In the meanwhile, many companies already offer rebates for energy-efficient appliances and products purchases. For example, Gladiator GarageWorks offers rebates and other savings on products including an Energy Star-qualified refrigerator with a discount of $150 and free shipping, and a garbage compactor discounted $75, with free shipping.
For more information on product rebates and savings, visit Energy Star’s rebate locator Webpage.
Savings for Builders, Developers, Entrepreneurs
Tax Incentives: “Now is the time to act on energy-efficiency investments. These federal tax incentives will help businesses reduce their operating costs and improve their bottom line while also cutting carbon emissions to stabilize our climate,†says Steve Nadel, executive director of the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), a nonprofit organization that promotes energy efficiency.
The tax incentives for building with energy efficiency can apply across the board, from lighting to heating and cooling. For instance, buildings which save at least 50% of projected annual energy costs across all three system components, including lighting system, building envelope (which includes the interior and the exterior environments of a building), and heating, cooling, and water-heating equipment, are eligible for a tax deduction of up to $1.80 per square foot.
Also, builders of new homes manufactured through Dec. 31 that exceed national model energy codes by 50%, subject to certification, are eligible for a $2,000 federal tax credit. The credit is available for homes projected to save at least half of the heating and cooling energy of a comparable home that meets the standards of the 2003 International Energy Conservation Code.
Manufactured home producers that exceed national model codes by 30% or qualify for the federal Energy Star Homes program are eligible for a $1,000 credit.
For more information on applicable building standards and certification, visit TIAP’s Website.
Appliances and Products: Also, installing energy efficient appliances and equipment at your office or facility can save costs at a time when budgets are tight. For example, according to Energy Star, a business can save approximately $30 in costs over the life of an Energy Star-qualified compact florescent light bulb (CFL) and use 75% less energy by replacing standard incandescent bulbs. Qualified refrigerators and freezers can save more than 45% of the energy used by conventional models, which equals as much as $140 annually for refrigerators and $100 for freezers.
For more information on product and appliance savings, visit Energy Star’s Website.
Rebates and Savings Programs: There are several programs across the nation that offer incentives such as rebates on energy-efficient appliances and products purchased to replace old products. For example, San Diego Gas & Electric, a California-based energy services company, offers a Small Business Super Saver Program which provides cash rebates to eligible small businesses for energy-efficient upgrades such as lighting, refrigeration, food service, natural gas, and other technologies.
For a listing of similar programs in your state, visit the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE) Website.
Resources
Department of Energy Incentives Resources
Energy Incentives for Builders and Developers
Rebates and Other Incentives by State
Checklist Guide to Home Energy Savings
Energy Star Consumer Tax Credit Resources