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What are lighting instant (midstream) rebates?

Written by UtilityGenius Contributor | Dec 22, 2023

Industry professionals are continuously searching for financial advantages in the dynamic world of ever-changing commercial and industrial lighting solutions. Because of this, instant rebates—a contemporary and efficient form of discounting—are growing in popularity. Instant rebates are applied directly at the point of sale through an authorized distributor, which makes receiving rebate dollars easy for the purchaser!

These rebates reduce the customer's cost at checkout. This streamlined approach both simplifies purchasing and accelerates the return on investment for energy-efficient lighting solutions.

Instant rebates have been evolving to encompass a wide range of commercial and industrial lighting products, focusing on sustainable and cost-efficient lighting.

Our platform, UtilityGenius™ Commercial Storefront, simplifies accessing instant rebates by integrating rebate opportunities into the purchase process. The platform's clever design makes it simple and easy for users to obtain fast rebates. Whether you are a distributor sales team member, a manufacturer representative, a contractor, or a business owner, this platform is a game changer. 

Explore the following resources for a hands-on example of how instant Rebates can be easily incorporated into your procurement procedure:

UtilityGenius Commercial Storefront for Consolidated Edison is available to ConEd customers in the NYC area.

UtilityGenius Commercial Storefront for PECO is available for customers in the Philadelphia area.

Investing in the Commercial Storefront means more than buying lighting solutions—it means investing in a future where sustainability, affordability, and efficiency coexist. 

Instant Rebate Trends and Heavily Rebated Lighting Product Categories in ConEd & PECO Programs

There's been a big change in the instant rebate landscape for commercial and industrial lighting, both in terms of goods covered and trends. Over 50 utilities now offer instant rebate programs, with many transitioning from traditional prescriptive models. This number is growing, indicating a larger trend in the industry towards more simplified rebate models that focus on the customers’ needs. 

Highlights of the ConEd (New York City Area) Rebate Program

Certain goods stand out in the ConEd rebate program due to their extensive coverage under instant rebates:

Tubes: They can reimburse up to 97% of the product cost, making them incredibly well-rebated. This cost reduction rate shows the emphasis on cost-effectiveness and energy efficiency in lighting systems.

Lamps: Because lamps are crucial to energy-efficient lighting, a substantial rebate is available for them that can cover up to 95% of the product cost.

Fixtures: Lighting fixtures can account for 20% or more of the electricity costs in a commercial building - substantial rebates in this category can help lower product costs while reducing energy consumption and maintenance costs.

Highbays, Linear Fixtures, Outdoor Fixtures, Retrofit Kits, Troffers/Flat Panels, and Pin-Base CFL Replacements are other noteworthy categories in the ConEd program. These categories, each with a unique rebate amount, show how the program takes a thorough approach to encouraging energy-efficient lighting.

Features of the PECO (Philadelphia Area) Rebate Program

This pattern is also reflected in the PECO rebate program, which has noteworthy categories as well:

Highbays: An incredible refund offer that can reimburse up to 99% of the original cost. The "$1 Highbays'' campaign demonstrates PECO's dedication to high-efficiency lighting at the lowest possible cost to the consumer.

Outdoor Fixtures: The adoption of energy-efficient outdoor lighting solutions is encouraged by a significant rebate that covers up to 99% of the product cost for these fixtures.

Downlights: Instant rebates up to 95% of the product cost, demonstrating the significance of these lights in the lighting strategy of the PECO region.

The PECO program also has other categories, such as Troffer/Flat Panels, Lamps, Tubes, Linear Fixtures, and Retrofit Kits.

$1 High Bay through Instant Rebates in the PECO utility

Best-Selling Categories via Our Commercial Storefront 

Some product categories have been best sellers through our Commercial Storefront in both ConEd and PECO programs. These consist of Wall Packs, Downlights, Tubes, and Flat Panel/Troffers. These categories' widespread appeal demonstrates their continued relevance in the market and compatibility with the energy-saving objectives of contemporary lighting systems.

The immediate rebate market is changing quickly, with utilities such as ConEd and PECO setting the standard for large rebates on a variety of lighting items. These patterns illustrate the utilities' dedication to ensuring that energy efficiency is both accessible and cheap for their customers, in addition to reflecting a move towards more energy-efficient lighting options.

Debunking Common Myths About Instant Rebates

There are many myths in the world of instant rebates, particularly in the commercial and industrial lighting business. Customers may be discouraged from taking advantage of significant savings and efficiency gains as a result of these fallacies. To shed light on the real advantages of these rebates, let's examine and dispel three prevalent myths.

Myth #1: Rebate claims are limited

Myth: It's a common misconception that customers can only file one rebate each year. This false belief may cause people to hesitate while making several purchases of energy-efficient goods.

Truth: A consumer is able to claim an unlimited amount of rebates in a given year under an active rebate program. The goal of this flexibility is to promote the broad use of lighting solutions that use less energy. Customers can participate in many transactions all year long, benefiting from rebates each time, which speeds up the switch to more energy-efficient lighting systems.

Myth #2: Processing rebates is a hassle

Myth: Some think that qualifying and submitting for a rebate is difficult and not worth the trouble. Customers may be discouraged from pursuing rebates by this misconception, believing it to be an intricate and time-consuming process.

Truth: As your rebate partners through the Commercial Storefront, we manage the rebate submission process.  By taking a more efficient strategy, you can focus on your primary business tasks, such as satisfying customers and increasing sales, without having to worry about the qualification process. The simplicity and effectiveness of this procedure highlight the dedication to providing hassle-free, easily available energy-saving options.

Myth #3: "Too Good to Be True" 

Myth: There is a prevalent lack of confidence in the source and durability of the funding for these programs. Due to how substantial these rebates are, consumers frequently believe they are "too good to be true," casting doubt on their reliability.

Truth: Utilities encourage sustainable energy habits, in addition to complying with regulations, by offering incentives to customers within their territories to use energy-efficient lighting systems. Each utility has energy efficiency goals they set forth to meet, and incentives are one way that they strive to reach these goals. Because of this win-win situation, which benefits the consumer as well as the environment, these rebates are both legal and sustainable.

With these myths disproved, the actual worth and simplicity of instant rebates is clear. As a vital component of a larger plan to promote sustainability and energy efficiency in the lighting sector, they provide customers with real advantages.

The Benefits of Leveraging Instant Rebates

Instant rebates are a strategic instrument that, if used correctly, will improve corporate operations and reduce upfront costs, making energy-efficient lighting more accessible.

Lowering Up-Front Costs

One direct advantage of instant rebates is the ability to lower your customers' upfront lighting product costs at the time of purchase. Customers are strongly motivated by this upfront cost reduction, which increases the affordability of energy-efficient lighting systems. You can complete sales more quickly and successfully by lowering the initial investment barrier, which offers customers an instant cash benefit.

Drive for Education and Sales Enhancement

You can separate yourself from the competition by establishing your business as more than just a supplier by educating your customers about the benefits and availability of instant rebates. Instead, you become a valuable partner in their efforts to become more energy efficient. This instructional strategy increases sales in addition to fostering trust. When consumers are aware of all the advantages of a product, including the significant discounts provided by rebates, they are more inclined to invest in it.

Simplifying Rebate Availability

UtilityGenius Commercial Storefront streamlines the rebate process, providing a one-stop solution for diverse lighting needs. Customers can simply locate and buy various lighting products from the Commercial Storefront, all while conveniently taking advantage of the rebates. Because of the easy-to-use interface and streamlined procedures, distributors and customers can benefit from a seamless, effective, and profitable transaction experience.

Take Action

Utilize the Commercial Storefront to offer your customers immediate financial benefits and position your business as a forward-thinking player in the evolving lighting industry.

Explore these invaluable resources:

Use the Commercial Storefront to enhance your business strategy, foster sustainable practices, and drive growth. By leveraging the advantages of instant rebates through the Commercial Storefront, we can collectively drive innovation, efficiency, and sustainability. Together, we have the power to shape a brighter, more energy-efficient future for our customers and our planet.

 

This article was created in partnership with Infinity Media.