How to save on your energy bill while improving the environment!

Presented by COYLEAN SCHLOEGEL WASHINGTON ST. TAMMANY ELECTRIC, COOPERATIVE

So how can I start saving?

There are three big ways residential consumers can connect to energy savings through the stimulus:

Energy Efficiency Tax Credits

(2009, 2010)

Renewable Energy Tax Credits(2009—2016)

Weatherization Assistance

Program

Community Action Committees

Weatherization pays!

Why is weatherizing (sealing air leaks, proper insulation) your home important?• Heating and cooling expenses

account for 43 percent of an average home’s energy bill.

• The Department of Energy estimates the average U.S. home could save $358 a year in energy costs through weatherization.

Average Home Energy Costs

Source: 2007 Buildings Energy Data Book, Table 4.2.1, 2005 energy cost data.

Common Household Air Leaks

“OK, I’m sold—making my home more efficient is a great idea!

But what if I don’t have the money to make the upgrades?”

RESULT?

Option 1:Energy Efficiency Tax Credits

Energy Efficiency Tax Credits

Get a tax credit for up to $1,500 dollars on the cost of insulating, sealing and weather-stripping your home. • The credit is for 30 percent of the cost of qualifying

improvements made to an existing home in 2009/2010.• There’s a $1,500 cap for BOTH years (can not receive

$1,500 in 2009 and another $1,500 in 2010).• Use IRS Form 5695 to claim the credit and get a

Manufacturer Certification Statement for your records.

Energy Efficiency Tax Credits

How do I find out what qualifies?• ENERGY STAR, a joint program of the DOE

and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, sets efficiency guidelines for appliances, heating and cooling systems, and more.

• A list of items qualifying for stimulus tax credits is available at www.energystar.gov, keyword ‘tax credits.’

• NOTE: Not all ENERGY STAR models qualify for a tax credit!

Energy Efficiency Tax Credits

What part of the cost is covered?

• Installation costs are NOT covered by the tax credit for windows, doors, insulation, roofs. 

• Installation costs ARE covered for HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) systems and biomass stoves.

Must have a Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) and U-factor less than or equal to 0.30

When combined with the window/door over which it’s installed, it must meet the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC)in your climate zone.

Energy Efficiency Tax Credits

Examples of what qualifies:

Exterior Windows, Doors and Skylights

Storm Windows and Doors

Energy Efficiency Tax Credits

Examples of what qualifies:

Metal, Asphalt Roofs

Insulation

All ENERGY STAR metal and asphalt roofs qualify. Must be expected to last 5 years or have a 2 year warranty.

Primary purpose must be to insulate. For example, vapor retarders are covered but insulated siding does not qualify. Also must meet 2009 IECC and be expected to last 5 years or have a 2 year warranty.

Energy Efficiency Tax Credits

Other qualifying upgrades:• Central Air Conditioning• Air-Source Heat Pumps• Natural gas or propane furnace• Gas, propane, or oil hot water

boiler & oil furnace• Advanced main air circulating fan• Select non-solar water heaters• Biomass stoves

Remember to check

ENERGY STAR to see

guidelines!

Option 2:Renewable Energy Tax Credits

Renewable Energy Tax Credits

Get a tax credit for 30 percent of the cost—no cap!—for installing renewable energy generation.• The credit is for 30 percent of the cost of qualifying

improvements made to both existing homes and new construction between Jan. 1, 2009 and Dec. 31, 2016.

• There is no cap on the credit.• Covers material costs and installation.• Use IRS Form 5695 to claim the credit and get a

Manufacturer Certification Statement for your records.

Renewable Energy Tax Credits

Examples of what qualifies:

Geothermal Heat Pump

Solar Water Heaters

Photovoltaic Systems

All ENERGY STAR geothermal heat pumps qualify for the tax credit.

All ENERGY STAR solar water heaters qualify for the tax credit. Must be used in the home; not for swimming pools/hot tubs.

Photovoltaic systems must provide electricity for the residence, and must meet applicable fire and electrical code requirement.

Renewable Energy Tax Credits

Other qualifying generation:

• Residential Small Wind Energy Systems

• Residential Fuel Cell and Microturbine system (up to $500 per .5 kW

of power capacity )

QUESTION:

Can I get an energy efficiency tax credit AND a renewable energy tax credit?• If you meet the criteria you can do that, but

these are not refundable credits—they can increase your refund by reducing the taxes you owe, dollar for dollar, and can be carried forward to reduce your taxes in following years, but you don't get a check for the credit amount. 

• Other tax questions? Talk to your tax advisor!

Option 3:Weatherization Assistance

Weatherization Assistance

Don’t have the money to make improvements? You might qualify for the Weatherization Assistance Program.• For households earning up to 200 percent of the national

poverty level, the federal Weatherization Assistance Program provides an average of $6,500 in efficiency upgrades (previously $2,500).

• For a family of four, that’s an income limit of $44,100. • Must apply through local Community Action Committee.

Weatherization Assistance

For families with more than 8 persons, add $7,480 for each additional person.

Members who qualify for the Weatherization Assistance Program may contact:

Louisiana Housing Finance Agency2415 Quail DriveBaton Rouge, LA 70808Phone: 225-763-8700Fax: 225-763-8710

The Weatherization Program contact is:Darleen Okammor

ManagerPhone: 225-763-8700 ext 234

Email: dokammor@lhfa.state.la.us

Question: How can you save with the stimulus?

Remember, there are three ways you can connect to energy savings through the stimulus:

Energy Efficiency Tax Credits

(2009, 2010)

Renewable Energy Tax Credits(2009—2016)

Weatherization Assistance

Program

Community Action Committees

But wait, there’s more!

Special Co-op programs

Washington St. Tammany Electric, Cooperative also provides incentives for our members to make their homes efficient!• Example A• Example B• For special state rebates, check the Database for

Statewide Initiatives for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, www.dsireusa.org.

Questions?Coylean Schloegel, Washington St. Tammany Electric, Cooperative

cschloegel@wste.coop, 985.839.3562

www.wste.coop