Tax incentives and rebates offered by both the state and federal government could help make your home more energy efficient without breaking the bank.
United Illuminating Program Manager Jenn Parsons suggests consumers take a look at their water heating system and consider switching to a heat pump water heater.
“Water heating accounts for about 20 percent of your energy use in your home,” said Parsons.
Heat pump water heaters are up to 50 percent more efficient than traditional electric storage water heaters because they use a different heat source.
“It’s taking heat from the air and (using it) to heat the water, instead of heating the cold water from the city line at the temperature it comes in at,” said Parsons.
Right now, consumers can receive a $300 federal tax credit and a $300 instant rebate, bringing the price down to roughly $1,500.
But as Eversource spokesperson Mitch Gross points out, even the latest technology won’t help much if a house isn’t efficient.
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He suggests getting a $99 home energy assessment through Energize CT.
“Certified techs come in and basically give your house a top to bottom assessment,” said Gross. “They check to see how efficient your heating and cooling systems are. They make adjustments. They do weather-stripping. They do caulking.”
Doing so makes consumers eligible for another rebate, this time for the cost of a Wi-Fi thermostat.
“Wi-Fi thermostats are great because you can control the temperature in your house from pretty much anywhere,” said Gross.
The rebates for both the Wi-Fi thermostat and the heat pump water heater will stay valid through at least the end of 2016.
