Green EnergyEnergy that fits in with the ecosystem

My Journey to Energy Efficiency

You may have read my blogs, listened to me on the Home&Yard Radio Show or read my columns in the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle regarding new Federal tax credits available to homeowners who are considering a home improvement designed to increase energy efficiency.  To re-cap, in February of 2009, President Obama signed a stimulus bill (The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009) that made some significant changes to the energy efficiency tax credits.  In brief,

* The tax credits that were previously effective for 2009, have been extended to 2010 as well.
* The tax credit has been raised from 10% to 30%.
* The tax credits that were for a specific dollar amount (ex $300 for a CAC), have been converted to 30% of the cost.
* The maximum credit has been raised from $500 to $1500 for the two years (2009–2010). However, some improvements are not subject to the $1,500 maximum.
* The $200 cap on windows has been removed

Tax credits are available at 30% of the cost, up to $1,500, in 2009 & 2010 (for existing homes only) for:

* Windows and Doors
* Insulation
* Roofs (Metal and Asphalt)
* HVAC
* Water Heaters (non-solar)
* Biomass Stoves

More specific information on these tax credits is available on the Energy Star website, www.energystar.org

I am writing today and will continue to post on this topic about the many questions I receive from consumers wondering where their tax credits would be best spent.  I am finding that many folks would like to take advantage of these tax incentives along with low interest loans and the many ways that home improvement companies are making their products and services more affordable.  All good questions, ones I have had as well.

Knowing that we would like to use this opportunity to increase the value and efficiency of our own home, my husband and I embarked on a mission to identify where our home was losing energy and determine which improvements would make the most sense financially, give us a decent return on our investment and increase our comfort level.  We have a beautiful bonus room, but are unable to enjoy it when the temperature spikes above 80 degrees or dips below 30 degrees, which seams to make up most of a year here in Rochester.  In my upcoming posts and articles, I would like to “open up my home” and share with you my experiences on my journey to energy efficiency.

My husband and I and our two children live in a 3,000 square foot home in Webster, NY.  We purchased our home, which was built in 1999, in July of 2004.  It’s was a newer home with all original mechanics like furnace and A/C, hot water tank, windows and appliances.  When we moved in, we replaced the kitchen appliances with Energy Star rated ones and installed a new Energy Star washing machine and clothes dryer.

Just a season later, we realized we might have some more work to do.  The bonus room, mentioned earlier, was set up to be my home office.  My productivity quickly decreased when I was unable to type by the end of December due to my fingers freezing at the keyboard.  Winter weather soon brought an enormous ice damn to the roof above that very same room and spring gave way to melting ice and some minor damage to the ceiling and walls beneath.  Over the years, our utility bills have ranged upwards of $400.00 dollars during the heating season and in the $250.00 range in the summer months.  Having a knowledge of home improvement in general, my first inkling was that our home, as many others are,  was under insulated.  Perhaps though, my heating and cooling equipment was under sized?  Maybe the windows were not of high quality or could it be a combination of all of the above?

The first step in our journey was to have a home energy audit performed.  Knowing about the tax stimulus rebate increase and low interest loans available, we decided that 2009 was the perfect time to embark on our mission.  After learning more about the process and shopping out a few local companies who were qualified to perform such an audit, we scheduled our appointment and awaited the report.  This past June we had our audit, we were revealed the findings and have recently signed a contract with a local company to have our home energy updated and corrected.

Please join me by checking back to this blog often, as I take you with me, step by step on my journey to energy efficiency.  Thursday’s post will explain the audit process.  And be sure to tune into Home and Yard Radio this Saturday 7/18 at 10:00am to hear the inside scoop on the Hartmann home in Webster, straight from the auditor’s mouth!  Don’t forget to call in with your questions 585-222-6397.

Thanks for reading,

The Fixie Chick

About the Author

Tune into Home&Yard;Radio with the Fixie Chick Saturdays at 10:00am on 950 ESPN for more must have information for your Home & Yard!
Women owned businesses. DIY Home Improvements. Look at my other businesses: http://www.fixinchix.com & Healthy homes of Rochester http://www.healthyhomesofrochester.com
Well save you money on your home’s energy costs.

Brenna Hartmann also writes for the Democrat and Chronicle’s Living Section in Rochester, NY. In addition she writes monthly for The Property Source Magazine and the Home and yard Handbook which she was the founder and since has sold the handbook entity in order to spend more time with her family and children.

Websites were developed by www.coynetechsystems.com contact them for all your web development and hosting needs.

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