Energy Tax Credits and / or Rebates

[LinHoov]

Has anyone taken advantage of the Energy Tax Credits and / or Rebates for 2009?

How about the "cash for clunkers" type trade in for energy efficient appliances? I'm especially interested in the energy efficient washers and dryers. We have ones that are definitely NOT energy efficient and we find we are constantly having to re-run the laundry. The washer doesn't spin out the water and the dryer often has to be run multiple times over. I've heard good things about the energy efficient versions but, naturally, they are more expensive. I did see on the internet that you can get rebates or tax credits, etc.

Has anyone had an Energy Audit for your home?

Tankless water heater? Programmable thermostat? Added insulation? Solar panels? Better windows / doors?

These are all things I would love to look into.

[Computer Magic]

I need a new water heater.

[Christy]

We have a Whirlpool cabrio set and I LOVE LOVE LOVE them! The clothes feel almost dry already when I get them out of the washer :lol

We got a new hvac system last year that we should get the full credit for, just have to find the receipt to send in :blush

[figmentmom]

We have the Whirlpool energy-efficient front-loading washer and dryer, and I LOVE them! I don't know a thing about the tax rebates, because we got them a couple of years ago, but the savings in terms of water and energy use have been quite noticeable. Plus, the laundry is sparkling clean. :D

[LinHoov]

Thanks! Good to know.
I suspect that our bills are higher since we have to run ours for so long.
Any and all recommendations on brands / models most welcome!

[Computer Magic]

Tankless water heaters are extremely efficient - if you use gas. Electric is cost prohibitive because to get the instant on of hot water, you have to draw ALOT of current, which makes them expensive.

We have a programmable thermostat, and I feel it has saved us money. The idea is that you turn down the heat when you are sleeping, and when you are not home. It works for us since we basically have the same schedule. I have heard though that you don't save alot unless you are willing to turn the temp down 8-10 % of your normal "high" temperature.I have heard the tankless systems are the way to go. I didn't know about gas as the preferred method.

I always hear to turn down the heat when sleeping, but that doesn't work for me. I wake up freezing. Someone is almost always home here so that doesn't work for us doing the day either.

[figmentmom]

My main reason for not having gas is that I am not familiar enough with gas, and they can go "BOOM."

We live right in the village, and have gas hot water heat. I LOVE it - much warmer than gas hot air.

Apropos of nothing, I, too, am not fond of things that go "boom," like propane. :uh

[Christy]

Ahh..baseboard hot water heat. Pretty much the same thing as radiators. Radiant heat is good. There is no on/off of a blower so it doesn't create a "breeze."

So, if you don't like propane, do you BBQ with charcoal?

We use propane, (it's so easy! :blush) but I looooove the smell of charcoal fire. Takes me back to childhood :love

[figmentmom]

Ahh..baseboard hot water heat. Pretty much the same thing as radiators. Radiant heat is good. There is no on/off of a blower so it doesn't create a "breeze."

So, if you don't like propane, do you BBQ with charcoal?

That's exactly why I love baseboard hot water heat - no breeze!

...and figgydad is strictly a charcoal BBQ guy. :lol

I don't like propane because friends of friends lost a child when their propane tank exploded late one night, underneath her bedroom window. :no The cause of the explosion was traced somehow to a short in an electric dryer on the other side of the basement wall. Now, this was a large propane tank because they used it to heat the house, and not a small barbecue-sized tank, but I am too spooked to have one on the premises.

[pinkrose]

That's exactly why I love baseboard hot water heat - no breeze!

...and figgydad is strictly a charcoal BBQ guy. :lol

I don't like propane because friends of friends lost a child when their propane tank exploded late one night, underneath her bedroom window. :no The cause of the explosion was traced somehow to a short in an electric dryer on the other side of the basement wall. Now, this was a large propane tank because they used it to heat the house, and not a small barbecue-sized tank, but I am too spooked to have one on the premises. That's so sad :(

We have gas heat, gas hot water, gas fireplace, and gas stove. We don't use the gas fireplace because it really jacks up the gas bill. Actually, we can't use it right now anyway. There's a gas leak, so the gas company turned off the gas to it. We're not in a big hurry to have it fixed because they will have to put a hole in my livingroom wall. Why go to the trouble for something we don't use anyway. :shrug I wish we had a wood burning fireplace.

[figmentmom]

We have gas heat, gas hot water, gas fireplace, and gas stove. We don't use the gas fireplace because it really jacks up the gas bill. Actually, we can't use it right now anyway. There's a gas leak, so the gas company turned off the gas to it. We're not in a big hurry to have it fixed because they will have to put a hole in my livingroom wall. Why go to the trouble for something we don't use anyway. :shrug I wish we had a wood burning fireplace.

My parents had their wood-burning fireplace adapted so that they could install a gas fireplace. Wood is a lot of upkeep, and it's just easier for them to use the gas fireplace when they want. Building a wood fire was just getting to be too much for my dad (he's almost 84).

[Christy]

I've never used our gas fire place either. I love woodburning fireplaces, but gas just scares me. It's enough to deal with a gas stove/range :blink I don't want more gas flowing than necessary :lol

[pinkrose]

I like woodburning fireplaces because you can roast marshmallows on them. :lol Mary, I can see where a wood burning would get to be too much (with getting, lugging in wood, cleaning, ect).

[figmentmom]

I've never used our gas fire place either. I love woodburning fireplaces, but gas just scares me. It's enough to deal with a gas stove/range :blink I don't want more gas flowing than necessary :lol

Mom and Dad only use theirs when we're there and demand it. :lol


I like woodburning fireplaces because you can roast marshmallows on them. :lol Mary, I can see where a wood burning would get to be too much (with getting, lugging in wood, cleaning, ect).

That was the issue, Elizabeth. When you're 84, the thrill goes right out of chopping wood, hauling it into the house, building the fire, waiting for it to burn completely out and cool, sweeping the ashes out, and remembering to have the chimney cleaned on a regular basis. :lol

[pinkrose]

Mom and Dad only use theirs when we're there and demand it. :lol



That was the issue, Elizabeth. When you're 84, the thrill goes right out of chopping wood, hauling it into the house, building the fire, waiting for it to burn completely out and cool, sweeping the ashes out, and remembering to have the chimney cleaned on a regular basis. :lol I take it back .... I will keep my gas fireplace. :lol I will have it fixed one day. It's nice to have if the power ever goes out during the winter (no heat otherwise).

[LinHoov]

Ah, yes, I LOVE the smell of a wood burning fireplace!
And, yes, the roasting of the marshmallows! Nothing like it.
Thanks for bringing back those memories.

[LinHoov]

Mmmm....
and what about a nice fire in the wood fireplace
with some candles lit
some romantic jazz...
some good wine...
a little cheese ...

mmmmmmmmmmm

:love

[figmentmom]

Mmmm....
and what about a nice fire in the wood fireplace
with some candles lit
some romantic jazz...
some good wine...
a little cheese ...

mmmmmmmmmmm

:love

Light up that fireplace, get Gary in the mood, and maybe he'll spring for the energy-efficient washer and dryer! :thumbs:lol

[LinHoov]

Great idea!

[figmentmom]

Great idea!

Oh, I'm not above a little dirty pool. ;)

...and here's the best part - Gary'll never suspect a thing! I mean, it's not like he READS this or anything. :rotfl

[LinHoov]

Oh, I'm not above a little dirty pool. ;)

...and here's the best part - Gary'll never suspect a thing! I mean, it's not like he READS this or anything. :rotfl

Hee! He actually hasn't read the energy one at all!
I guess he's not into it.

Hey, I found a place in our area that does energy audits.
http://www.hutchbiz.com/

[figmentmom]

Hee! He actually hasn't read the energy one at all!
I guess he's not into it.

Hey, I found a place in our area that does energy audits.
http://www.hutchbiz.com/

figgydad's eyes glaze over at the very mention of household appliances. :rotfl

The energy audit is probably a good idea. In theory. I mean, I'd probably be afraid to have one done on my built-in-1899 house, even after all the work we've done. :rollseyes