Smart Energy

Smart Energy is Ames Municipal Electric System's suite of energy efficiency rebate programs and educational information aimed at:

  • improving comfort,
  • reducing electric bills now and keeping rates low into the future,
  • improving the efficiency of our customers' energy use,
  • encouraging efficient utilization of a reliable electric system,
  • and reducing greenhouse gas emissions resulting from electric consumption.

Not sure where to start? The City of Ames recommends the following steps to reduce your energy footprint.

Step 1: Complete an Energy Audit

Understanding your home's energy consumption is the first step to reducing it. Listed are 3 ways you can understand your energy usage.

Step 2: Make your Energy Efficiency Improvements

After completing an energy audit, review the suggested improvements and make a list of your highest priority improvements. You may want to start with the low or no-cost projects.

Check out the videos below to learn more about heat pumps and other ways Ames residents can make improvements!

How do heat pumps help Ames residents?

What else can I do to make my home more efficient?

Step 3: Save!

Keep track of your utility bills to ensure that your efforts are paying off. Compare your usage to previous years' usage in the same season or month. Remember, the majority of our energy consumption comes from heating and air conditioning.

Make sure to take advantage of these ways to save:

Smart Energy rebates - Ames Electric customers are eligible for rebates through the utility, such as energy efficient HVAC systems, appliances, solar, electric vehicles, and more.

Rebates from other Providers - If Alliant Energy is your gas provider, you may be eligible for their rebates.

Federal Tax Incentives - Federal tax incentives are available for energy efficient upgrades and renewable energy generation like insulation, windows, doors, geothermal HVAC, solar PV systems, solar water heating, and more.

Step 4: Source from green energy sources

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