A new limited time PG&E energy efficiency rebate where you can receive up to $3,500 in rebates from PG&E’s Energy Upgrade California pilot program. Limited to first 500 homes. San Francisco, Berkeley, San Mateo County, and other parts of the SF Bay Area and Northern California are in the PG&E service territory.  SMUD of Sacramento has its own similar program.

Qualification:

• You must own a single-family home or duplex and be a PG&E customer.
• You must be current on property taxes and liens.
• The amount of the rebate you get is based on energy modeling software that shows how much energy your home will save after an energy upgrade remodel.
• A home energy audit which includes energy modeling must be completed by a certified energy auditor.
• The rebate amount is based on how much less energy your home will use after the energy upgrades. A minimum 20% energy reduction receives $2,000 in rebates. Each additional 5% reduction beyond that earns another $375, up to $3,500.  (see chart below)

California Building Performance Contractors Association is certifying contractors working within the EUC PG&E Home Performance programs.

Contact your local Home Energy Audit firm today.

• Hire a home performance firm to perform an energy audit of your home.
• Work with your specialist to choose and implement cost-effective improvements to achieve your desired energy use reduction.

Be sure to take advantage of the Federal Tax Credit too!

A reminder that there is a 30% upto $1500 Federal Tax Credit on Qualifying Furnaces and Boilers. If you have been thinking about replacing these items, you might as well upgrade now and save some money. Furnaces 15 years old or older can be replaced with much more efficient units. New models with electric ignition are the most efficient models.

Natural Gas or Propane Furnaces must have Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency or
AFUE >= 95% to qualify for the tax credit. Oil Furnaces and as, Propane, or Oil Hot Water Boiler must have AFUE >= 90%. Not all ENERGY STAR products will qualify for the tax credit.

Gas fired furnace list. Here is a list of qualifying oil furnaces and oil boilers. Also consider installing radiant floor heating instead of using a furnace.

Energy Star has a store location finder to help you find local dealers.

This credit reduces the amount of tax you owe for 2009. The credit is a reduction of total income tax at the bottom of your return, up to $1500. This tax credit is a non-refundable tax credit. Consult your tax adviser for details. Use it or lose it! Credit details.

Products must have been purchased between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2010.  Solar water heater purchases are covered through 2016.

The tax credit is an aggregate, i.e., the total $1500 can include other energy efficient items. For instance, if a consumer claims $900 on a qualifying item, then they will have the remaining $600 rebate available for purchases of additional energy saving products in the same tax year.

$1500 seems like the total credit for both 2009 and 2010 combined. Beware that those affected by the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) in 2010 may not qualify for the rebate unless Congress passes an AMT patch.

Double dip: Many local utilities provide financial incentives for purchasing ENERGY STAR qualified items. To find out if rebates or other incentives are available in your area, visit the ENERGY STAR Rebate Finder.

A reminder that there is a 30% upto $1500 Federal Tax Credit on Qualifying Gas, Oil, Propane Water Heaters as well as Electric Heat Pump Water Heater and Solar Water Heaters through 12/31/2010. If your water heater is on its last legs, you might as well upgrade now and save some money. New water heaters require less energy and time to heat water. Reduce waiting time between showers and doing laundry.

Gas, Oil, Propane Water Heaters must have Energy Factor >= 0.82 or a thermal efficiency of at least 90%.  Newer Hybrid water heaters are also available.

Consider an on demand Tankless Water Heater if your situation allows for it.  They need ready access to a good size gas pipe and exhaust vent for many models.

Electric Heat Pump Water Heater requirements are the same as ENERGY STAR: Energy Factor >= 2.0.

Solar Water Heaters are covered if at least half of the energy generated comes from the sun and the system is certified by the Solar Rating and Certification Corporation (SRCC).

AO Smith makes the Vertex 100 water heater that is very efficient but requires PVC pipe venting not normal metal venting. Also consider installing radiant floor heating instead of using a gas furnace as these newer water heaters support radiant heating.

This credit reduces the amount of tax you owe for 2009. The credit is a reduction of total income tax at the bottom of your return, up to $1500. This tax credit is a non-refundable tax credit. Consult your tax adviser for details. Use it or lose it!

Products must have been purchased between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2010.  Solar water heater purchases are covered through 2016.

The tax credit is an aggregate, i.e., the total $1500 can include other energy efficient items. For instance, if a consumer claims $900 on a new stove, then he will have $600 to purchase additional energy saving products in the same tax year.

If a taxpayer uses the entire $1500 tax credit on a competing product then they cannot use it for a biomass stove in that same tax year.

$1500 seems like the total credit for both 2009 and 2010 combined. Beware that those affected by the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) in 2010 may not qualify for the rebate unless Congress passes an AMT patch.

Double dip! Local utilities like PGE have their own rebates for Energy Efficient Appliances purchased in 2009.  PGE has a $30 rebate for energy efficient water heaters. Gas water heaters with Energy Factor 0.62 or greater or Electric ones with Energy  Factor 0.93 or greater.

Note: It is difficult to find larger sized water heaters with Energy Factor’s this high.

Be sure to check out our reduce water heater use, water saving tips and ways to save energy.

New rebates have been added for 2010.

San Diego’s power utility San Diego Gas and Electric rebates are here.  SDGE or SDG&E has a bunch of cash SDGE rebates and ways to go green for energy efficient refrigerators, older refrigerator recycling, attic or wall insulation, Central Natural Gas Furnace, dishwashers, Whole House Fan, water heaters, pool pumps and motors (Variable speed), room air conditioning, and more. You can print rebate forms out online and then send in proof of purchase.

Instant rebates are available select retailers including:

• B&B Appliance
• Costco
• Home Depot
• Humphrey Appliance
• La Mesa Appliance
• MCAS Miramar Home Center
• The Navy Exchange 32nd Street
• Phillips Maytag

Check your local utility’s web site for similar deals before you buy a new item.  Most rebates run through December 31.

We recently bought a new dishwasher that had a $50 rebate that was not advertised by the vendor. The rebate in only 2 weeks. Green your home and get cash back.

You can also call San Diego Gas and Electric at 800-411-7343 and ask about San Diego Gas and Electric rebates, SDG&E rebates, or SDGE Rebates.

Be sure to also take advantage of the 30% Federal Energy Tax Credit which expires 12/31/2010.

Ways to Save Energy, Money on your Energy Bill is full of tips to save you money.

Interested in Solar? Read our article Are Solar Panels for Me?

For Northern California Energy Rebates see: PG&E Energy Efficiency Rebates
For Southern California see: SCE Rebates or Southern California Edison Rebate for Energy Efficiency
For San Diego see: SDGE Rebates, SDG&E, or San Diego Gas and Electric Rebate for Energy Efficiency
Rebates for other locations.

New rebates have been added for 2010.

Southern California’s power utility Southern California Edison rebates are here.  SCE has a bunch of cash SCE rebates and ways to go green for EnergyStar refrigerators, $50 Old Refrigerator or Freezer rebate, Energy efficient Electric Water Heater, Pool Pump & Motor Rebate, ENERGY STAR Qualified Room Air Conditioner Rebate, Whole House Fan Rebate, Energy Efficient Evaporative Cooling Rebate, and more. You can print out rebate forms online and then send in proof of purchase.

SCE’s Operation Light Exchange allows residential customers to exchange halogen torchiere floor lamps and incandescent floor/table/desk lamps/night lights for new ENERGY STAR® labeled lamps.

Check your local utility’s web site for similar deals before you buy a new item.  Most rebates run through December 31.

We recently bought a new dishwasher that had a $50 rebate that was not advertised by the vendor. The rebate in only 2 weeks. Green your home and get cash back.

You can also call Southern California Edison and ask about an Southern California Edison rebate or SCE Rebates at 800-655-4555.

Be sure to also take advantage of the 30% Federal Energy Tax Credit which expires 12/31/2010.

Ways to Save Energy, Money on your Energy Bill is full of tips to save you money.

Interested in Solar? Read our article Are Solar Panels for Me?

For Northern California Energy Rebates see: PG&E Energy Efficiency Rebates
For Southern California see: SCE Rebates or Southern California Edison Rebate for Energy Efficiency
For San Diego see: SDGE Rebates, SDG&E, or San Diego Gas and Electric Rebate for Energy Efficiency
Rebates for other locations.