Times are tough and financing energy efficiency improvements can stretch just about every budget. The good news is you may qualify for tax credits, utility rebates or low interest loans to make these improvements more affordable, but you need to know where to look. Keep in mind that depending on your circumstance, you may be eligible to receive multiple benefits. For example, you may be eligible for a utility rebate AND qualify to receive a Federal tax credit.
Note that some programs call for specific minimum efficiencies or quantities in order to qualify for a rebate. CCI strives to keep these references up to date, but it is important to remember that these programs may not last forever and that eligibility rules may be altered from time to time.
CCI strongly recommends that you verify your eligibility, program availability and requirements before starting your energy efficiency projects.
A comprehensive resource for available incentives in PA is
The Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE)
Utility Incentives
Increasingly, utilities are encouraging their rate payers to use energy more efficiently by offering services and financial incentives to help offset the cost of improvements. Some programs even offer a free energy audit of your home!
Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania
Audits & Rebates is Columbia Gas' latest energy efficiency program, targeted to residential heating customers earning between 151 – 250% of the
Federal Poverty Guidelines. The program helps customers to reduce their natural gas use by providing the following services and incentives:
- A free whole-house energy audit and written report performed by a Building Performance Institute (BPI) certified auditor. (a $400 value)
- If appropriate, installation of a free programmable thermostat. (a $100 value)
- Announcing Increased Incentives for 2012
- Columbia Gas recently increased the financial incentives available to Audits & Rebates customers from $850 to $1,800! Rebates are designed to encourage customers to install the measures (air sealing / insulation) and appliances (heating equipment / water heating equipment) recommended by the energy auditor. Rebates are paid directly to contractors, reducing the out of pocket charges to the customer.
- A free post-weatherization inspection of the home. This helps to ensure the quality and safety of the measures and appliances installed on behalf of the homeowner. (a $100 value)
For more information or to see if you qualify, call toll free: 1-866-956-0308
Duquesne Light Company
Duquesne Light's
WATT CHOICES program offers a variety of energy efficiency rebates on items ranging from CFL's to ENERGY STAR appliances that help to reduce the up-front cost of those purchases while also conserving energy, reducing demand all while lowering electricity costs.
Equitable Gas
Smart Audit Valuable Energy Rebates –
SAVER is available to Pennsylvania customers who use more than 135 Mcf per year – please check your Equitable Gas bill – and have a residence of fewer than 4,000 square feet. Eligible customers receive a free home-energy audit and may also be eligible to receive financial incentives designed to make energy efficiency improvements more affordable . Qualified equipment rebates range from
$300 up to $750. Air sealing and insulation rebates range from
$50 up to $750.
For more information or to see if you qualify, call CCI toll free at
1-855-676-8347 or visit the
Equitable SAVER website.
Allegheny Power
Watt Watchers is Allegheny Power's (West Penn, Mon Power, and Potomac Edison) program to help customers learn more about saving energy and money. Watt Watchers offers rebate programs, recycling programs, and home performance programs all designed to save you money and energy. For more information, call
1-877-928-8928 or visit the
Watt Watchers website.
Tax Incentives
You may be eligible to receive a tax credit on your federal income tax return for a wide range of home energy improvements, such as insulation, replacing old heating and air conditioning equipment with new energy efficient equipment, and installing solar-powered systems. Remember that
tax credits are generally more valuable than tax deductions because they reduce the amount of tax you owe the government.
For more information, see the
2011 Federal Tax Credits for Consumer Energy Efficiency.
Low Interest Loans
Keystone HELP is Pennsylvania's special low rate, low payment financing program for energy efficiency home improvements and geothermal heat pump systems. Keystone HELP is administered by AFC First Financial Corporation a Pennsylvania energy efficiency lender and offers a wide variety of loan options and terms to fit most needs.
Homeowners Energy Efficiency Loan Program (HEELP) offers loans between $1,000 and $10,000 for specific energy efficiency repairs, roof repairs or replacements at a fixed-rate of one percent (1%) for ten years with no prepayment penalties to income-qualified homeowners. Please contact PHFA at
800-822-1174 for more information.
ARRA Funded Programs
The Fayette County Better Buildings Initiative is a U.S. Department of Energy funded Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant available exclusively to residents of Fayette County. The primary focus of the initiative is to implementing a total of 1,067 energy efficiency retrofits with a minimum 15% estimated energy efficiency savings. All residents of Fayette County, regardless of income are eligible to participate. For more information, contact the Fayette County Redevelopment Authority at
724-437-1547 or email
racfpa@racfpa.org.