It’s my first post for BeGreenMinded.com so it seems only fitting that I give all my new readers a gift for making it through this post. Sound too good to be true? Its not.
We all know about the federal tax credit the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and many states, offer to consumers who purchase certain hybrid vehicles. What you might not know is that similar tax credits and rebates are available for many other green-minded initiatives you might already be doing in and around your own house.
Ok, so you caught me, the gift isn’t really from me, precisely. But, by utilizing the following information, you might just find yourself basking in the glow of a rebate check or tax refund – and if that’s not a great gift, I don’t know what is!
Energy Star is more than just a cute logo- it could be your ticket to cash in your pocket
Did you know that there are more than 40,000 product models carrying the Energy Star logo and that Americans saved $12 billion on their energy bills by purchasing Energy Star products? Contact your local and state governments to find out if they offer rebates for purchasing certain Energy Star products, especially your major appliances like washers, TVs, and refrigerators.
Hitting up your power company might pay for a quiet dinner out with your sweetie
In Austin, Texas, the local power company offers rebates for purchasing and installing a variety of energy efficient technologies. As strange as it may seem, it benefits power companies to encourage their customers to be energy-wise. Sure they aren’t making that extra buck off of you, but with more energy usage comes the need to increase the amount of energy available and thus, build more power plants – an expensive venture for everyone involved. Do your research before you purchase your next air conditioning system and you could get a rebate for making the energy-efficient choice.
Think you can’t afford solar panels… think again
Federal, state and local rebates can significantly reduce the set-up and equipment costs of installing solar panels on your home. This isn’t just for Californians either. More than 75% of states offer rebate programs to residents interested in getting off the grid and 44% of the country offer tax incentives. Best of all, the federal government just extended their rebate program!
Planning to improve your home in 2009 might pay off
Energy Star isn’t just about the home appliances and electronics you purchase. The program will include some home improvements in 2009 which can help reduce all of your energy bills.
Increasing the water table and decreasing your pollution runoff could payoff
Its not all about energy efficiency, though. In Montgomery County, Maryland, the county government offers rebates to residents who help recreate natural ecosystems to help soil capture and filter rain water, which prevents pollution runoff and erosion, while also recharging groundwater supplies. These projects can be as simple as adding rain barrels to the end of a home’s drainpipes to creating detailed rain gardens. Learn more about the program and encourage your municipality to implement similar programs by sharing these ideas with your elected officials.
The federal, state and local governments have all realized the benefits of voluntary programs aimed at corporate partners, but over the last few years, they have also realized the benefits for individuals and households. Rewarding positive individual consumer behavior today equates to environmental benefits for years to come – and of course the short lived excitement of crisp cash.
