Xcel offers $150 towards central A/C tuneups (with caveats)

Xcel Energy is offering residential electric customers in Colorado a "potential" $150 subsidy on a central A/C tuneup, which -- if you qualify -- can go a long way towards covering an A/C tuneup service. As with most such programs, however, there are caveats (the following is stolen from Xcel's website):

• First: Your A/C unit's efficiency must be "improved by 10 points" or more in order to qualify. (Points are based on an Efficiency Index (EI), which establishes the efficiency of your AC system before and after the tune up is completed.)
  
  
• The Central AC Tune up program is available to Xcel Energy residential electric service customers in Colorado.
  
• Eligible equipment includes residential central air conditioning systems that are at least five years old and are in working condition. Please note that heat pumps, window units, ductless mini-split systems (AC and heat pumps) and rooftop units do not qualify for this program.
• An Xcel Energy sponsored tune up has not been performed in the past 5 years.
• The AC Tune Up service must be completed by an Xcel Energy registered Technician between March 15, 2010, and October 15, 2010, to be eligible.
• The outdoor ambient temperature must be 55 degrees F or warmer in order to perform the tune up

Further, if you qualify for the $150, the money will be paid directly to the contractor, not to you, so it's not really a rebate program but rather a subsidy program. Caveat emptor on whether the $150 credit makes it onto the technician's invoice.

However, despite some hoops to jump through and definite uncertainty as to whether you'll qualify for the discount until the service is actually completed, it's never a bad idea to get a central A/C system serviced to maximize its efficiency. In many houses a central A/C is the single largest user of electricity, so even relatively minor improvements in efficiency can make a big difference in energy usage. If you have a system that's a few years old you're likely to recoup the cost of the service in a year or less anyway, so the $150 is just a bonus from that perspective.

Go here to see the Xcel web page detailing this program, including the list of authorized contractors for this program; you are required to use one of these contractors to be eligible for the $150 subsidy.