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Energy Management

ULT Freezer Energy Efficiency Rebate Program

Laboratory-grade ultra-low temperature (ULT) freezers operate at around -80℃, and conventional models can use as much energy as a house. Over the past few years, freezer manufacturers have developed new technologies that can reduce energy consumption by more than 75 percent without sacrificing performance or reliability.

Because high-efficiency freezers still have a higher price tag than conventional freezers, this program provides financial incentives for researchers to replace aging, inefficient freezers with high-efficiency models.

Download Flyer About Rebate

The ULT Freezer Energy Efficiency Rebate Program is now accepting new candidates for FY24. Eligibility is limited to NC State academic departments and NC State-affiliated researchers with laboratories on NC State Main, Centennial, and Centennial Biomedical Campuses.

To find out how to qualify follow the information and links below:

The ULT Freezer Energy Efficiency Rebate Program is now accepting new candidates for FY24. Eligibility is limited to NC State academic departments and NC State-affiliated researchers with laboratories on NC State Main, Centennial, and Centennial Biomedical Campuses.

To find out how to qualify follow the information and links below:

Larger freezers (>600L capacity) are rebated at a higher amount because they consume more energy than smaller freezers. Freezers that consume less than 0.30 kWh/day/cu-ft are also rebated at a higher amount.

Any freezer on the EnergyStar list consuming <0.30 kWh/day/cu-ftAny freezer on the EnergyStar list consuming 0.30-0.40 kWh/day/cu-ftVerified Disposal Of Old Freezer
>600 Liters capacity (21.2 cu ft)$3,500$2,500$1,000
<600 Liters capacity (21.2 cu ft)$1,750$1,250$500

To qualify for rebate, the ULT freezer purchased must be listed on the Energy Star Product Finder Lab Grade Refrigerators and Freezers webpage as a model consuming less than 0.4 kWh/day/cu-ft. (Since the EnergyStar database is updated frequently, we will no longer be listing the qualifying freezer models on this page.)

To motivate disposal of old freezers (rather than continuing to operate them in addition to the new one), Energy Management offers an additional incentive ($500 or $1,000 depending on freezer size) for the verified disposal of an existing freezer. This incentive is limited to one per new freezer. Whether the property is “traded in” with the vendor of the new freezer, or it is sent to NC State Materials Management as surplus property, the university’s procedures for trade-in (Transfer, Trade-in, or Sale of University Assets) and surplus (Surplus Property Services) must be followed. Provide paperwork verifying the disposal of the freezer as part of your rebate application. This should be either the Approved Trade-In Disposal Number or the Surplus Request.

Note: Simply transferring the freezer to another entity on campus does not qualify for the disposal rebate. The objective of the disposal rebate is to remove the old equipment from campus.

How To Participate

The ULT Freezer Energy Efficiency Rebate Program works as a multi-step process.

  1. Pre-Application Form:
    • Submit a separate Pre-Application Form for each freezer purchase.
    • Energy Management reviews for eligibility and fund availability.
    • Receive a Unique Rebate ID via email if approved. Move to step 2.
  2. Purchase Freezer:
    • Buy the qualifying freezer and pay in full.
    • Charge the purchase to an “equipment code” for asset tagging.
  3. Dispose of Old Freezer (if applicable):
    • Save disposal paperwork for the old freezer.
  4. Asset Tagging:
    • Capital Asset Management (CAMS) will contact your Departmental CAMS Coordinator within 4-6 weeks to tag the equipment.
    • If the freezer is valued at $5,000+, it will receive an asset ID and tag and become part of the department’s equipment inventory.
    • Consult your Departmental CAMS Coordinator if no contact is made within the timeframe.
    • Obtain the asset tag number before proceeding to step 5.
  5. Final Application Form:

Optional:

  • Send a testimonial and a picture of your lab personnel with the new freezer to save_energy@ncsu.edu.
  • By submitting, you grant permission for us to post it on our website to build interest in the program.

For further questions, please email save_energy@ncsu.edu.