by-case basis. Please note entity cap described above.
Q. We have a number of qualifying designs close to being installed. Are equipment incentives available?
A. Generally, as long as equipment has not been installed, incentives may be available for customers who submit an application package. Please see the Terms and Conditions on the Application forms and take note of paragraphs headed "Application and Eligibility Process" and "Exceptions for Approval". Funding is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Q. With regard to Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHP), is the incentive of $450-750 per ton available for the addition of new heat pumps to an existing system when no additional ground-loop or well system expansion is needed? In addition, is this incentive available for replacement of a heat pump in such a system, such as when one unit wears out?
A. No and no. The GSHP incentive is available for new systems only. The incentive is intended to help cover the incremental cost of installing a GSHP system as an alternative to a base system such as a central chiller and boiler system or rooftop AC and heat, not for adding to or replacing an existing GSHP system.
Q. Are there any efficiency requirements for eligible lamp and ballast combinations?
A. No. However, to be eligible for incentives, lamp and ballast combinations must be among those recommended by the manufacturer(s).
Q. For an eligible fluorescent lamp and ballast combination, must the lamp(s), ballast(s) and fixture housing and lens be replaced, or can just the lamp and ballast be replaced?
A. In most cases, there is no need to replace a fixture housing and lens to receive an incentive. However, some incentives are identified as being "for new fixtures only."
Q. Does the prescriptive incentive for eligible T-8 and electronic ballast combinations apply for 1-, 2-, 3- and 4-lamp fixtures?
A. Yes.
Q. Must the lighting retrofit meet a required light level output to receive an incentive?
A. No. The project must, however, meet all pertinent federal, state and local codes.
Q. Can a single 4-lamp T-12 fixture be replaced with four 1-lamp T-8 fixtures, thereby allowing a customer to receive a $15 per fixture incentive for a total incentive of $60?
A. No. Incentives are for a 1-to-1 replacement or retrofit of the existing fixtures.
Q. Is there a prescriptive lighting incentive for T-5 fixtures, since these are even more efficient than T-8s?
A. Yes. The prescriptive lighting incentive for eligible fluorescent lamps and electronic ballast fluorescent combinations is for T-8 and T-5 lamps.
Q. Can tandem-wired fixtures (where one ballast serves lamps in more than one fixture) earn prescriptive lighting incentives?
A. Yes. The $15 per fixture is paid based on the number of fixtures that are apparent (when looking at the ceiling from the affected space) to the casual observer.
Q. Where can one find the lighting level requirements specified by New Jersey's non-residential construction code?
A. New Jersey’s Uniform Construction Code references ASHRAE Std. 90.1-2007; see section 9 of this Standard.
Q. What is the UPLA (Unit Power Lighting Allowance) in watts per square foot to be used in the performance lighting incentive calculation for auto service spaces?
A. The ASHRAE/IES Std. 90.1-2007 code for Garage Services/Repair space will be accepted and used for all normal auto service spaces, such as in new car dealerships.
Q. Are CFL fixtures that meet all "Requirements for CFL fixtures" under the Prescriptive Lighting Program, except that these are not ENERGY STAR labeled, eligible for prescriptive incentives under the Program?
A. No.
Q. Can a customer get incentives for Performance Lighting and Prescriptive Lighting at the same facility?
A. No. Performance lighting incentives are only available for new construction projects. Customers with existing buildings must apply for prescriptive lighting incentives.
Q. Is the conversion of existing T-8 lamp and electronic ballast fixtures to more efficient T-8 lamp and electronic ballast fixtures eligible for either Prescriptive Lighting or Performance Lighting incentives?
A. Yes. 4' Reduced Wattage (28 or 25 watt) T-8 fixtures (1 to 4 lamp) are eligible for $10 per fixture as long as the ballast is also replaced.
Q. In order to receive an LED incentive, does the LED product need to be qualified or will UL listing suffice?
A. To receive an incentive for the LED categories listed and provided by the prescriptive lighting application, the fixture/lamp must be qualified and listed by ENERGY STAR or the Design Lights Consortium. The application provides website URLs to these qualified product lists to verify that the chosen product meets program requirements.
Q. If ENERGY STAR or the Design Lights Consortium do not provide a category matching the product I wish to install, can this be applied for as a custom incentive?
A. No, the LED fixture/lamp must be qualified and listed by ENERGY STAR or the Design Lights Consortium to qualify for an incentive. In the event a new fixture category is added and a prescriptive incentive is not available, the LED fixture/lamp may be eligible for a custom incentive. Please consult a program representative for more details.
Q. Regarding the prescriptive incentive for lighting controls, is there a maximum permissible wattage controlled per eligible lighting control?
A. No. Please be aware the manufacturer will list a maximum controlled wattage for sensor equipment.
Q. Are lighting control panels eligible for the lighting control prescriptive incentive?
A. No. This technology application would have to be considered under the eligibility requirements of the Custom Measures approach.
Q. Are incentives available for controls that turn HID fixtures in a parking garage on and off based on a light-level sensor’s determination of whether lighting is needed or not?
A. No, because parking garages are not considered interior spaces by the program and control incentives are available only for interior lighting. Furthermore, though HID fixtures in interior spaces that are controlled for high-low output do earn an incentive, a control that shuts them off or turns them on is not a Prescriptive measure.
Variable Frequency Drives for Pumps
Q. We are currently adding Variable Frequency Drives to city water pumps. Does this qualify?
A. Variable Frequency Drives for motors in air handling units serving Variable Air Volume air distribution systems are eligible for the prescriptive incentive, as are Variable Frequency Drives for chilled water pumps. All other applications would have to be considered under the eligibility requirements of the Custom Measures approach.
Tax Clearance Certificate Requirement
Q. Does the Tax Clearance Certificate Requirement apply to all organizations?
A. Public, tax-exempt organizations such as state, county, and local governments and public schools are not required to submit the Application for Tax Clearance. Certain private business entities may hold a “Sales Tax Exempt Organization Certificate (Form ST-5).” This form applies solely to purchases of tangible personal property or services and does not exempt the entity from the requirement to submit the Application for Tax Clearance. Entities which are certain of their tax status need only complete and sign page one of the Application. If the page one information proves inadequate for the Division of Taxation to grant a Tax Clearance Certificate, the additional details from page two will be requested. Tax Clearance Certificates are only valid for 90 days.