New PG&E rebates have been added for 2012.

Our local utility Pacific Gas and Electric – PG&E has cash rebates and ways to go green and save money. Here are some PG&E Energy Efficiency Rebates:

• PG&E Energy efficient appliance $50 rebate – Qualifying Clothes Washers, Dishwashers, Room Air Conditioners, Water heaters – Expires December 31, 2012
• $35 back on Refrigerator or Freezer recycling, $25 on old Air conditioners
• Solar Energy rebates
• Up to $500 for Attic and Wall Insulation
• Up to $200 per 1000 sq ft of a Cool roof
• Up to $300 for Energy-Efficient Natural Gas Furnace
• $50 for Energy-Efficient Variable Speed Motor Air Handler System
• Up to $100 on Whole House Fan, up to $200 on Duct Sealing. Expires December 31, 2012
• Upto $100 on Variable speed pool pumps and motors. Expires December 31, 2012
• Home lighting – Discounted Home Lights

You can even submit PG&E Energy Efficiency Rebates requests online and then send in proof of purchase. Questions about PG&E Energy Efficiency Rebates, call 1-800-933-9555.

If you live in California, be sure to check out the up to $8000 Energy Upgrade California Energy Efficiency Rebate

Always check your local utility’s web site for rebates before you buy a new item. We recently bought a new dishwasher that had a $50 utility company rebate that was not advertised by the store. They fulfilled the rebate in only 2 weeks. Green your home and get cash back. Most rebates run through December 31 or while funding is available.

You can also call PG&E and ask for a Smart Home Rebate Booklet or check out their Flex your power website.

Federal Energy Efficiency Tax Credit

Be sure to also take advantage of the Federal Energy Efficiency Tax Credit. This Federal tax credit can save you money in addition to your utility companies’ promotions. It applies to many items including: Windows, Doors, Skylights – Wood Heat Stoves, Pellet Stoves, Fireplace Inserts – Energy Efficient Water Heaters – Solar panels.

Purcell Murray distributes appliances in California and has Bosch rebates, Thermador rebates, and rebates for other brands.

Plug in Electric Vehicle Discounts

Pacific Gas & Electric has a new E-9 rate plan for plug in electric vehicle or electric car owners. A second power meter may need to be installed for households in which their plug-in electric vehicle charging significantly impacts their daily energy usage.

Additional Resources for more information

Read our article: Ways to Save Energy, Money on your Energy Bill – It is full of tips to save you money.

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

Other Power Utility Company Rebates

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
Energy Efficiency Rebates for other locations.

PG&E Energy Partners Program – Free Products

PG&E has an Energy Partners Program that provides income-qualified customers free energy education, weatherization measures and energy-efficient appliances to reduce gas and electric usage.

They provide:

• Attic insulation
• Caulking
• CFLs
• Door weather-stripping
• Energy-saver showerhead
• Minor home repair
• Water heater blanket

Free Education and Assessment, Installation and Delivery, and Free Inspections.

You can contact them at 1-800-933-9555

PG&E Energy Efficient Rebates are another way to save money.

Also read: Save Energy and money on your energy bill.

I keep hearing Air Duct and Vent Cleaning commercials on the radio. Clearly it is a big business.  They brush and vacuum up each air duct and into each return where possible.  It is supposed to help remove dust, mold, etc especially helpful for people with allergies.

American Lung Association states:

“Duct cleaning has not been shown to prevent health problems, nor is scientific evidence currently available to conclusively demonstrate that particle (e.g., dust) levels in homes increase because of dirty air ducts. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency does not recommend that air ducts be cleaned routinely, but only as needed.”

They also have tips for improving Air Quality.

Be sure to read Fixing Leaky Ducts – Reducing Air Leaks