Cash for Appliances Continues, Over $25 Million Remaining
The California Cash for Appliances program, which previously only covered purchases made through May 23rd has been extended and will now continue until program funds are exhausted. The program has currently received over 29,000 applications, and remains replete with funds with over $25,880,000 left to dole out to new applicants. The program also allows customers to combine the cash for appliances rebates with any other incentives that might be offered in the region, making it a lucrative time to make the upgrade to an energy-efficient appliance.
For more details visit the website or simply check our rebate finder to locate all rebates in your area.
California Cash for Appliances Program Starts Thursday, April 22
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Modern, ENERGY STAR qualified appliances, cost much less to run than their older counterparts. (Image: California Energy Commission)
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Starting this Thursday, California residents can apply for rebates ranging from $50 to $200 for purchasing an energy-efficient room air conditioner, clothes washer, or refrigerator from a list of eligible appliances. The Cash for Appliances program, run through the California Energy Commission, is part of the federal stimulus effort aimed at improving efficiency. Rebates are expected to go quickly, and customers can find a list of eligible appliances at www.cash4appliances.org.
To be eligible, you must purchase the new appliance from a California retailer and it must replace an existing appliance, working or nonworking, of the same type. The old appliance must be recycled by a California Certified Recycling Facility. You can also purchase from one of the program’s platinum partners who will deliver and install the new appliance, and recycle the old one for free. Many utilities also offer recycling programs (including recycling incentives), and the Cash for Appliances rebates can be combined with other utility rebates to maximize your incentive.
Rebates will be available on a first-come first-served basis for purchases made between April 22 and May 23. The claim form must be mailed in within 30 days of purchase. The form must include proof of purchase, proof of recycling, a copy of the yellow Energy Guide Label from the new appliance and a copy of a recent utility bill to prove you live in California. For more details visit the website or simply check our rebate finder to locate all rebates in your area.
Refrigerator Recycling Catches On, SMUD Offers $30 Rebate Through December 31
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Recycling an old refrigerator can save enough energy to power a typical home for 45 days (Photo: ENERGY STAR)
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Programs that allow homeowners to trade in their old refrigerators or freezers in exchange for cash rebates are spreading quickly across the country, with many programs offering $30 or more per unit. Refrigerators consume about 18% of all electricity in a typical Californian home. If you have an old refrigerator made before 1990, it could be using up to three times as much electricity as a new one and emitting ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbons. In contrast, switching to an ENERGY STAR qualified model could save you up to $100 per year in energy costs. Replace a fridge from the 1970’s and you’re looking at up to $200 in annual savings. The trade-in programs are also critical in preventing energy-guzzling refrigerators from simply ending up in the garage or basement where they continue to draw power.
California has long been a leader in providing appliance rebate programs, but now the practice is catching on elsewhere with recent programs starting up in New Jersey, Vermont, Rhode Island and Massachusetts. As evidence of the trend, a prominent refrigerator and freezer recycler, Jaco Environmental, says that their company now works with 45 utilities in 21 states, up from about 15 utilities in 10 states just three years ago. Under Vermont’s program, Jaco Environmental will reuse about 95 percent of the appliances’ content.
In California, many utilities offer trade-in programs and low-income refrigerator exchange programs, including a trade-in program from the Sacramento Municipal Utility District that is scheduled to run through December 31, 2009. These and other incentives can be found using our zip code rebate finder.
California Eligible for $35 Million for Appliance Rebates
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recently announced $300 million in Recovery Act funds to finance state-run rebate programs for consumer purchases of new ENERGY STAR qualified home appliances. The largest state in the program, California, is eligible for $35 million, and will have the flexibility to choose which appliances are included for rebates as well as the rebate amount for each appliance. The DOE recommends that states and territories focus their program efforts on heating and cooling equipment, appliances, and water heaters as these products offer the greatest energy savings potential. Specific targets include: central air conditioners, heat pumps, boilers, furnaces, room air conditioners, clothes washers, dishwashers, freezers, refrigerators and water heaters.
To be eligible, states must submit a preliminary application by August 15, 2009, followed by a full application due October 15. The DOE anticipates that a vast majority of the funds will be awarded by November 30, 2009. In the meantime, California already offers a cornucopia of rebates and other efficiency programs, and will ideally be able to use the forthcoming funds to augment these programs and maximize efficiency benefits for Californians.
Home Energy and Water Savings Kit from SDG&E
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| A low-flow showerhead and aerators are included with every kit. |
San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) and the San Diego County Water Authority are teaming up to encourage energy and water conservation by offering no-cost Home Energy and Water Savings Kits that you can easily install in your own home. The kits contain one low-flow showerhead, one faucet aerator for your kitchen and two faucet aerators for your bathrooms. Once installed, low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators can cut up to 11 percent of your water usage, which will help reduce your energy and water bills.
“Energy and water savings go hand-in-hand because households use quite a bit of energy to heat the water they use,” said April Bolduc, spokesperson for SDG&E. “This partnership with the San Diego County Water Authority will help our customers save money.”
The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) offers a similar program for its residents, providing showerheads, aerators, and toilet flappers along with a no-cost water-wise evaluation. California residents who live outside of SDG&E or SFPUC territory may be able to find similar offers by checking our rebate finder.
To order a kit from SDG&E, visit sdge.com/energykit, or call SDG&E’s Energy Information Center at 800-644-6133.
To schedule a no-cost water-wise evaluation from the SFPUC or to obtain water-saving devices, visit their site or call 415-551-4730.
Energy Audits For California Businesses and Schools
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Some great programs are available for schools including the California Preschool Energy Efficiency Program (Photo: CPEEP)
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Energy audits are one of the best ways to get started on cutting your energy bills, and fortunately, California utilities offer a multitude of no-cost and low-cost audits for businesses and schools. These energy-saving resources can be found in most regions across the state and are just a few of the services that may be available in your area:
Northern California-Specific
Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) offers no-cost audits to nonresidential customer facilities. Special audits are also available for food service facilities in the Bay Area, and for small to medium wineries in PG&E territory, while the LodgingSavers program offers no-cost surveys for all lodging properties. San Francisco businesses can also obtain a no-cost water efficiency audit through the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission.
Southern California-Specific
Southern California Edison (SCE) business customers can obtain a no-cost online audit and large business customers can request a technical consultant to conduct more targeted evaluations. Small business customers in San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) territory may be eligible for an HVAC equipment audit through ADM.
Retrocommissioning
The PECI retrocommissioning (RCx) program is available to all PG&E and SDG&E commercial and institutional customers, and offers a no-cost building screening as well as other services to help participants save 5-20% on their energy bills. SCE offers a similar RCx program for their large business customers.
Schools
The Bright Schools Program, sponsored by the California Energy Commission, helps schools identify cost-effective energy saving opportunities through energy audits and project design assistance. All publicly funded California K-12 school districts and non-profit K-12 schools are eligible and services are usually no-cost.
Center-based child care and preschool facilities in the SCE and PG&E service areas can receive grants for energy audits and retrofits through the California Preschool Energy Efficiency Program (CPEEP).
Remember, the audits listed above are only a few of the many programs and services offered throughout California. You can find a more extensive list by quickly entering your zip code in our rebate finder to find the programs, incentives, and services that fit your needs.
No-Cost Efficiency Programs for Industrial Customers
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Imageworksphoto.com / Southern California Gas Company
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The industrial sector in California spends more than $15 billion annually to operate manufacturing systems and equipment. Fortunately, many no-cost programs are available all across California to help your facility save energy and money. One great example is the Industrial End User Program from the Southern California Gas Company.
The Industrial End User Program is a no-cost service that can provide industrial customers with site visits and assessments, expert analysis, consultations about rebates and incentives, software tools and more.
The program has already helped companies save a total of four million therms of gas a year. Success stories include Tamco Steel which saved about $2.8 million per year, and White Wave Foods which saved about $100,000 per year. The bottom line: if you are eligible (if you are an existing industrial customer and you use 400,000 therms a year or more), this program could help you save loads of money.
Happy Tax Season: Tax Breaks for Green Home Upgrades
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| Photo: Flickr |
Tax season has arrived, and with it, another reminder that going green can save you cash. The U.S. government is offering tax breaks of up to $1,500 or more to homeowners who decide to green up their homes with energy efficiency measures in 2009 and 2010. Read on for a rundown of the tax breaks you may receive for upgrading your house in the next two years, and get started:
- Exterior Windows and Skylights
As long as the U factor and the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient exceed .30, you can claim 30% or up to $1,500 dollars on new exterior windows and skylights.
- Storm Windows
You can get a 30% or up to $1,500 dollar tax break on your storm windows, but they must reach Internal Energy Code Conservation Standards for your climate zone. This is in conjunction with your exterior windows. Make sure to ask for a Manufacturer’s Certification Statement when you purchase storm windows.
- Exterior Doors
As long as the U factor and the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient exceed .30, you can claim 30% or up to $1,500 dollars on exterior doors.
- Storm Doors
You get the same deal on storm doors that you get on storm windows. All standards and certifications are the same.
- Metal or Asphalt Roof
By installing an ENERGY STAR qualified metal or asphalt roof, you can reclaim 30% or $1,500 dollars. Your roof must be expected to last five years (it should last longer) or have a two-year warranty.
- Insulation
If your insulation meets 2009 IECC standards and is expected to last five years or comes with a two-year warranty, you can reclaim 30% or $1,500 smackers. In California, about one-third of residential energy bills go to home heating and cooling. Take advantage of this one.
- Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps
You can get a 30% rebate, up to $1,500, on your air conditioner or heat pump if it meets certain qualifications.
- Furnaces and Boilers
The infamous 30% rebate, up to $1,500, is back again for furnaces and boilers. You’ll also find advanced main air circulating fans on that list. As long as the fan uses no more than 2% of your furnace’s energy, you are qualified for a 30%, up to $1500, tax break on that as well.
- Water Heaters
All oil, gas and propane water heaters are entitled for the ubiquitous 30%, up to $1500, tax break if they have an energy factor greater than .82 or have 90% thermal efficiency. All Energy Star electric heat pump water heaters are qualified for the same tax break.
- Solar Water Heating
You can reclaim up to 30% of the cost on your solar water heater. There are, however, strings attached.
Experts also advise getting an energy audit before you install your upgrades to maximize your savings. You can learn more about federal tax credits for energy efficiency at energystar.gov.
California Utilities Help Customers Save with Efficiency Training Programs
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The foodservice equipment center allows customers to test drive energy-efficient equipment (Image: Southern California Gas Co.)
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While California businesses collectively spend more than $15 billion per year on heating, cooling, lighting and other energy uses, much of these costs are easily avoidable. Fortunately, California’s utilities provide a variety of programs to help customers cut costs and save energy.
The Energy Resource Center, operated by Southern California Gas Co. (The Gas Company), has experienced tremendous success with its energy-efficiency education and training programs, with 2008 marking its most popular year yet. The Downey-based facility offers seminars and equipment demonstrations which are currently helping thousands of business customers learn how energy efficiency reduces costs and helps the environment. In the past year, topics included industrial waste heat management, boiler system efficiency, foodservice appliances, heating, ventilation and air conditioning, and energy-efficiency software for new and existing business processes.
The facility also houses a foodservice equipment center, which features one of the largest collections of commercial cooking equipment in the country. Restaurant and other foodservice customers are invited to test drive the equipment, helping customers to make better purchase decisions while learning the benefits of energy-efficient equipment.
The Gas Company also provides information about money and energy-saving rebate and incentives programs, and plans to hold its Fourth Annual Energy-Efficiency Expo May 19 at the Energy Resource Center.
Explore training classes offered by your local utility. Most classes are no-cost:
Los Angeles to Distribute Free CFLs to All Households
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Image: Flickr
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The City of Los Angeles is launching a citywide program to distribute two free compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) to all 1.2 million households in Los Angeles as part of ongoing efforts to reduce the City’s carbon footprint. The free light bulb program is projected to save up to 240 GWh of energy and 131,000 metric tons of CO2 each year - the equivalent of taking approximately 24,000 cars off the road or enough energy to power 40,000 homes for a year.
The program is projected to save $61.3 million in fuel costs for generating electricity and will save $68 per household on energy bills over the lifetime of the bulbs. Replacing two traditional incandescent light bulbs with CFLs will avoid the burning of 800 pounds of coal and its associated emissions.
On May 15, 2007, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa unveiled GREEN LA - An Action Plan to Lead the Nation in Fighting Global Warming. GREEN LA sets Los Angeles on a course to reduce the City’s greenhouse gas emissions 35% below 1990 levels by 2030, going beyond the targets of the Kyoto Protocol and representing the most ambitious goal of any large U.S. city.
