Installing energy-efficient retrofits in homes and business buildings can certainly help save money on energy bills. Now, local governments are also offering refunds of up to $2,000 to property owners who take the initiative.
Owners of existing buildings within Blaine and Camas counties, except in Carey, have the opportunity to receive the refund because of a $700,000 grant the seven governments received in February from the Idaho Office of Energy Resources. The money didn't originate in the state, but is federal stimulus money offered as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act's Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program.
The seven participating governments invited Carey to participate in the grant application, but the city declined.
The governments have now divided the money, planning to use the majority of it for improving the efficiency of public buildings, streetlights and other common uses. But about $262,000 will go to residents and business owners. This money has been equally dispersed between the seven governments—$37,400 to each—to pass on to its residents for retrofit materials bought after Aug. 15.
Here's how to receive the rebate:
Just about any question about the rebates can be answered at the Web site of the Ketchum-based Environmental Resource Center, at www.ercsv.org. Click on the "Energy Rebates" tab, and the next page will provide you with the basic requirements, the process, a list of certified auditors and who to contact for the local government you fall within.
Craig Barry, ERC executive director, said that anyone interested should first contact their local government representative to see how much of the city or county's $37,400 remains. These contacts are listed under the "Property Location" tab. Funds are limited and available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
The second step for property owners is to hire a certified auditor to provide a detailed assessment of their building's performance and suggest ways that will improve the building's overall comfort and energy efficiency, meaning making it cost less to operate.
The audit rebate amounts to 50 percent of the cost, up to a maximum $200.
The auditor may suggest insulation in certain areas or sealing holes in heating ducts and window frames, or a more efficient furnace. Following through with these projects will mean another rebate for the cost of materials. Sun Valley, Ketchum, Hailey and Blaine County will refund 30 percent the cost of materials up to $2,000—minus the audit rebate. Bellevue, Fairfield and Camas County will cover 50 percent of material costs up to the same limit.
Barry said these latter jurisdictions are offering a 50 percent refund because the feeling is that more incentive will be needed to spur participation in these areas.
An audit must be done in order to receive the larger retrofit refund.
"It gives homeowners a rational basis to move from," Barry said, instead of just guessing what could be improved.
Barry's speaking from experience. He had an auditor test his Warm Springs townhome.
Tom Harned, auditor and owner of Airtight Homes, said the process takes three hours for the basic home and costs 30 cents per square foot or a minimum $450. He starts by attaching a vacuum to the main doorway. As the vacuum sucks the air out of the house, Harned uses an infrared gun to see where air is leaking out of windowsill gaps or cracks, wherever they may be.
Harned's homework is then to crunch the numbers to calculate the building's cumulative hole where heat—or cool air in the summer—escapes, making recommendations to shrink that hole.
"I was surprised at how the lack of attention to details effects efficiency," Barry said of his home.
He said the mere lack of caulking around windows was a big contributor.
Harned said he also tests other things, such as heating ducts to see if leaks are pumping heat between walls instead into living areas.
He said the decision as to which retrofits should be done—lights, appliances, insulation, windows, or more—boils down to one question.
"Does the increased efficiency pay for the retrofit before its lifetime is up?" he said.
This answer will be yes more often than not with the rebate coming into play.
Those wanting to take a little initiative without a formal audit can also checkout a Kill-A-Watt meter from Ketchum's Community Library. The meter plugs into an electrical outlet, and appliances are then plugged into the meter. The meters measures energy consumption, giving the user a basis to decide whether to replace high-consuming appliances or unplug appliances that draw energy while at rest.
Trevon Milliard: tmilliard@mtexpress.com
Photo courtesy of Craig Barry
Building energy auditor Tom Harned, owner of Airtight Homes, assembles a vacuum in the front doorway of a home. As the vacuum sucks air out of the building, Harned uses an infrared gun to see where air is escaping, such as gaps in window frames.
