Frequently Asked Questions



ENERGY EFFICIENCY

REBATES

TAX INCENTIVES

ENERGY STAR™

MERCURY IN FLOURESCENT LAMPS

HOME ENERGY AUDIT



What does Energy Efficiency mean?

Energy Efficiency is simply doing the same thing for a lot less energy. You simply use better technology to save energy. You use less energy to get the SAME level of service, the same amount of; a) Heat for your home; b) light for your office; c) power for your factory and: d) all other electrical devices at home or work. You simply use BETTER technology to get the same level of service by using less energy.

You don’t have to change your behavior, the way you live or the way you run your business

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What does GREEN mean?

GREEN is the practice of increasing the efficiency with which you live in your home or how you run your office building, industrial complex or plant. Going green means achieving the three R's “Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle” It relates to how you use energy, water, and materials — reducing a building or home’s impact on human health and the environment by using better design, construction, operation, maintenance, and removal — the complete building/home’s life cycle.

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How do you become Energy Efficient?

By using BETTER technology to do what you do every day. For example, use Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFL’s) instead of an incandescent light bulb. You will get the same amount of light but using less energy to achieve the light. Use a low water showerhead or a programmable thermostat to control your air condition or furnace – all to achieve the same level of service but using less energy.

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What is a Utility Incentive Rebate?

A Rebate is a Partial refund of the total price paid for goods or services. Rebates and cash incentive are paid for completing energy-efficiency projects around your home or your business. They are PAID IN CASH/CHECK – not a credit on your electric bill unless you request it to be done and your local utility company provides for this option (not all utility companies provide for this option)

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Where do Rebates come from?

From you and me. The Utility companies all collect a small amount on all of our utility bills. If you live in California you’ll find at the bottom of your electric bill a line item called “Public Purpose Program” other states use different names. This money is collected and redistributed by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) back through those utilities. Other Utility companies collect the money in some similar manner and redistribute themselves back to you and business in the same way. But, it basically comes from you and me to incent residential and non-residential customers to become energy efficient.

California residents go to: www.fypower.org and type in your zip code. It will take you to your local utility company and you’ll learn what qualifies for a rebate and how much you can receive.

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How do I get this Rebate & how long does it take to receive?

When you visit your utility company’s website (In California go to www.fypower.org and type in your zip code)– you will click on either “Residential” (homes) or “Non-Residential”(businesses) and you will have a place to click on for rebates.

Fill out the easy to follow application and mail it to the utility company with proof of purchase of the product you purchased or installed.

Generally, it takes about four (4) to six (6) weeks after the completion of mailed application to receive your CASH rebate check in the mail.

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Who pays the Rebates?

Your local utility company will be the company that you will apply to for a rebate. Rebates are available for electrical, gas and water….check with your local utility company(s) to determine which portion of the rebate that they pay – electrical, gas or water – combined or all.

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How do I apply for a Rebate?

Each Utility company on their website will have two (2) listings. Residential. Non- Residential. Home owners, click on Residential and businesses click on Non-residential. You will find immediately links saying REBATES. Click on the rebate and you will find an easy form to fill out and mail in. Make sure you SAVE your receipts for products you purchased; it will be part of the rebate process.

Or you may be given an application directly by the seller of your Energy Star™ product, ask the dealer/seller who sold you the Energy Star™ product for an application.

You will also find Energy Saving Tips on the website for both Residential and Non-Residential customers.

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What qualifies for a Rebate?

In almost all cases products that have the ENERGY STAR™ label qualify. Each utility has products that they will pay you a rebate for. In some cases, they will pay you a special rebate to have the product remove and in most of these cases, the utility company will be the one that removes the product.

For example, a Gas company may pay you to replace a Washer and Dryer, Dish Washer or a Furnace. An electrical utility will pay you to replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent lamps (CFL’s) or install occupancy sensors.

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What type of Tax Incentives are available?

State and U.S. Federal Tax Credits are available for Energy Efficient products. Most products allow up to 30% of the cost of the installed product with a $1,500 cap. Plug-in hybrid electric articles are from $2,500 to $7,500 per vehicle. You need to check with your local utility company to determine what products are eligible for state and federal tax incentives.

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What qualifies for a Tax Incentive?

Typical products such as Water Heaters, Insulation for your home, Windows & Doors, Roofing, Solar energy Systems and Central air conditioning are a few. You need to check with your local utility company to determine what products are eligible for state and federal tax incentives.

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How do I apply for a Tax Incentive?

To apply and claim for a tax credit for energy efficient product you purchased in 2009, you will need to file the 2009 IRS Form 5695 and submit it with your 2009 taxes (by April 15, 2010). You can visit http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f5695.pdf and print a copy.

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What is Energy Star™?

Energy Star™ is an international standard for energy efficient consumer products. Most rebates and tax incentives require the product to carry the label of Energy Star™. Devices carrying the Energy Star™ logo, such as computer products and peripherals, kitchen appliances, buildings and other products, save 20%-30% on average over non-rated Energy Star™ products.

It is a mark of Better Technology to achieve Energy Efficiency.

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What is Mercury?

Mercury is a chemical element. Its symbol on the periodic table is Hg, and its atomic number is 80. It is a very poisonous silver-colored metallic liquid sometimes used instruments such as thermometers, thermostats and fluorescent lamps. It is required by law to be properly disposed of.

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Mercury in Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFL’s)

Most CFLs are designed to replace an incandescent light bulb and can fit into most existing light fixtures formerly used for incandescent light bulbs. There is an average of 4 milligrams of Mercury in a standard size CFL. That’s equivalent to covering the tip of a ball point pen. Mercury is an essential part of CFL’s-it allows the bulb to be an efficient light source. CFL’s are required by law to be disposed of properly.

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Mercury in 4 foot Fluorescent Tubes

Standard 2’ 3’ 4’ 6’ & 8’ Fluorescent tube lamps that are used in everyday homes and offices have Mercury and is an essential part of the tube to allow it to be an efficient light source. The standard 4’ fluorescent tube lamp, most commonly used in kitchens and offices, contains 12 milligrams of Mercury.

Fluorescent tube lamps are required by law to be disposed of properly.

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Disposal of Mercury in Lamps and Thermostats

The EPA recommends that consumer take advantage of available local recycling options for compact fluorescent lamps (CFL’s) and other fluorescent lights. You can go to www.epq.gov/bublrecycling OR www.earth911.org to identify local recycling options.

Thermostats with a glass bulb filled with Mercury that control air conditioning and furnaces have approximately 3 grams of Mercury (about 750 times a CFL). There are about 50 million thermostats in the U.S. They are required to be recycled by law and disposed of properly. You can go to www.earth911.org to identify local recycling options.

If your state of local environmental regulatory agency permits you to put used or broken CFL’s in the garbage, seal the bulb in two plastic bags and put it into the outside trash, or other protected outside location, for the next normal trash collection. Never send a fluorescent light bulb or any other mercury-containing product to an incinerator.

To clean up a broken CFL, sweep up – don’t vacuum- all of the glass fragments and fine particles. Then put everything into a plastic bag, and wipe the area with a damp paper towel to pick up whatever you may have missed earlier. Add the towel to the plastic bag, seal and take to an appropriate recycling center. You can also open a window to ventilate the room if the weather is right. Also, keep in mind that you if you have to handle a broken CFL bulb don’t do it with your bare hands – use rubber gloves.

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What is a “Home Energy Audit”?

A home energy audit is when a trained professional comes to your home to inspect everything in your house that uses or drains energy. They will not only check your appliances, but they will also check the cracks in your doors and windows, holes in your walls, insulation in your attic, and your basement's foundation.

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Most common problems revealed from an energy audit:

  1. Air leaks occurring around the house through electrical outlets; plumbing, heating and cooling pipes and wall cavities. Solution: sealing or caulking.

  2. Leaky windows or doors. Solution: sealing or weather stripping.

  3. Improper maintenance of furnaces, boilers and water heaters. Solution: Maintain according to manufacturer's instructions and have them routinely serviced by a professional.

  4. Lack of adequate attic insulation. Solution: Install batt or precut insulation or have insulation blown in by a professional.

  5. Air leakage from the attic access door. Solution: Have the door properly fitted and insulated.

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Why should I do a “Hone Energy Audit”?

Home Energy audits help homeowners identify energy losses and offer ideas to correct them. They are generally inexpensive and worth the small costs to conduct an audit. Auditors occasionally turn up potentially hazardous conditions, such as carbon monoxide leaks and asbestos insulation.

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What is a Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)?

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a United States federal social services (or welfare) program first established in 1981 and funded annually through Congressional appropriations.

LIHEAP offers one-time financial assistance to qualifying low-income households who require support in paying their home heating or cooling bills. Applicants must have an income less than 150% of federal poverty level or 60% of state median poverty level to be eligible, however some states have expanded their programs to include more households (for example, in Massachusetts, applicants must be within 200% of the federal poverty level).

In most states, the program is run on a first come-first served basis. This typically results in a rush to apply and receive assistance, because once the funding pool is empty most energy assistance offices close their doors. In some states, the legislature or governor may make a politically popular gesture of extending eligibility to additional individuals through an emergency bill or executive order, even though this may result in funds being claimed earlier in the winter season.

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