Energy Rebates for Business Owners in Idaho
Enjoy savings when you improve the energy efficiency of your business.
You can receive incentives for improving the energy efficiency of your business. Many projects not only save electricity and natural gas, but other resources, as well. Be sure you meet program eligibility and guidelines for the rebate you are interested in.
Find your rebate
Expiration notice: Effective January 1, 2027, offerings in Idaho gas-powered homes and businesses are ending. Eligible projects must be completed by December 31, 2026. Applications and documentation must be received no later than January 15, 2027.
This change is happening because Idaho rules require energy-efficiency programs to provide enough savings to justify the cost of the program. At current natural gas prices, these Idaho natural gas rebate and incentive programs no longer meet that standard.
More information, including an FAQ, is available further down on this page.
Save big on commercial Food Service equipment with Avista's Foodservice Instant Rebates Program. Choose from a variety of qualifying products for a valuable instant discount on your invoice. It's easy - no paperwork or waiting.
| Rebate | Additional information |
Rebate form |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial lighting |
Pre-qualified rebates for the purchase and installation of common high-efficiency lighting equipment |
Download rebate form (PDF) |
| Site specific lighting | Custom rebate eligibility evaluations for less-common or industry-specific high-efficiency lighting projects |
View project worksheet (PDF) |
| Small Business lighting installation |
Lighting and controls assessments, equipment and installation for most commercial customers on rate schedules 11 or 12 |
Apply online |
Locate products that qualify for our lighting incentives:
Program Updates
- 2027 Annual Update (PDF) – October 1, 2026
- 2027 Commercial Lighting Updates (PDF)
If you have questions, contact your account executive or Rachelle Humphrey.
Save when you install qualifying energy-efficient HVAC and water heating equipment—and continue saving on your energy bills over time.
This program is designed to help grocery stores, supermarkets, convenience stores, and other customers with commercial refrigeration save money by reducing their energy use. View grocer program agreement.
The Green Motors Initiative program restores a motor’s original efficiency. Motors undergo a quality rewinding process referred to as a “green rewind”. This process extends the life and performance of existing motors, which can save your business time and money.
Eligible motors must be NEMA-rated and 15 hp to 5000 hp in size.
Participation is easy. You must be an Avista commercial electric customer. Simply take your eligible motor to one of the participating Green Rewind service centers listed below. The service center will perform the rewind and then apply an instant discount worth $1 per horsepower on your invoice. There is no paperwork for you to complete.
Participating service centers (as of 03/24/2025):
- Premier Electric Motors, 11705 N Warren St, Hayden, ID 83835, (208) 762-7736
For more information, please contact your account executive.
Avista is partnering with Columbia Electric Supply (CES) to learn more about the benefits of reducing air leaks in commercial and industrial compressed air systems. Our pilot program offers eligible customers free air leak assessment and repair.
The Pay for Performance program is an incentive program that pays customers for actual energy savings at the meter. Energy savings can come from building retrofits and equipment upgrades as well as from behavioral, operations and maintenance, and retro-commissioning activities. Pay for Performance pays annual incentives for all electricity/natural gas saved, rather than separate incentives for individual measures. Qualifying customers that implement whole-building energy retrofits will receive a set incentive rate for measurable savings that are achieved over the course of three years with incentive payments made at the end of each year. Incentives will be paid at .08 per kWh and 1.25 per therm. To apply for the Pay for Performance Program, please download the form (PDF).
Site-specific (custom) incentives are available for many energy efficiency projects that fall outside the parameters of our other prescriptive programs which result in verifiable energy savings. Incentives do not apply to behavioral modifications. The incentive is based on the first year energy savings in kilowatt-hours.
Avista offers incentives for projects with measure lives of ten years or greater based upon the simple payback of the individual project, relative to the current energy code or industry practice that is applicable to the project. Simple payback is defined as the incremental capital cost associated with the energy efficiency of the project divided by the energy savings per year. Energy savings are calculated using the current retail energy rates.
The incentives shall be as follows:
| Simple payback period |
Incentive level (cents per first year kWh saved) - Minimum measure life of 10 years |
| Under 15 years |
$0.23 |
| Over 15 years |
$0.00 |
| Measures | Simple payback period |
Incentive level (dollars per first year therm saved) - Minimum measure life of 10 years |
| Natural gas efficiency |
Under 15 years |
$3.50 |
| Over 15 years |
$0.00 |
Incentives will be capped at 70% percent of the incremental project cost for all projects with simple paybacks less than 15 years.
To be eligible for incentives, you need to contact Avista prior to purchasing any equipment or services. Site specific Incentives will not be paid on projects that are already under construction or that are being developed without Avista's involvement.
Avista Idaho natural gas energy-efficiency initiatives changing in 2027
Starting January 1, 2027, Avista's Idaho natural gas energy efficiency rebates and incentives for homes and businesses will no longer be available. This change affects rebate and incentive programs only and does not affect Avista's natural gas service.
This change is happening because Idaho rules require energy-efficiency programs to save customers more than they cost to operate. Natural gas prices are currently low enough that the possibility of additional savings from these programs no longer outweigh the cost of offering them.
The change applies to:
- Window and door rebates for single-family and multifamily homes primarily heated with natural gas
- Incentives for furnaces, boilers and water heaters and natural gas commercial foodservice equipment
- Incentives for qualifying site-specific natural gas efficiency projects
What you need to do
To qualify for a current Idaho natural gas energy efficiency rebate or incentive:
- Complete your project by December 31, 2026.
- Make sure Avista receives your complete rebate application and all required paperwork by January 15, 2027.
- For furnaces, boilers and water heaters and natural gas commercial foodservice equipment incentives, work directly with your contractor.
- Applications or documents received after the deadline will not qualify for the current programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is changing?
Beginning January 1, 2027, Idaho natural gas energy-efficiency rebates and incentives will no longer be available for new projects.
Why is this happening?
Idaho regulators require energy-efficiency programs to demonstrate that the savings they provide to customers are greater than the cost of offering the programs. At current natural gas prices, these programs no longer meet that standard.
Can I still apply for a rebate or incentive?
You may qualify if your project is completed by December 31, 2026, and Avista receives your complete application and required documents by January 15, 2027.
Does this affect my natural gas service?
No. This change only applies to Idaho natural gas energy efficiency rebates and incentives. Avista will continue to provide natural gas service.
Will these programs come back in the future?
Avista may offer natural gas energy-efficiency programs again if they meet Idaho’s cost-effective requirements in the future.
Why does this apply only in Idaho?
Avista serves customers in Washington, Idaho, and Oregon. Each state has different rules for utility programs. In Idaho, natural gas energy efficiency programs do not meet Idaho’s requirements for cost-effectiveness at this time.
Where can I get help?
For eligibility questions or application instructions contact: (509) 495-4728 or email rebates@myavista.com.