The Great Energy-Efficiency Payback

Incentives to Upgrade and Save Money

by Brita Belli

The biggest obstacle to retrofitting our home with energy-saving upgrades and technologies—from storm win- dows to stellar insulation and rooftop solar panels—is often the cost. Even though we’re paying higher electric, gas and water bills due to leaks, drafts and outdated systems, these incremental penalties somehow seem more manageable than the upfront investment of installing say, a new geothermal heat pump. Fortunately, Americans today

have access to a range of federal and state incentives, loans, mortgages and tax breaks for those who want to im- prove their energy use while reducing the initial cost. It’s now possible to make everything from solar heating to efficient air conditioning or a new furnace more affordable. Find the latest federal, state and local utility deals listed online at dsire.org, a service of the U.S. De- partment of Energy.

1. Energy-Efficiency Tax Credit: En-

ergy-efficient water heaters, furnaces, boilers, heat pumps, air conditioners, insulation, windows, doors, roofs, circulating fans and biomass stoves are eligible for a 30 percent tax credit of up to $1,500. Expires December 31, 2010.

EnergyStar.gov/index.cfm?c=tax_ credits.tx_index

2. Renewable Energy Tax Credit:

Geothermal heat pumps, small wind turbines and solar energy systems are eligible for a 30 percent tax credit with no upper limit for existing homes and new construction. Expires December 31, 2016.

EnergyStar.gov/index.cfm?c=tax_cred- its.tx_index

3. Fuel Cells and Mi- croturbine Tax Credit:

Residential fuel cell and microturbine systems are eligible for a 30 percent tax credit of up to $500 per .5 kW of operating capacity for existing homes and new construction. Expires December 31, 2016.

EnergyStar.gov/index. cfm?c=tax_credits.tx_index

4. Federal Housing Adminis- tration Energy-Efficient Mortgages:

Through an FHA program, lenders can borrow up to 100 percent of energy efficiency improvement costs to add to an existing mortgage loan. Loan amounts cannot be greater than the projected savings the improve- ments will bring.

fha.com/energy_efficient.cfm

5. Conventional Energy-Efficient

Mortgages: Private lenders sell loans to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac that allow homebuyers to borrow up to 15 percent of an existing home’s appraised value for energy-saving improvements as documented by a certified Home Energy Rater (search for one by state at

natresnet.org/directory/raters.aspx).

Fannie Mae also lends up to 5 percent for Energy Star-rated new homes, in- cluding applicants who might not be income-qualified, by allowing lenders to adjust borrowers’ debt-to-income ratio by 2 percent. resnet.us/ratings/

mortgages/freddiemac/summary.htm

6. Energy-Efficient Appliances Rebate:

Consumers can receive rebates to purchase new, Energy Star-rated appliances

when they replace used appli- ances—including boilers, air condition- ers, dish- washers,

refrigerators and clothes wash- ers—using $300 million distributed through the government’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Start and end dates plus amounts vary by state.

EnergySavers.gov/financial/ 70022.html

Brita Belli is the editor of E

– The Environmental Maga-

zine, and the author of The

Complete Idiot’s Guide to Renewable Energy for Your Home.

Natural clay plaster

Plaster is a natural, environmentally friendly material, used in homes for thousands of years because of its strength and longevity. Its unrivaled beauty is now drawing the interest of

modern home owners, notes Armin Croft Elsaesser, president of American

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Clay Enterprises, LLC. Plaster’s beauty is more than skin deep, however. “Plaster controls moisture, absorbs odors and doesn’t attract dirt,” he says, “which makes it the workhorse of wall coverings.”

Learn more at AmericanClay.com.

Westchester/Putnam Counties

Plant-based wall coverings

Who knew that covering our walls with grass or coconut shells could produce such exquisite results? Papers, tiles and panels crafted from sustain- able plants and reclaimed agricultural waste will beautifully cover sections or Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56