Some links on this page are affiliate links: if you buy through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
The U.S. Department of Energy’s free Plug Load Efficiency Utility Incentives list is a downloadable starting point for finding utility rebates for controls and efficient equipment, but it is not a live promise that money is still available. The DOE resource, published March 16, 2022, covers plug and process loads such as advanced power strips, computer power-management controls, occupancy sensors, vending-machine controllers, efficient appliances and kitchen equipment, and custom whole-building strategies. Use it to identify possible programs, then confirm territory, eligibility, funding, deadlines and documentation with the utility or program administrator before ordering equipment or beginning work.
What is the DOE plug-load efficiency utility incentives list?
The resource is a free DOE Better Buildings & Better Plants Solution Center download containing utility incentives and rebates for plug and process load controls offered across the United States. It is intended for project research and planning: a facility manager, designer, contractor or building owner can use it to see which utilities have offered support for reducing electricity used by equipment connected to outlets.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →“Plug load” means electricity consumed by devices that plug into a building’s receptacles rather than by central systems such as chillers or air handlers. In a commercial building, that can include computers, monitors, printers, kitchen appliances, vending machines, chargers and task equipment. Process loads are equipment loads associated with a business activity, such as food-service appliances or specialized production equipment.
The list is useful because these loads are often outside a conventional lighting or HVAC project. A utility may have a separate program for them, with its own qualifying products, application rules and incentive calculations. The DOE page’s purpose is to make those offerings easier to discover, not to replace the utility’s current terms.
Popular on Amazon
- Ergonomically Designed: Work in tight areas with a compact design that gets into tough spots
- Both tools are designed to fit into difficult to reach spaces
- Complete a wide range of applications with a high-performance motor that delivers up to 300 UWO, and an impact driver delivering up to 1,400 in-lbs of torque
- Both the DEWALT impact driver and drill driver feature integrated LED work lights with a convenient 20-second delay, ensuring enhanced visibility in dimly lit or challenging work areas
- One-Handed Loading - Keep one hand free with a 1/4 in. hex chuck that accepts 1 in. bit tips
Is the downloadable list still a current rebate catalogue?
No. Treat every entry as a lead until the named utility or administrator confirms that the offering is open and that your project qualifies. DOE’s guidance explicitly warns that “incentive offerings can change at any time,” so a program shown in a March 2022 resource—or described in an older program document—may have closed, changed its amount or exhausted its budget.
Before you include an incentive in a project budget, verify all of the following:
- Service territory: the account must normally be served by the utility running the program, and some utilities divide programs by customer class or municipality.
- Customer eligibility: commercial, industrial, institutional, multifamily and small-business customers can have different rules.
- Measure definition: “advanced power strip” or “occupancy sensor” may mean a specific control function, certification, wattage, quantity or installation method.
- Funding status: ask whether funds remain, whether applications are accepted on a first-come basis and whether the utility can change or suspend the offer.
- Timing: determine whether preapproval is required before purchase, installation or removal of existing equipment.
- Evidence: confirm required invoices, serial numbers, photographs, commissioning records, savings calculations and proof of installation.
Ask the program administrator to provide the current application and terms in writing. Keep that version with the project file; it establishes which requirements you were relying on when work was approved.
What equipment and controls can qualify?
The DOE material describes a broader field than plug strips alone. The categories below are a practical way to interpret the list, although the exact qualifying measures are always program-specific.
| Category | Typical application | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced power strips | Workstations, shared offices and other clusters of plug-in equipment | Whether the program requires occupancy sensing, schedule control, master-device control, a particular configuration or a listed product class |
| Computer power management | Sleep, shutdown and wake schedules for computers and monitors | Supported operating systems, software or network controls, deployment evidence and persistence of settings |
| Occupancy sensors | Automatic control of plug loads or equipment in intermittently occupied rooms | Sensor type, controlled load, wiring or commissioning requirements and location limits |
| Vending-machine controllers | Controls that reduce refrigeration or lighting operation during unoccupied periods | Eligible machine types, control sequence, installation documentation and safety requirements |
| Efficient appliances and kitchen equipment | Break rooms, cafeterias, restaurants and institutional kitchens | Efficiency rating, equipment category, replacement rules and whether new construction is treated differently from retrofit |
| Custom whole-building strategies | Coordinated controls or operational changes across many plug and process loads | Baseline, calculation method, engineering review, measurement requirements and incentive cap |
DOE notes that incentive lists expanded beyond ENERGY STAR equipment to include a wider range of high-efficiency products and controls. That does not mean every ENERGY STAR product, or every model in a listed category, automatically qualifies. The utility’s current specification controls.
Also popular on Amazon
- Valued Carpenter Pencil Set: You will get 2 pcs solid carpenter pencils with 26 piece 2.8 mm refills, 1 replaceable sharpener, 1 plastic storage box.The complete carpenter pencils combination allows you to finish your work faster and more easily
- Deep Hole Marker Pencil: The deep-hole construction pencils adopts 45mm elongated tip design, which is more convenient to mark in the small hole or in other tight areas that other carpenter markers cannot reach
- Carpenter Pencils with Sharpener: The sharpener is screwed into the top of the work pencil, which won't get lost either. Built-in pencil sharpener that keep the lead with pointed and smooth to Improves line of sight in fine work
- Stronger Solid Lead: This work pencil is matched with a 2.8 mm thick lead , which is much thicker and stronger during the drawing process of construction work, it will not break or damage easily
- Marks on Various Surfaces: 3 colors solid construction pencil can marks on various surfaces,such as metal, plastic, wood, paper etc. Ideals for woodworkers, contractors, craftsmen, builders, merchants and masons
How do I search the list for my building?
Start with the utility that appears on the electric bill, not with a product brand. DOE says the lists can be searched by utility, state, offering type or product type. Use those fields to create a short list of possible programs, then move to the utility’s current program page or administrator contact.
- Record the account details. Note the legal customer name, service address, account number, rate class and whether electricity is supplied by a utility or a competitive supplier. These details help the administrator identify the correct territory.
- Search by utility and state. Search the download for the serving utility first. A nearby utility’s offer may look attractive but be unavailable to your account.
- Filter by measure. Look separately for advanced power strips, computer management, sensors, vending controls, appliances, kitchen equipment and custom measures. Similar wording can hide different qualification rules.
- Capture the administrator’s contact information. Save the program name, phone number, web address and any application identifier shown in the entry.
- Confirm the live terms. Ask for the current incentive sheet, application form, technical requirements, deadline and funding status. Do not rely on an amount copied from the download.
- Ask about sequencing. Find out whether an energy audit, preapproval, purchase order, installation or inspection must happen before the next step.
If the list names a statewide administrator rather than the utility itself, verify that the administrator serves your account and customer class. Some programs are delivered through contractors or trade allies, but that does not remove the customer’s obligation to satisfy the written rules.
What is the difference between prescriptive and custom incentives?
Prescriptive incentives pay a stated amount for installing a defined measure that meets the program specification. Custom incentives are calculated from the project’s expected or documented energy reduction and usually require more engineering review. DOE describes both approaches in its utility-incentive guidance.
A prescriptive path can be simpler when your project matches the catalog exactly. The application may ask for quantity, product information, installation date and proof of purchase. The trade-off is less flexibility: a device that performs well but falls outside the listed specification may receive nothing.
A custom path can fit a coordinated strategy—for example, schedules, sensors and controls applied across several types of equipment. Expect to provide a baseline, operating assumptions, savings calculations and possibly measurement or verification. Ask whether the utility pays on estimated savings, verified savings or a combination, and whether an engineering study is reimbursable.
Also popular on Amazon
- 【Great Compatibility】This Katerk 1/4 inch hex shank bit holder is specifically designed for 1/4 inch hex shank drill bits. It's compatible with most 1/4 fast hex handles, hex sockets, various electric screwdrivers, and handheld screwdrivers. The bit holder makes it a valuable addition for any handyman.
- 【Secure and Safe】Built with a secure backup nut design, each drill bit holder securely locks onto your bits, ensuring they stay firmly in place. Additionally, our bit holder incorporates a high-quality steel ball rolling design that holds up to several kilograms of weight, ensuring your various drill bits don't fall off.
- 【Easy One-Handed Operation】The bit holder for impact driver allows you to change bits single-handedly, simplifying your workflow. Its multi-color design further allows for quick identification of the drill bit you need.
- 【Compact and Convenient】Thanks to its compact size, this 1/4 inch bit holder is easy to carry around. The bit holder allows for easy attachment to various tools, making this a convenient addition to your construction accessories. The Katerk bit holder is cast from high-quality alloy material, promising a long product lifespan. Despite its rugged strength, the bit holder remains lightweight, making it portable.
- 【Cool Christmas Gift For Men Stocking Stuffers】 This screwdriver bit holder, driver bit holder, impact bit holder, can be given as a gift to your loved one, especially for anyone involved in construction or electrical work. It's a must-have for stocking stuffers for men and women, tools gifts for dad, tech gadgets for men, gifts for dad, gifts for him, gifts for husband, gifts for boyfriend, cool gadgets for men, and cool gifts for dad.
Do not assume that a project can be split to claim both categories for the same savings. Confirm stacking rules, caps and treatment of other grants before submitting an application.
What historical incentive amounts and savings figures does DOE report?
DOE’s June 7, 2021 article reported 521 plug and process load incentives in its list, compared with 40 in 2014. It gave historical examples of approximately $5–$25 per advanced power strip and $5–$25 per occupancy sensor. Those figures illustrate the range of offerings documented at that time; they are not current quotations and should not be used in a present-day payback calculation without confirmation.
| DOE historical reference | Reported figure | How to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Plug and process load incentives in the 2021 list | 521 | Shows the breadth of the historical database, not the number currently open |
| Incentives reported in 2014 | 40 | Historical comparison only |
| Advanced power strip examples | $5–$25 per strip | Do not budget without a current utility confirmation |
| Occupancy sensor examples | $5–$25 per sensor | Eligibility and payment basis vary by program |
Prices checked November 2026.
DOE also reports a General Services Administration assessment in which schedule-based advanced-power-strip functionality reduced workstation plug loads by 26%, while printer rooms and kitchens saw reductions of nearly 50%. Those are reported results for the assessed spaces and control strategy—not a guaranteed saving for every building. Actual performance depends on schedules, occupancy, connected equipment, control settings and whether users defeat the controls.
How should I compare two utility offers?
Compare the complete obligation, not just the advertised dollars. A smaller payment with simple documentation may be more useful than a larger custom incentive that requires a long engineering process or misses your construction schedule.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →| Comparison point | Questions to ask |
|---|---|
| Territory and eligibility | Does the account, rate class, building type and ownership structure qualify? |
| Eligible measure | Does the exact device, control sequence or appliance appear in the current rules? |
| Calculation method | Is payment prescriptive, custom, per unit, per kilowatt saved or based on another formula? |
| Amount and cap | Is there a per-unit amount, project maximum, customer maximum or annual budget? |
| Preapproval | Must the application be accepted before purchase, delivery, installation or demolition? |
| Documentation | Which invoices, model numbers, photographs, commissioning records and savings calculations are required? |
| Deadline and funding | What is the submission deadline, and can the program close when funds run out? |
| Payment timing | Is payment issued after approval, installation, inspection or verification? |
| Interaction with other aid | Can the incentive be combined with tax credits, owner funding or another utility program? |
What should a contractor or facility team prepare before applying?
Build an evidence package before equipment is ordered. At minimum, collect a one-line description of the existing condition, a count and location of affected devices, expected operating schedules and the proposed control sequence. For replacement equipment, record manufacturer, model, efficiency information and quantity. For custom work, document the baseline and assumptions used to estimate savings.
Also popular on Amazon
- Toolwiz 17-inch magnetic sweeper maintaining a load capacity of up to 8.8 pounds provides a perfect solution to the problem of clearing small ferrous metal objects, such as nails, tacks, bolts, and metal shavings from workshops or garage floors.
- Convenient and portable：17” is good for home, small workshop, or small yard as it is space-saving and more reachable for narrow areas. Perfect for collecting nails or small parts in the car, under the table, and in other nooks or crannies.
- Upgraded Handle Design: The handle features a sturdy, non-telescopic design to completely prevent slipping during use. By simply adding or removing the extension poles, the height can be adjusted to 3 different lengths: 18.9" (48 cm), 32.5" (82.5 cm), and 42.5" (108 cm) from ground to top. This customizable height helps prevent back bending and muscle strain, making your cleaning tasks effortless
- Flexible wheels: Upgrade wheel screws to avoid being too tight to spin or too loose. More comfortable 3-inch rubber wheels roll smoothly on carpet, grass, concrete, and hardwood floors. Just push and pull this rolling magnet-sweeper to pick up metal nails easily.
- Lightweight materials: The magnetic nail sweeper's compact and lightweight design makes the sweeping can be done anywhere you want, Push or pull it under the furniture, passing through the workshop floor, driveway, mud, grass, and gravel.
Coordinate the application with the electrical, controls and commissioning scopes. An advanced power strip that is delivered but not configured, or a sensor that does not control the intended receptacles, may fail an inspection. Put responsibility for programming, labeling, user instructions and closeout records in the project specifications.
Keep copies of the approved application, purchase documents, installation dates, photographs and correspondence. If ownership or the service account changes during construction, ask the administrator whether the incentive can be assigned or whether a new customer must apply.
What common mistakes cause plug-load incentive applications to fail?
- Starting work too early: purchasing or installing before written approval can make the project ineligible.
- Using the wrong territory: a building’s location does not always identify the electricity provider, especially in deregulated markets.
- Assuming a category is enough: “sensor” or “efficient appliance” is not a complete qualification; the control function and specification matter.
- Ignoring caps: a per-unit amount may be limited by a project, customer or annual budget cap.
- Missing proof: invoices without model numbers, incomplete quantity records or absent commissioning evidence can delay payment.
- Double counting savings: the same load reduction may not be eligible under multiple programs.
- Leaving controls unmanaged: schedules can be overridden, sensors can be bypassed and equipment can be replaced; assign an owner for ongoing operation.
When a requirement is unclear, obtain an answer from the administrator before committing funds. Save the response with the application rather than relying on an informal interpretation later.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
What if my utility is not listed or the program has closed?
The absence of an entry does not prove that no incentive exists. Check the utility’s current efficiency-program page, contact its commercial or industrial representative and ask whether a pilot, custom path or upcoming program covers plug and process loads. Utilities sometimes move measures between portfolios or publish separate offerings for small business, multifamily or public-sector customers.
Manufacturers and retailers looking for marketing or incentive opportunities can consult the EPA’s ENERGY STAR Database for Incentives and Joint Marketing Exchange (DIME). DIME is aimed at those organizations; EPA and DOE do not themselves provide the financial incentives. For data-service users, OpenEI documents an incentives API, but its documentation states that an API key is required. Neither resource substitutes for confirmation from the utility serving a particular project.
Also popular on Amazon
- APPLY TO MOST DRILLS : 6 pieces screw extractors work with any drill and all the screw size or bolt (3-12mm), These extractor tools are used to reverse the damaged screw counterclockwise until it is released
- The DIY Tools for Men-Men won't know they need screw extractor set until they have one! This screw extractor set is GIFTS WRAP AVAILABLE, can be gifted to your loved ones as it reflects a fresh trend with fun and practical. Amazing and Unique tool gifts for men women. The must have stocking stuffers for men, gifts for dad, husband, father, him, guy teens, adult, Boyfriend, son on Birthdays, Christmas, Fathers Day or anniversary. Perfect Holiday Gifts Guide
- HIGH QUALITY - This damaged screw remover tool kit is made from High-Speed Steel H.S.S 4341# , which have high hardness of 63hrc, it's durable and easily to remove any damaged screws.
- EASY TO USE: Just two simple steps to get the job done - drill a hole with a cutting size using the right size screw extractor and easily remove the screw or bolt using the removal tool Hardness 63-65HRC: Titanium hardened steel material, more durable than most screw extractors on the market, better hardness and durability than others, buy with confidence and complete peace of mind
- Cool Gadgets for Men Dad Christmas Birthday Gifts for Men and Women - Men won't know they need screw extractor sets until they have one! Every screw has the potential to rust and break, which can create a situation where it cannot be removed. Owning it, there will be no anxiety about rusty screws. This screw extractor set is GIFTS WRAP AVAILABLE, can be gifted to your loved ones as it reflects a fresh trend with fun and practical. Amazing and unique tool gifts for men women. A must have stocking stuffer for men on birthdays, Christmas, Father's Day or anniversaries, a gifts for dads, husbands, fathers, him, adults, boyfriends, sons. The best and most practical and surprising Christmas gifts
How should the list fit into a construction schedule?
Use the incentive search during design development, before procurement. During schematic design, identify plug-load measures and the serving utility. During design development, obtain current technical requirements and decide whether the measure is prescriptive or custom. Before bid or purchase, secure any required preapproval and assign documentation duties. At closeout, submit the final package promptly and retain confirmation of payment.
This sequence protects the project from a common mismatch: selecting equipment first and discovering afterward that the program required a different control sequence, an approved product class or a baseline study. Incentives should support a sound energy strategy, not determine equipment that fails operational, safety or maintenance requirements.
How we interpret the free DOE download
The list is most valuable as a discovery tool. Its strengths are breadth, searchable utility and measure categories, and a consolidated view of programs that can otherwise be difficult to find. Its limitation is currency: the downloadable resource is dated March 16, 2022, and utility offerings are subject to change. The responsible workflow is therefore to use the list to generate leads, verify every term locally and document the version of the rules used for the project.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a homeowner use the DOE plug-load incentive list?
The resource is oriented toward plug and process loads in buildings, and many entries are commercial or institutional programs. A homeowner should ask the local utility whether a residential program covers advanced power strips, sensors or efficient appliances rather than assuming a commercial listing applies.
Do advanced power strips qualify automatically if they are sold as energy-saving products?
No. A utility may require a particular control function, installation method, product class or quantity, and some programs require preapproval. Confirm the current specification before purchase and keep the model and invoice records the administrator requests.
When is a custom plug-load incentive better than a prescriptive rebate?
Custom treatment can make sense when a coordinated project does not fit a per-device catalog, such as controls deployed across several load types. It usually requires a baseline and savings calculation, so compare the engineering effort, review time and payment conditions with the simpler prescriptive option.
Recommended Free Tools
Where can I check whether a utility incentive has run out of money?
Ask the utility or named program administrator for the current funding status and application deadline. A downloadable list or archived program page cannot confirm remaining budget, and some programs close when funds are committed.
