Going Green Can Save You Green or May Have You Seeing Stars
Going Green Can Save You Green or May Have You Seeing Stars
by Sweiskloss Staff April 4, 2024
My assignment seemed simple – research and write about incentives for “green” home upgrades in celebration of Earth Month. We hear all about city, state and federal rebates and tax credits homeowners, and even renters, can receive for “going green.” However, after spending hours reading various articles, government websites and utility company programs, I was completely frustrated and more confused than ever! Which programs were available to me? How does one qualify? Do they actually work?
The first thing I learned is that there a few simple steps to take before enrolling in any program or buying a new product or installing new equipment, that will help determine the cost benefits of participating in an incentive program.
Use a free solar calculator to estimate how much electricity you will actually save with solar panels. Similarly, a water footprint calculator can calculate your total water usage and help you make educated decisions and cutbacks. These tools are available at no charge on the internet.
And before rushing out to buy any new product such as a water heater, washer/dryer or toilet, check to see if the manufacturer offers rebates for being energy or water efficient.
Researching incentive programs available on the local level was straight forward. I was excited to read about Santa Monica’s “Cash for Grass” program offering rebates to replace grass lawns with low maintenance native landscaping, and the “Spray to Drip” incentive encouraging drip irrigation instead of sprinklers.
The utility companies all offer savings programs, but not all are created equal. A UCLA-led study examined 24 SCE programs that offer financial incentives for energy efficient upgrades. The good news: “Incentives for pool pumps upgrades resulted in 12.7% energy savings and a program for efficient refrigerators led to 6.2% energy savings.” The bad news: programs for some household appliances actually led to increases in energy use, as homeowners with a new energy efficient dishwasher, for example, may be more likely to run it half full rationalizing that they are still saving energy. (UCLA Newsroom). (See SK blogpost “Conserving Water by Using Your Dishwasher?” Dec. 13, 2018 for related information).
Still, there are deals to be had –- credits are available in SCE’s Smart Energy Program (smart thermostats) and Solar Billing Programs. LADWP also offers a host of energy efficiency and water conservations rebates from heat pump HVAC replacement, to Window AC recycling, to refrigerator exchanges. Things to consider: Do you live in the correct designated area to receive these rebates? Is there an income qualification?
My head was spinning by the time I finished reading about the federal government’s Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. According to the IRS website, there are two types of tax credits: the Energy Efficient Home Improvement credit for upgrades on items such as doors, windows, and insulation material; and the Residential Clean Energy Credit for solar, wind and geothermal power, solar water heaters and battery storage for example. The catch: states must apply for the federal funds and how soon they will be available will vary by state. And with some exceptions, it’s unlikely consumers can double dip.
By the time I got to the end of this article I was exhausted – I had gone down many “rabbit holes” surfing a slew of websites, clicking on various links that sent me to more websites. Each program requires a separate application, some asked for copies of bills, proof of purchase, etc. Is it worth it? The answer is a resounding YES: every bit helps. Upgrading appliances, making home improvements, and altering energy and water usage can all reduce waste, save me some money and help preserve our environment.
