GET MONEY FOR HOME EFFICIENCY

Getting the Most Cash Back From Your Green Home
January 12, 2010 (AP via NY Times)

"Under a $300 million federal rebate program that started last month, consumers can trade in their energy-sucking appliances for more efficient models, but there are other ways to save money while making a home more energy efficient.

"Most utilities, states and even some local governments offer their own programs to give homeowners a break when they buy new appliances, insulate, or install alternative energy sources like solar or wind power. The federal government also recently increased its two tax credits to help pay for more efficient heating, cooling and water-heating equipment, as well as wind, solar and geothermal systems and fuel cells…The programs run the gamut with some states funneling hundreds of million of dollars into certain programs and through utilities…DSIRE lists all available incentives and rebate programs by state on its web site…"

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"The greening of American homes saves consumers money, protects the environment and helps stimulate the broader economy. By adding more insulation to the attic and walls, for example, homeowners can cut their heating consumption up to half. And whether homeowners tackle projects themselves or hire professionals, that spending helps retailers, manufacturers and ripples through other industries.

"Of course, homeowners may still have to shell out thousands of dollars to make energy efficient improvements, and that might be a tough decision in lean times…Homeowners just don't have access to the cash they once did…[People in the home renovation business believe] the government should double the credit cap to $3,000 from $1,500 to motivate consumers…"

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"…New Jersey's Clean Energy Program [is] administered through the state's utilities…Since the program's launch in 2003, its funding and publicity have increased…[One New Jersey resident] spent $500 a month to heat her three-bedroom house…[got] an energy audit last February…discovered there was no insulation in the walls and only a tiny bit in the attic of the 1940s house…had professionals insulate the attic, basement and walls…[for] $5,300…[and] the state utility program is picking up about half that tab because Blank will cut her energy consumption by at least 25 percent…

"Utilities have long been the big funders of energy efficient programs, pouring about $3 billion a year into them…But [17] states offer rebates on energy-efficient products, 16 of them give personal tax credits for energy-efficient home improvements and eight exempt sales tax on certain environmentally friendly products like dishwashers, ceiling fans and programmable thermostats…Cities and counties are also playing key roles…These programs are all part of a larger public push to protect the environment…The revolution is happening one Energy Star appliance at a time."