Energy efficiency can save money for homeowners
April 13, 2009
By Staff
Craig Williamson, a Sammamish resident and owner of MM Comfort Systems, shows off a high-efficiency furnace. Contributed
In these tough economic times, going green can help residents save money.
The first way is to install energy saving devices, from toilets and washers to water heaters and furnaces.
In many cases, additional savings can also be enjoyed through rebates once installations are complete.
Business owner Craig Williamson, who lives near the intersection of East Lake Sammamish Parkway and Inglewood Hill Road, said several possible tax credit options have convinced consumers to buy energy-efficient appliances.
Williamson owns MM Comfort Systems, a Redmond-based business that consults about and sells water purifiers, water heaters, furnaces and heat pumps. More local residents are buying energy-efficient appliances either to replace broken models or to update them for future cost savings, Williamson said.
To explain why, Williamson gave the example of a traditional water heater compared to a tankless water heater.
Between federal tax credits from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and credits from Puget Sound Energy, a Sammamish resident could save $900, reducing the price of a tankless water heater from $2,500 to $1,600.
A traditional water heater would still cost less ($1,100), but it would also be less energy efficient.
With furnaces, the combination of Puget Sound Energy and federal tax credits can actually make high-efficiency furnaces cost less to install than the traditional furnaces, Williamson said.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act allows homeowners to receive tax credits for up to 30 percent of the cost of purchasing tankless water heaters, furnaces, windows and insulation.
The federal stimulus package includes a tax credit of up to $1,500 for the installation of higher efficiency furnaces and boilers, air source heat pumps, central air conditioners and hot water heaters in tax years 2009 and 2010.
Green Rebates
Cascade Water Alliance offers yet another cost-saving opportunity for green home purchases.
Cust-omers of Cascade Water Alliance who replace their washing machines and toilets receive a rebate of $100 per replacement.
Mike Brent, water resources manager for the alliance, said depending upon the unit’s WashWise metric, the rebate ranges from $50 – $100.
“The metric determines the efficiency of a particular model,” he said.
For a washer, the lower the water factor and the higher the energy factor, the more efficient the unit is.
“Last year, we had 3,101 customers participate in the WaterWise program,” Brent said.
Cascade Water Alliance has extended the WaterWise rebate program this year to toilets.
Brent said the industry has come a long way since the federal government mandated a change to low-flow toilets in 1992.
At first, the manufacturers were not fully on board with the change, he said, and essentially offered just a smaller tank on an existing bowl.
“They were terrible,” he said.
The toilets often had to be flushed twice to accomplish the job, negating any effect the lower flow of water had.
“There is a stigma that still exists today from the reputation the low-flow toilets got back then,” Brent added.
Since then, manufacturers have gotten fully on board with the change, as evidenced by the long list of toilets that qualify for the WashWise rebate listed on the alliance’s Web site. To receive the label, Brent said toilets have to work at 20 percent less than federal code and have to demonstrate they perform well.
The EnergyStar label
In addition to the rebates, industry studies show consumers save additional money replacing an older top loader washing machine with a newer front load model with the EnergyStar label.
One study showed that getting rid of a pre-1994 washer, for example, can save a family $110 a year on utility bills.
Heating and cooling represents the single largest energy user in a typical home. Hot water systems are another big user.
Today’s systems can reduce energy consumption by 30 percent or more — while improving comfort and air quality at the same time.
The EnergyStar label has been around longer than the WaterWise one.
Homeowners now have the opportunity to double dip in rebate programs involving products with the EnergyStar label.
Rebekah Anderson, corporate communication program manager for Puget Sound Energy, said natural gas customers who purchase a new furnace are eligible for a $350 rebate, $50 for a new water storage tank and $150 for a tankless water heater that have an EnergyStar label.
“EnergyStar is an Environmental Protection Agency-verified product that uses less energy,” Anderson explained.
Last year, more than 30,000 PSE customers utilized PSE’s rebate program.
Save in other areas, too
The energy savings and rebates continue into the bathroom and kitchen.
Anderson said Puget Sound Energy customers could also receive a free energy-efficient showerhead and bathroom-faucet aerator.
Without sacrificing performance, a new, efficient showerhead and bathroom faucet aerator will use up to 20 percent less water and energy.
Anderson pointed out that when you use less water, you conserve a valuable resource for the environment, wildlife and our future. Heating less water also means using less energy.
“The aerator cuts the amount of water coming out at any one time,” she said. Anderson gave the example of filling a bucket. The aerator will still allow water to flow but will slow the process.
“It’s not so great if you’re trying to fill the bucket in a hurry, but great if you want to save 20 percent on water use.”
On the Web
-Read more about the federal tax credits for energy-efficient appliances at www.eere.energy.gov/recovery; click on “Stimulus Act Expands Clean Energy Tax Credits for Homes and Businesses.”
-Get a complete list of PSE rebates and promotions at www.pse.com; click on “Rebates & Programs.”
- Learn more about the Cascade Water Alliance WaterWise program at www.cascadewater.org; click on the “Conservation Tips & Rebates” tab.
Reach Reporter David Hayes at 392-6434, ext. 239, or dhayes@isspress.com. Comment on this story at www.SammamishReview.com.
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