Renewable Energy Tax Credit for Heating & A/C

Given the complexity of the stimulus bill, combined with state and local incentives and tax rebates along with utility rebates, it can be cumbersome to stay current with what has been offered or established for incentives to improve efficiency in Air Conditioning & Heating. 
DSIRE = Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency is a great web site that tracks all incentives by state as well as federally. 

http://www.dsireusa.org/index.cfm?EE=1&RE=1.

The recent “stimulus bill” incentive summary is here:
http://www.dsireusa.org/library/includes/incentive2.cfm?Incentive_Code=US37F&State=federal&currentpageid=1&ee=1&re=1 

 

How Dry am I?

Heating season in New England is is full swing.  My pellet stove has been cranking since November and my house is cracking.  The floors shrink just a bit here and there.  The painted wood work shrinks.  My skin is dry and itchy.  Let’s not talk about the static electricity bounding about. 

You and your home do not have to suffer like this.  The best product I ever installed in my own home as well in many others, is a GeneralAire whole house humidification system.  I just dial in the humidity percentage and feel my skin say “thank you”.   The unit is tied into my HVAC system and runs independently of the heating.  Immediately you notice the static electricity has subsided.  My family sleeps better at night due to increased moisture in the air.  The best part is that is it the steam is sterile, thus the indoor air quality is excellent. 

 

Welcome to the A/C season here in the Northeast

According to the calendar, it’s July 2nd, but it feels like October 2nd.  My own air conditioning has been used sparingly this summer season.  I hope this will change soon.  I’d like to offer some tips on keeping your house cool and your energy bills low.

1. Have you central A/C serviced- replace the filter, check the ducts for leaks (this can reduce the systems efficiency by as much as 15% according to the U.S. Department of Energy).

2. Close the damper to your fireplace while running your A/C.  Just like a window or door being open, hot air will get sucked into the house through the damper.

3. Use the A/C and a fan simultaneously.  The fan will help you to cool off (evaporate the sweat) while the A/C will remove the humidity in your room/home.