This article is part of a series that highlight steps you can take to improve the efficiency of your home. In previous articles we’ve talked about having a home energy audit completed, making weatherization improvements on your own, and the steps to take to hire a contractor for making upgrades that require the help of an expert.
All of these projects that make a home more efficient and comfortable cost money. Some improvements are relatively inexpensive, but others, such as heating upgrades, are an investment. The good news is that Thurston Energy, a program of the Thurston Economic Development Council (EDC), has a rebate program available which can help you make good investments to improve the efficiency of your home, reduce your carbon footprint, and make your home a more cozy and comfortable place to live. These rebates are limited, both in the time and total amount available, so you need to act now.
There are three different kinds of rebates available for home owners in Thurston County. Each rebate builds on the other, so the owner needs to start at step one the Thurston Energy HomePLUS Energy Evaluation.
1. $200 rebate off the Home Energy Audit:
This service helps homeowners identify their home’s energy performance and then offers cost-effective and often do-it-yourself solutions to reduce heating costs and make the home more comfortable to live it. The service is the Thurston Energy HomePLUS Energy Evaluation. The first step for property owners interested in having their home evaluated is to visit Thurston Energy’s website or to call 360-528-2112. Thurston Energy will connect you with a trained energy expert to evaluate your home’s energy performance, using high-tech diagnostics such as blower door tests and infrared photos that identify air leaks and heat loss. From that point a homeowner is given a numerical Energy Performance Score (EPS) as well as a cost-effective strategy to improve their home’s efficiency. This program is for Thurston County Residents, single family homes, duplex, or maximum of four contiguous units. This evaluation must be completed by April 30, 2013.
2. 30% Rebate for Weatherization, Up to $1,000. Weatherization includes: air sealing, insulation, whole house ventilation, and duct sealing. Once you’ve completed the Home Energy Audit, you’ll know if your home is losing energy and how it is losing energy. Now you can focus on making specific upgrades to improve the efficiency of your home. Some energy efficiency projects are simple and can be completed by the homeowner, other are more complex and may require the help of a contractor. The repairs that provide the highest return on investment are also the easiest and least expensive to complete and include replacing weather stripping and air sealing around the house in areas where air infiltrates into your home, such as around plumbing penetrations and windows and doors. Adding insulation to the ceiling and floor of a home is also important.
In order to qualify for the weatherization rebate, the first step is to have a Home Energy Audit completed by a certified Thurston Energy contractor. The improvements need to be completed by April 30, 2013. Visit Thurston Energy’s website for the paperwork that needs to be completed.
3. HVAC Improvement Rebate
Many homes have outdated heating systems that are expensive to operate. Take advantage of the HVAC rebate to update your system. Thurston Energy offers a rebate of 30% of the price paid, up to $1,000. This covers systems such as ductless heat pumps, high efficiency ducted-heat pumps, geothermal heat pumps, or 95% efficiency gas furnaces. In order to qualify for this rebate the proper steps need to be taken. First, have a Home Energy Evaluation. Next, have your home weatherized. Once both of those steps are complete, you can qualify for the HVAC improvement rebate. The HVAC installation must be completed by a Thurston Energy approved contractor. Call Thurston Energy or visit thurstonenergy.org for details.
Low Interest Loans through Thurston Energy and Local Credit Unions
For some people, coming up with the balance not covered by a rebate can be difficult. Thurston Energy has partnered with a few local financial institutions to make low interest loans (2.9%) available. More information can be found here.
For more information, contact Thurston Energy at 360-528-2112 or visit thurstonenergy.org.
