San Marcos Launches Rebate Program

The City of San Marcos has now implemented two energy efficiency rebate programs: the Energy Efficient Heating/AC Rebate Program and the Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program.

For Home Improvements:

San Marcos offers rebates for energy efficient heating and AC upgrades including HVAC systems, programmable thermostats, attic/wall insulation, radiant barrier and duct sealing. The program is open to City of San Marcos residential electric utility customers.
1. Customer contacts the city to schedule a free energy audit. During the audit, city staff will evaluate existing HVAC equipment, insulation types/levels, and duct leakage. Staff will make recommendations, and provide information on rebate programs.
2. Customer purchases qualified products and has them installed.
3. Within 90 days after purchase, customer submits application along with dated and itemized sales receipts.
4. The city conducts follow-up inspection to verify products have been properly installed.
5. Rebate check is issued to customer.

Read the city's rebate information sheet (PDF) for more details.

Rebates include:
Attic Insulation (sq.ft. x R-value x $0.0075)
Radiant Barrier ($0.15/sq.ft.)
Duct Sealing ($0.10/sq.ft.)

For Appliances:

The City of San Marcos offers rebates for purchase of energy efficient appliance upgrades including refrigerators, dishwashers, clothes washers, water heaters and window air conditioning units. The program is open to residential households located within San Marcos city limits.
1. Resident contacts the city to schedule an energy audit. During the audit city staff will evaluate existing appliances, make recommendations for replacement, and provide information on applicable rebate programs.
2. Resident purchases appliances that meet efficiency specifications and has them installed.
3. Resident takes old appliances to Green Guy Recycling, and gets a receipt for drop-off.
4. Within 90 days after purchase, resident submits application along with dated/itemized sales receipts and receipt from Green Guy.
5. The city conducts follow-up inspection to verify appliances have been installed.
6. Rebate check is issued to resident.

Read the city's appliance rebate information sheet (PDF) for more details.

For complete information, visit the City of San Marcos Website.

Utilities Spend $5.3 Billion on Energy Efficiency

U.S. utilities increased their spending on energy efficiency programs by 43% in 2009, according to a new report from the nonprofit Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE), which represents energy efficiency program administrators from across the United States and Canada. U.S. utility spending on energy efficiency programs reached $5.3 billion, including $4.4 billion for electric energy efficiency programs and $930 million for natural gas programs. Spending on natural gas programs increased the most, at 79%, while electric programs increased by 38%. Utility energy efficiency programs also expanded geographically, as such programs are now offered in 46 states, compared to only 37 states in 2008. The CEE report notes that electric energy efficiency spending grew the fastest in the Southeast and South Central states, with a 76% increase to $800 million in 2009. For instance, new legislation in Maryland increased electric energy efficiency spending by a factor of 13, while Kentucky increased its spending by an order of magnitude and Tennessee's spending increased by a factor of 5. Electric energy efficiency programs focus a majority of their spending on commercial and industrial facilities, while natural gas programs are skewed more toward residential customers.

For more information, read the full CEE report (PDF) and a report by Bloomberg New Energy Finance (PDF).

Texas Appliance Rebate Program April 16-25

The Texas State Energy Conservation Office (SECO) will be distributing the $23,341,000 allocated to Texas from the Federal Appliance Rebate Program in April.

Consumers will have an opportunity to reserve an appliance rebate by calling a toll-free number or registering online approximately two weeks prior to April 16, 2010. After the reserved mail-in rebates are awarded, any remaining funds will be rebated to consumers on a first-come, first-served basis. Shoppers will be limited to two appliance rebates and two recycling rebates per household. The mail-in rebates will apply to eligible appliances purchased between April 16 and April 25, 2010 to coincide with Earth Day. Consumers will have 45 days from date of reservation to install the appliance(s) and submit the paperwork for their rebate.

Click here for a list of appliances eligible for the rebate.

Click here for a list of frequently asked questions about the program.

Contact ENERGY STAR: hotline@energystar.gov or 1.888.STAR.YES (1.888.782.7937)

For more information, visit the SECO website or the State Comptroller's website.

White House Proposes Federal Home Energy Rebates

Earlier today, the president outlined a proposed $6 billion plan to create jobs and give federal energy efficiency rebates to homeowners. Under this new program, homeowners would be eligible for $1,000 to $1,500 in rebates for upgrades such as insulation and weatherization, as well as for the purchase and installation of new energy efficient water heaters, HVAC units, windows, roofing and doors.

The plan also allows for any homeowner who combines multiple upgrades that result in a 20 percent (or higher) reduction in energy usage to be eligible for $3,000 in rebates.

Designed to be a limited, short-term initiative similar to the "cash for clunkers" program, the administration hopes to reach two to three million homes. The White House said it expected the program would save consumers $200 to $500 in energy costs per year. The plan must first be passed by Congress before any rebates begin.

For more information, read the official press release from the White House.