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According to published industry reports, between 2001-2013
household’s percentages of after-tax income spend on energy
has increased from 12 percent to 20 percent. Businesses and
organizations are experiencing similar energy cost increases
which limit business growth, hiring and stagnates the
overall economy.
Reducing the energy that your home consumes is a great
strategy to employ and obtain additional money to spend on
necessities such as food, healthcare, education, clothing,
shelter; and entertainment such as movies, sporting events,
traveling and for my cultured friends – partaking of art and
theater!
Reducing energy costs for businesses is extremely important
as well because with the additionally funds businesses can
hire more employees or invest in systems enhancements to
improve capability and maybe obtain a competitive advantage
in the space in which it competes.
Utility companies offer residential and commercial energy
efficiency rebate programs that provide home owners,
organizations, and businesses rebates to reduce the energy
usage of their homes and building that saves money.
According to Ted Ford, president and CEO, Ohio Advanced
Energy Economy, energy efficiency programs that were
required under the state’s clean energy laws –Senate Bill
22, (before SB 310 was recently passed) have netted Ohio
consumers more than $1 billion in savings to date, and will
result in more than $4.1 billion in savings over the life of
the program, according to reports filed by Ohio utility
companies with the Public Utility Commission of Ohio (PUCO).
Yes, the utility companies were required by law to spend
dollars to help citizens and businesses save money. From
2009-2012 utility companies (First Energy, AEP, Duke and
Dayton Power and Light) spent $456 million. This number
excludes dollars spent by Columbia Gas and other gas
companies in Ohio.
If you have not had an opportunity to take advantage of one
of the many energy efficiency rebate programs, I strongly
encourage you to do so quickly before the utility companies
begin to rolling back their programs as a result of SB
310*. It is has been reported that First Energy will roll
back its program significantly at the end of the year!
Yikes!
Here is an overview of some of the utility energy efficiency
rebate programs that currently exist:
1.
Columbia Gas (purchases must be pre-approved to be eligible
for rebates, and installed by certified contractors)
1.
Residential (including apartments)
a)
Energy Assessment: $50 (free if income-eligible) and
includes:
·
Programmable Thermostat
·
Showerheads: Free, with gas water heater
b) Rebates:
·
Wall insulation: $0.30-0.50/ft2
·
Attic Insulation: $0.30-0.75/ft2
·
Air Sealing: $30/air sealing hour
·
High Efficiency Heating System: $200-350 for installing high
efficiency natural gas furnace or boiler
2.
Small Commercial (<3000 ccf) (expires Dec. 31, 2016):
·
High Efficiency Heating System: $200 for installing high
efficiency natural gas furnace or boiler
·
Programmable Thermostat: $25
·
Duct Sealing: up to $250
·
Infrared fryers: $175
·
Programmable thermostat: $25
3) Medium-Large Commercial
(> 3000 ccf) (expires Dec. 31, 2016):
a)
Energy Assessment Rebate: 50% of assessment fee or $5000
b)
Implemented measures: Rebates up to 50% of any measure that
shows gas savings (up to 100K)
2.
First Energy: (purchases must be pre-approved to be eligible
for rebates, and installed by certified contractors)
1.
Residential (expires Dec. 13, 2015) (http://energysaveohio-home.com/residential-energy-audit/)
(including apartments)
a)
Energy Assessment: Free if min. 350 kwh reduction and
includes
·
Lighting: Free CFLs
·
Smart Power Strip: Free
·
LED nightlight: Free
·
Low-flow Showerhead, Kitchen/Bathroom Aerator: Free (with
electric water heater)
·
Pipe insulation: Free (with electric DHW)
b)
Rebates
·
Air Sealing: $0.10/kwh
·
Attic/Wall Insulation: $0.10/kwh
·
Duct Sealing: $0.10/kwh
·
Early Replacement: Heat Pump/Central AC: $0.10/kwh
c)
Appliance Rebates:
·
Energy Star Refrigerator: $25
·
Energy Star Clothes Washer: $50
·
Energy Star Room AC: $25
·
Energy Star Ceiling Fan/CFL Combo: $30
·
New Central AC: $150
·
HVAC Tune-up: $25 (tune-up of existing HVAC equipment)
·
Etc.
2.
Commercial (http://www.energysaveoh-business.com/hvac.html)
a)
Energy Assessment Rebate: 50% of assessment fee or $5000
b)
Implemented measures Rebates:
·
Lighting: 5-6 c/kwh reduced
·
Food Services
·
Traffic Signals
·
HVAC and Water Heaters
·
Custom (VSD, process, etc.)
·
Mercantile Program: rebates for completed previous energy
efficient retrofits
The list of rebate programs and how you obtain access to
enjoy the benefits may look a little daunting, however, PES’
resident expert, Andrew Nagy, is poised to help. Moreover,
you may be wondering how do you obtain the money to get the
work performed or purchase the energy saving equipment to
begin saving energy.
As mentioned in the previous ‘Energy & You’ column, Toledo
Lucas County Port Authority (TLCPA) has a terrific program
that provides financing for multi-family, commercial and
industrial buildings. Call 419-249-6552 or 419-260-1227 to
obtain information. (I strongly encourage small businesses
and churches to call immediately.)
Residential customers can obtaining access to energy project
financing by contacting the Toledo Community Development
Corporation, which offers financing for homeowners through
its D.E.E.P program. Call Toledo CDC at 419-255-7500.
If you would like more information and need assistance
navigating how to get started call 419-486-9273 or email
info@parker-energy.com.
The next column will review why utility rates are
increasing. |
