Stimulus bill could put energy dollars in your pocket

With the passage of the federal stimulus bill—the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009— tax credits have been increased for making certain types of home energy improvements and equipment purchases.

Now is the perfect time to look at all of your options to save money on your electric bill and to trim back on your taxes.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) says weatherization—the process of sealing air leaks and properly insulating a home—can reduce heating bills by up to 32 percent, resulting in an average energy savings of $358 per year.

The stimulus plan provides a homeowner efficiency tax credit of up to $1,500, or 30 percent, of the cost for new energy upgrades, including weatherization activities, as well as installation of efficient heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems. To be eligible for the credit, qualified energy-efficiency improvements and energy property must be placed in service in 2009 and 2010.

Residential renewable energy tax credits

Consumers who install solar energy systems (including solar water heating and solar electric systems), small wind systems, geothermal heat pumps and residential fuel cell and microturbine systems can receive a 30-percent tax credit for systems placed in service before Dec. 31, 2016; the previous tax credit cap no longer applies.

Stimulus bill resources from the Tennessee Valley Authority

• Residential Summary Tax Credit Fact Sheet
• Weatherization Tax Credit Fact Sheet
• Existing Homes Heating, Cooling and Water Heating Tax Credit Fact Sheet
• Appliances Tax Credit Fact Sheet
• New Homes Tax Credit Fact Sheet
• Renewable Energy Wind Tax Credit Fact Sheet
• Renewable Energy Solar Tax Credit Fact Sheet

• Energy Star is the place to find details about the federal stimulus bill tax credits
• The Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency offers detailed explanations of qualifying upgrades for federal residential energy-efficiency tax credits and for the federal residential renewable energy tax credit.
• The State of Georgia Stimulus Accountability page shows stimulus spending in Georgia.
• Official federal Web site for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
• Recovery.gov is where you can see where your federal funds go.

• NGEMC energy-saving tips
• TVA energy right®
• Southface Energy Institute
• U.S. Department of Energy
• Energy Guide
• Efficient Windows Collaborative
• National Fenestration Rating Council
• Alliance to Save Energy

As a result of the stimulus package, the U.S. Department of Energy’s Weatherization Assistance Program is expanding with a goal of weatherizing 1 million homes each year. In the past, only households that earned up to 150 percent of the national poverty level were eligible to participate. The stimulus bill extends eligibility to those with incomes up to 200 percent of the national poverty level. For a family of four, that’s an income limit of $44,100.

Weatherization is the process by which homes are made more energy efficient. This result is accomplished through a series of relatively easy energy conservation measures. Homes that have been weatherized require less energy to heat and cool, resulting in lower utility bills and a higher standard of living.

How do I apply for weatherization?

Step one: Contact the local service agency for your county (Find your county in the list below). The agency will determine whether you are eligible for the program.

Step two: If you qualify, a weatherization technician will conduct an energy audit on your home. Diagnostic equipment is used to identify air filtration, pressure imbalances and areas of heat loss. Technicians also evaluate energy-related health and safety conditions.

Step three: After acceptance into the program and initial evaluations, weatherization crews will install the most cost-effective energy-efficiency measures. The maximum amount of funding that the program will allow on each house is $6,500.

Local service agencies for the Weatherization Assistance Program

North Georgia Community Action Agency
(706) 692-5623
Contact: Jonathan Ray
Counties: Catoosa (706-858-0926), Chattooga (706-857-0729), Murray (706-695-5913), Walker (706-638-0818) and Whitfield (706-226-7241)

Tallatoona Community Action Partnership
(770) 382-5388
Contact: Jason Bouchard
Counties: Floyd (706-295-7124) and Gordon (706-629-2333)

For more on the weatherization assistance in Georgia, visit the Georgia Weatherization Assistance Program Web site.