What If You Could Get Paid For Making Upgrades To Your Home, Would You Do Them?
Many people out there do not want to have put money into a home which they are purchasing. People struggle having to pay insurance, taxes, utilities, repair other items, and the payment itself. Homeowners with older homes or a home in need of updating often do little improvements, a little at a time but do not do any research. Just because they haven’t heard of the programs that are out there does not mean that they are not available.
Between the government rebates and the utility company rebates available, there are many programs that will help you upgrade and make your home more energy efficient. Either way, you can receive monetary help for these upgrades and put money back in your pocket by lowering your energy costs month after month.
Lighting
Some of the utility companies help with discounted or even free light bulbs available through your local utility company or certified retailers. These light bulbs can save you up to 75% of the energy you use to light your home, last 15 times longer, and save you more than $230 per year. I think it is well worth the investment. Check the Energy Star Website here to see if this program is available in your area or check your local utility company’s website for more information.
Energy Star Appliances
Energy Star rated appliances can also help you qualify for additional rebates. Go to the energy star website by clicking here to see what appliances and areas there are rebates for energy star appliances. Products like refrigerators, freezers ,clothes washers and driers, pool pumps, ceiling fans, T.V.’s and even water heaters just to name a few! This is also available for commercial products! Click here to see the full list of products! An Energy Star rated appliance is designed to save you money, why not take advantage of it along with the program if there is one available in your area! Check the Energy Star Website here to see if this program is available in your area or check your local utility company’s website for more information.
Appliance Recycling
Do you have an old refrigerator in your house that needs to be replaced soon or a beer fridge in your basement or garage that is old or on its last leg? If it is older, chances are the old refrigerator is costing you more than you may think! If the appliance is in working order, consider recycling the appliance! My local utility will give me $50 for the refrigerator and come pick it up. Much easier than trying to find someone to purchase it! Check the Energy Star Website here to see if this program is available in your area or check your local utility company’s website for more information.
Smart Thermostats
Recently I purchased a smart thermostat for my home. My local utility company is giving a pretty sizeable rebate on this purchase of $100! This program normally requires you to have it professionally installed and I would recommend this if you do not know what you are doing. The rebate alone allowed me to get the thermostat for free and just spend 20 minutes of my time on the install. This thermostat has also reduced my energy usage from the furnace and air conditioner allowing me to save more money! Check the Energy Star Website here to see if this program is available in your area or check your local utility company’s website for more information.
Heating and Cooling
Have a heater or Air Conditioner old as dirt, needing to have maintenance all the time, or costing you a ton on your energy bills? Utility company sometimes offer incentives or rebates to help you make a decision to keep or replace your old units. My local utility company offers up to $1200 per unit to replace the old units! If you want to maximize your return from this program, I would say to locate the program before you have the work completed furnace or Air Conditioner you need to buy to see if the incentives outweigh the costs. Check the Energy Star Website here to see if this program is available in your area or check your local utility company’s website for more information.
Home Efficiency
Lastly, two more improvements that will help you save energy and qualify you for rebates are sealing your home from drafts and insulation! This unfortunately is not given to you but will be applied as a federal tax credit through energy star. Find out more by clicking here. Sometimes you local utility provider will match the tax credit or give a completely different amount all together. Check with your local utility company for more information.
Thank you for reading this post and visiting frugalfella. My advice to my readers would be to check around when making any upgrade or replacement of anything that uses energy or deals with the use of energy. Have a great day and as always, stay frugal my friends!
Great information!