Rebates

Commercial customers can get a rebate for upgrading to an energy-efficient air-cooled water chiller.

• Lower operating costs: Save money on maintenance and energy bills.
• Reliable performance: Modern chillers offer long-term reliability.
• Energy savings: Reduce your business's energy consumption.

Rebate: Determined at pre-inspection, based on the equipment and your project costs. Commercial rebates cannot exceed 50% of total job costs.

What qualifies: A pre-inspection is required before you begin your project. Work started before the pre-inspection cannot be rebated.

How to Apply: Contact BPUB at (956) 983-6282 to schedule a pre-inspection appointment. See Commercial Program Guidelines below for full commercial terms.

Proper insulation is key to an energy-efficient home. Get a rebate for adding or improving your attic insulation and enjoy a more comfortable home year-round.

• Improve comfort: Keep your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.
• Save energy: Reduce your heating and cooling costs.
• Increase home value: An energy-efficient home is a more valuable home.

Rebate: $0.01 × square feet insulated × R-value added, up to $500.

Limit: One application per address per fiscal year.

What qualifies:

• Insulation must be installed between your home's conditioned area (the air-conditioned living space below the ceiling) and an unconditioned area (the attic). Garages and other non-conditioned rooms do not qualify.
• Final insulation must reach R-38 for batt, blown-in or rigid, or R-23 for spray foam. Closed-cell polyurethane spray foam must be at least 5 inches thick on the interior roof deck; open-cell polyisocyanurate at least 5.5 inches.
• The rebate applies only to newly installed insulation. Your installer must document the home's existing insulation level on the invoice.

Submit with your application:

• Your property number from the Cameron Appraisal District — square footage is verified against cameroncad.org.
• An itemized, dated invoice showing the manufacturer, insulation type, existing R-value (if applicable), R-value installed, square footage installed, and the installation address and date.

How to Apply:

• Apply Online
• Download Application (PDF)

Upgrade your business's lighting to energy-efficient options and get a rebate to help offset the cost.

• Lower costs: Reduce your energy consumption and save on your electric bill.
• Improve lighting: Create a more comfortable and productive work environment.
• Long-lasting: LED lighting has a longer lifespan than traditional options.

Rebate: Determined at pre-inspection, based on the equipment and your project costs. Commercial rebates cannot exceed 50% of total job costs.

What qualifies: A pre-inspection is required before you begin your project. Work started before the pre-inspection cannot be rebated.

How to Apply: Contact BPUB at (956) 983-6282 to schedule a pre-inspection appointment. See Commercial Program Guidelines below for full commercial terms.

Leaky ducts can waste up to 20% of your home's conditioned air. Get a rebate for testing and sealing your ducts to improve efficiency.

• Improve air quality: Sealed ducts prevent dust, pollen, and fumes from entering your home.
• Lower utility bills: Reduce your heating and cooling costs.
• Increase comfort: Ensure consistent temperatures throughout your home.

Rebate: 25% of your costs, up to $500. BPUB also credits up to $125 for your pre-test and pays up to $125 for the final test.

Limit: One application per address per fiscal year.

What qualifies:

• Retrofit only — replacing existing ductwork, or repairing and improving existing ductwork.
• You pay for the pre-test up front through a Home Energy Rating System (HERS) rater. If your rebate is approved, up to $125 is credited to your account.
• Pre-testing must show 20% or more leakage, and post-testing must show 10% or less leakage. The first test establishes base leakage and the second establishes results; both must be sent to BPUB.
• Work must be done by a licensed Texas Air Conditioning Contractor (TACL), and the TACL number must be on the application.
• You are responsible for compliance with all federal, state and local installation regulations.

Submit with your application: Pre- and post-test results, and a legible purchase receipt showing the installation address and date.

How to Apply:

• Apply Online
• Download Application (PDF)

Upgrade to ENERGY STAR® qualified windows and save money while protecting your home from the Texas sun.

• Save money: Lower your energy bills year-round.
• Protect your interior: Reduce fading of furniture, flooring, and curtains.
• Improve comfort: Keep your home cooler in the summer.

Requirements and rebate amounts differ for residential and commercial customers:

What qualifies:

• Windows must be new and ENERGY STAR® certified — confirm with the seller before purchasing.
• ENERGY STAR New Homes do not qualify.
• Commercial rebates also cover qualifying glass doors.

Submit with your application: Manufacturer data verifying the U-factor and SHGC of the installed windows, plus your purchase receipt or sales invoice.

How to Apply:

• Apply Online
• Download Residential Application (PDF)
• Download Commercial Application (PDF)

Upgrade your home's cooling system and get a rebate of up to $1,200! We offer rebates for energy-efficient central air conditioners, heat pumps, and window units.

• Save money: Lower your monthly energy bills.
• Stay comfortable: Enjoy a cooler home during the hot Texas summers.
• Go green: Reduce your carbon footprint.

Residential rebate — based on the AHRI published efficiency rating:

Limit: Two units or systems per address per fiscal year.

What qualifies (residential):

• Rebates cover replacing existing older units and new construction.
• Five (5) ton limit per unit. Central A/C includes split systems and self-contained (package) units.
• Both the evaporator coil (inside unit) and the condensing unit (outside unit) must be replaced as a matching system as rated by AHRI.
• A licensed air conditioning contractor must complete the installation, and the Texas Air Conditioning/Refrigeration Contractor (TACL) license number must be on the application.
• Installation must be verified and approved by a third-party rater. Scheduling instructions are provided once your submission is verified.
• You are responsible for compliance with all federal, state and local installation regulations.

Submit with your application (residential): The AHRI Certificate of Product Rating sheet from your contractor, and a legible itemized receipt showing equipment installed, model numbers, serial numbers, installation address and installation date. Proposals, quotes and letters of completion are not accepted.

Commercial rebate — paid per ton by size category:

Commercial limits: $25,000 for HVAC systems and $10,000 for mini split systems per fiscal year. Commercial rebates are processed within 3–5 weeks of final approval.

How to Apply:

• Apply Online
• Download Residential Application (PDF)
• Download Commercial Application (PDF)

Block the sun's heat and UV rays with solar screens and films. It's a simple way to reduce your cooling costs.

• Lower energy bills: Reduce your need for air conditioning.
• Protect your belongings: Prevent fading and sun damage.
• Improve comfort: Keep your home or business cooler.

Rebate: $1.00 per square foot installed — up to $500 residential, up to $5,000 commercial.

Limit: Residential, one application per address per fiscal year.

What qualifies:

• Solar screens and films must block at least 65% of the Solar Heat Gain (SHG).
• Only window screens installed in a conditioned space qualify.
• ENERGY STAR New Homes do not qualify.

Submit with your application:

• Pictures of the windows with the screens or film after installation.
• A contractor's installation receipt itemizing the total area installed, product identifiers, performance rating specifications, and reflectivity data for the window tint.

How to Apply:

• Apply Online
• Download Residential Application (PDF)
• Download Commercial Application (PDF)

Save water and money with every flush! Get a rebate for installing a WaterSense labeled high-efficiency toilet (HET).

• Save water: An HET can save up to 4,000 gallons of water per year.
• Reduce bills: Lower your water and wastewater bills.
• High performance: Modern HETs are designed for powerful, efficient flushing.

Rebate: $50 per high-efficiency toilet installed.

Limit: Three high-efficiency toilets per address per fiscal year.

What qualifies:

• This rebate requires an active BPUB water service account — BPUB water-only customers are eligible.
• Toilets must be WaterSense® certified. Confirm with the seller before purchasing.

Submit with your application: A copy of your purchase receipt or sales invoice.

How to Apply:

• Apply Online
• Download Application (PDF)

The following terms and conditions apply to all BPUB residential rebate programs:

• Credit to the account is typically applied 3–6 weeks after receipt of all documentation.
• BPUB reserves the right to audit and investigate the information provided, and may request an on-site verification before approving the rebate.
• It is the customer's responsibility to ensure compliance with all federal, state and local regulations for the installation.
• You must meet both the eligibility requirements and the program terms and conditions for the rebate you are applying for. Complete terms are on page 2 of each application.

The following terms and conditions apply to all BPUB commercial rebate programs:

• Programs may be modified or terminated at any time and without notice by the Brownsville Public Utilities Board (BPUB).
• The rebate program is based on fund availability.
• Only BPUB electric customers may participate in the rebate program; BPUB water-only customers may participate in the High-Efficiency Toilet/Urinal rebate program.
• Each participant must be served BPUB and be metered as a commercial customer.
• Installations must be completed by all laws, codes, permits and other applicable requirements under federal, state and local authorities. Before issuing a rebate, BPUB shall conduct a site visit/audit to verify that the installed equipment is eligible for rebate. A rebate will not be paid if BPUB cannot conduct the required pre- and post-site visit/audit or verification.
• The participant is urged to seek appropriate consultation concerning any tax liabilities associated with the rebate's receipt.
• BPUB will not assume any responsibility for the performance of the equipment or equipment warranty, the quality of the work, labor and materials supplied, and the acts or omissions of the participating contractor.
• BPUB does not endorse, guarantee or warrant any particular contractor, manufacturer or installer.
• No energy savings are guaranteed due to the purchase and installation of eligible equipment.
• The participant is responsible for the rebate process, from initiation through completion. The Customer may designate an agent/primary contact; however, the Customer is responsible for ensuring that all rebate requirements, terms and conditions, and Program processes are strictly followed.
• The Customer is responsible for and must sign the Application and Terms and Conditions to participate in the GreenBusiness rebate program.
• Rebates are paid based on invoices for actual labor, material, and disposal costs for equipment retrofit/installations, not for other costs such as rebate management.
• For each project, the rebate cannot exceed 50% of the total job costs, including equipment, installation, tax, etc. Confirmation of the total project cost is required.
• The Customer will receive their rebate after final program approval in 4 to 6 weeks.
• Any entity/customer cannot receive more than $50,000 for energy-saving rebates and $10,000 for water-saving rebates within the same fiscal year (October 1 - September 30).
• Any entity/customer cannot receive more than $25,000 for HVAC rebates and $10,000 for Mini Split System rebates within the same fiscal year (October 1 - September 30).