UCSF ULT Freezer Rebate Initiative 2021-2024
Purpose: The purpose of this report is to provide a brief background of UCSF’s ULT Freezer Rebate Program and provide a summary of the total rebates paid out and the energy savings that resulted from the 2021 to 2024 program.
Background: For the past 10 years, UCSF has been conducting the Ultra Low Temperature (ULT) Freezer Rebate Project to reduce energy use, carbon emissions and utility costs. UCSF research laboratories own and maintain ULTs but do not directly pay for utilities. The Office of Sustainability and Facilities Services offer an incentive to laboratories that elect to replace their freezers with an efficient EnergyStar model. The freezer rebate program helps offset the additional cost to purchase a high efficiency freezer while supporting UC’s sustainability goals.
Program Funding: Beginning in 2021, the budget office allocated a budget of $300,000 over a 3-year period (see Appendix A for funding approval) to provide up to $6,250 in incentives to labs that replace their freezers. The program has rolled out funding of $100,000 per year for three years with the ability for funding to rollover. This funding has been successfully utilized through the incentive program to cover the cost of installation and unit purchase incurred by the laboratories. The following is a summary of the past 3-year funding cycle.
| Fiscal Year | Schedule | Actual | Remaining | PG&E Rebate | Funds Received | Total |
| FY2122 Expenses | $100,000 | $31,500 | $68,500 | ($4,900) | ($27,000) | ($31,900) |
| FY2223 Expenses | $100,000 | $141,250 | ($41,250) | ($21,700) | ($119,150) | ($140,850) |
| FY2324 Expenses | $100,000 | $127,000 | ($27,000) | ($4,200) | ($122,800) | ($127,000) |
| Balance | $300,000 | $299,750 | $250 | ($30,800) | ($268,950) | ($299,750) |
Energy Incentive Program 2021: 412395-5018-2017098
Program Results: UCSF enlisted 57 research labs across 26 buildings on campus and purchased 87 Energy Star units, which equates to an annual energy savings of 387,458 kWh, equivalent to the yearly energy use of 35 homes[1].
The team partnered with PG&E to receive rebates for the ULT freezers, and was provided with rebates for 40 units, equating to $30,800. Below is a summary of the program results.
| UCSF Funded Incentives ($) | PG&E Rebates Received ($) | Net Project Cost ($) | Total Annual Energy Savings (kWh) | UCSF Average Electric Rate ($/kWh) | Total Annual Energy Savings ($) | Payback (Years) |
| $299,750 | $30,800 | $268,950 | 387,458 | $0.253 | $98,027 | 2.74 |
