If you haven’t done so, now is the time for your annual home maintenance.
Air Conditioning Filter Change – Replace Filters Monthly to improve energy costs and air quality.
Air Conditioner Inspection – Have you’re a/C inspected by a licensed HVAC mechanic to ensure top efficiency. Don’t wait until it reaches over 100° and your system isn’t working.
Roof Insulation & Ventilation – Property insulated and ventilated attics reduce heating and cooling costs. Make sure attic, vents and soffit are running, open and clear of debris.
Gutters – Clean debris out of gutters; repair any loose or leaking gutters which cause water damage to soffits.
Grout & Caulking: Check grout around sink, tubs, showers, windows and doors. Replace if damaged to protect material behind the walls from water damage and mold growth.
Dryer Vents – Clean out your dryer vent from lint accumulation. Built up lint can keep dryers from running efficiently, drives up energy costs and can cause fires.
After doing a little research, we have located short cuts to assist you in obtaining your Solar Energy & Energy Efficiency Rebates for the Greater Sacramento Area:
PG&E Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program
Rebates for Qualifying Products:
Clothes Washer – $50.00
Dishwasher $50.00
Room Air conditioner $50
Variable Speed Motor Air handler System $50.00
Whole House Fan $100
Pool Pump Replacement $100
Refrigerator, Freezer & Room AC Recycling $25-$35
Natural Gas Furnace $300
Duct Sealing $200
Roseville Electric – Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program
Utility Rebate Program – Expires 12/31/10 or until funds depleted
Clothes Washers – up to $75
Refrigerators – up to $100
Heat Pumps – $200/unit
Central Air Conditioners – $550 to $750/unit
Pool Pumps – $400
SMUD Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program
Utility Rebate Program – Expires 12/31/10
Appliances must be ENERGY STAR rated
Duct Sealing $300
Central Air Conditioners $400, $500, $650 or $1,100 depending on efficiency
Clothes Washer – $35, $75 or $125 depending on efficiency
Cool Roof $0.10 – $0.20 per square foot
Dishwasher $30 or $50 depending on efficiency
Heat Pump $400 or $500 depending on efficiency
Refrigerator Recycling $35
Whole House Fan $100
CFL Light: reduced prices at retailers
California – Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program *
Utility Rebate Program – Expires when funds are exhausted
http://www.cash4appliances.org/consumers/Rebate-Form.pdf
Refrigerators $200
Clothes Washers $100
Room Air Conditioners – up to $50
Dishwashers $100
Freezers $50
Water Heaters $300-$750
HVAC $500-$1000
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Equipment must be replacing older, less efficient equipment. The appliance that is being replaced must be recycled, and the program participant must provide evidence that the old appliance was recycled.
Solar Incentives
Federal Incentives – Tax Credit 30% of
State Incentives – Property Tax Exemption
Local Incentives – Rebate from local utility company (see your local utility provider)
SMUD – Solar Rebate Program
Photovoltaic – $1.90 per AC watt
http://www.smud.org/en/community-environment/solar/Pages/index.as
www.smud.org/rebates/
Solar Water Heat $1,500 – per system
Federal Tax Credits for Consumer Energy Efficiency
www.energystar.gov/taxcredits
30% of cost up to $1,500 – Expires 12/31/10
Must be an EXISTING HOME & YOUR PRINCIPAL RESIDENCE. New construction and rentals do not qualify.
Biomass Stove
Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning (HVAC)
Insulation
Roofs (Metal & Asphalt)
Water Heaters (non-solar)
Windows & Doors
30% of cost with no upper limit – Expires 12/31/16
Existing homes & new construction qualify. BOTH PRINCIPAL RESIDENCES and SECOND HOMES QUALIFY. Rentals do not qualify.
Geothermal Heat Pumps
Small Wind Turbines (Residential)
Solar Energy Systems
30% of cost up to $500 per .5 kW of power capacity – Expires 12/31/16
Fuel Cells (Residential Fuel Cell and Micro turbine System)
With utility costs on the increase, homeowners and businesses are making the move towards solar energy. We know that solar energy is a good thing, but we don’t always know why.
Advantages
- Government financial incentives available
- No fuel required
- Savings on your utilities are noticed immediately and for many years to come
- Energy from the sun is virtually free
- Solar energy is clean, sustainable and renewable which helps protect our environment
- Solar energy doesn’t release carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, sulphur dioxide or mercury into the air like most traditional forms of electrical generation does
- Contributes to the decrease of harmful greenhouse gas emissions
- Solar energy is generated where it is needed and can be utilized to offset utility-supplied energy consumption
- Continues to supply energy to your home in the event of a power outage
- Virtually maintenance free and will last for decades
- No additional recurring costs after installation
- If additional energy is required, you can add additional panels
Disadvantages
- Initial upfront costs to install
- Solar panels require a large area for installation to achieve a good level of efficiency
- Efficiency of the system relies on the location of the sun; however this problem can be overcome with the installation of certain components
- Production of energy is effected by the presence of clouds
- No energy will be produced during nighttime although a battery backup system and/or net metering will solve this problem
- Pollution can be a disadvantage as it can degrade the efficiency of photovoltaic cells
- Appearance
As you can see, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages for installing solar energy and with all of the government incentives now may be the time for you to consider solar energy.
Check back for the next blog on Government incentives available for Solar Energy products.
If you haven’t done so, now is the time for your annual home maintenance. 
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