Transcript Slide 1

How to save on
your energy bill while
improving the environment!
Presented by COYLEAN SCHLOEGEL
WASHINGTON ST. TAMMANY ELECTRIC, COOPERATIVE
So how can I start saving?
There are three big ways residential consumers can
connect to energy savings through the stimulus:
Energy Efficiency
Tax Credits
Renewable Energy
Tax Credits
(2009, 2010)
(2009—2016)
Weatherization
Assistance
Program
Community Action
Committees
Weatherization pays!
Why is weatherizing (sealing air leaks, proper
insulation) your home important?
• Heating and cooling expenses
account for 43 percent of an
average home’s energy bill.
• The Department of Energy estimates
the average U.S. home could save
$358 a year in energy costs through
weatherization.
Average Home Energy Costs
Source: 2007 Buildings Energy Data Book, Table 4.2.1,
2005 energy cost data.
Common Household Air Leaks
RESULT?
“OK, I’m sold—making my
home more efficient is a
great idea!
But what if I don’t have the
money to make
the upgrades?”
Option 1:
Energy Efficiency Tax Credits
Energy Efficiency Tax Credits
Get a tax credit for up to $1,500 dollars on the cost of
insulating, sealing and weather-stripping your home.
• The credit is for 30 percent of the cost of qualifying
improvements made to an existing home in 2009/2010.
• There’s a $1,500 cap for BOTH years (can not receive
$1,500 in 2009 and another $1,500 in 2010).
• Use IRS Form 5695 to claim the credit and get a
Manufacturer Certification Statement for your records.
Energy Efficiency Tax Credits
How do I find out what qualifies?
• ENERGY STAR, a joint program of the DOE
and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, sets
efficiency guidelines for appliances, heating and
cooling systems, and more.
• A list of items qualifying for stimulus tax credits is
available at www.energystar.gov, keyword ‘tax credits.’
• NOTE: Not all ENERGY STAR models qualify for a tax credit!
Energy Efficiency Tax Credits
What part of the cost is covered?
• Installation costs are NOT covered by
the tax credit for windows, doors,
insulation, roofs.
• Installation costs ARE covered for
HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air
Conditioning) systems and
biomass stoves.
Energy Efficiency Tax Credits
Examples of what qualifies:
Exterior Windows,
Doors and Skylights
Must have a Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC)
and U-factor less than or equal to 0.30
Storm Windows
and Doors
When combined with the
window/door over which it’s
installed, it must meet the
International Energy
Conservation Code (IECC)
in your climate zone.
Energy Efficiency Tax Credits
Examples of what qualifies:
Metal, Asphalt Roofs
All ENERGY STAR metal and asphalt roofs qualify. Must
be expected to last 5 years or have a 2 year warranty.
Insulation
Primary purpose must be to insulate. For example, vapor
retarders are covered but insulated siding does not
qualify. Also must meet 2009 IECC and be expected to
last 5 years or have a 2 year warranty.
Energy Efficiency Tax Credits
Other qualifying upgrades:
• Central Air Conditioning
• Air-Source Heat Pumps
• Natural gas or propane furnace
• Gas, propane, or oil hot water
boiler & oil furnace
• Advanced main air circulating fan
• Select non-solar water heaters
• Biomass stoves
Remember
to check
ENERGY STAR
to see
guidelines!
Option 2:
Renewable Energy Tax Credits
Renewable Energy Tax Credits
Get a tax credit for 30 percent of the cost—no cap!—for
installing renewable energy generation.
• The credit is for 30 percent of the cost of qualifying
improvements made to both existing homes and new
construction between Jan. 1, 2009 and Dec. 31, 2016.
• There is no cap on the credit.
• Covers material costs and installation.
• Use IRS Form 5695 to claim the credit and get a
Manufacturer Certification Statement for your records.
Renewable Energy Tax Credits
Examples of what qualifies:
Geothermal
Heat Pump
All ENERGY STAR geothermal heat pumps
qualify for the tax credit.
Solar Water Heaters
All ENERGY STAR solar water heaters qualify
for the tax credit. Must be used in the home; not for
swimming pools/hot tubs.
Photovoltaic Systems
Photovoltaic systems must provide electricity for the
residence, and must meet applicable fire and electrical
code requirement.
Renewable Energy Tax Credits
Other qualifying generation:
• Residential Small Wind
Energy Systems
• Residential Fuel Cell and
Microturbine system
(up to $500 per .5 kW
of power capacity )
QUESTION:
Can I get an energy efficiency tax credit AND a
renewable energy tax credit?
• If you meet the criteria you can do that, but
these are not refundable credits—they can
increase your refund by reducing the taxes
you owe, dollar for dollar, and can be carried forward to
reduce your taxes in following years, but you don't get a
check for the credit amount.
• Other tax questions? Talk to your tax advisor!
Option 3:
Weatherization Assistance
Weatherization Assistance
Don’t have the money to make improvements? You might
qualify for the Weatherization Assistance Program.
• For households earning up to 200 percent of the national
poverty level, the federal Weatherization Assistance
Program provides an average of $6,500 in efficiency
upgrades (previously $2,500).
• For a family of four, that’s an income limit of $44,100.
• Must apply through local Community Action
Committee.
Weatherization Assistance
For families with more than 8 persons, add $7,480 for each additional person.
Members who qualify for the
Weatherization Assistance Program
may contact:
Louisiana Housing Finance Agency
2415 Quail Drive
Baton Rouge, LA 70808
Phone: 225-763-8700
Fax: 225-763-8710
The Weatherization Program contact is:
Darleen Okammor
Manager
Phone: 225-763-8700 ext 234
Email: [email protected]
Question: How can you save with
the stimulus?
Remember, there are three ways you can connect to
energy savings through the stimulus:
Energy Efficiency
Tax Credits
Renewable Energy
Tax Credits
(2009, 2010)
(2009—2016)
Weatherization
Assistance
Program
Community Action
Committees
But wait, there’s more!
Special Co-op programs
Washington St. Tammany Electric, Cooperative also
provides incentives for our members to make their
homes efficient!
• Example A
• Example B
• For special state rebates, check the Database for
Statewide Initiatives for Renewable Energy and Energy
Efficiency, www.dsireusa.org.
Questions?
Coylean Schloegel, Washington St. Tammany Electric, Cooperative
[email protected], 985.839.3562
www.wste.coop