Aiming for Zero: How to Build a Zero-Carbon Home
(Page 3 of 5)
January/February 2009
By Mindy Pantiel
Energy-Saving Incentives Coming Soon to a City Near You
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For the past year the Boulder Energy Project has been gathering data to determine how much it would cost to convert all Boulder, Colorado, residences to zero-carbon emissions buildings by 2030. The hope is that residents will be able to borrow money for photovoltaics or Energy Star appliances and pay back those loans using the dollars they save on their utility bills.
“If the community or the energy company can provide low-interest loans to pay for the reduction in energy use, things like appliances will pay back in three years or less,” says architect Jim Logan, who is collaborating on the groundbreaking project with several groups including the City of Boulder, the Center for Resource Conservation and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. “You could end up with a new refrigerator and reduced utility bills.”
Boulder is not alone in its race to reduce carbon emmissions. PNM, New Mexico’s public utility company, started a refrigerator recycling program offering free pickup and a $30 rebate for old fridges. The company claims getting rid of that second inefficient fridge, which people tend to keep running in the garage, can save an estimated $100 annually. Other programs include a $500 rebate for builders who construct Energy Star-certified homes, a free program for low-income customers to install energy-saving measures in their homes, and a rebate program for customers who use energy-efficient evaporative coolers. In Berkeley, California, building codes for new homes, renovations and sold homes must comply with Residential Energy Conservation Ordinance (RECO) standards to further the city’s goal of reducing greenhouse emissions by 80 percent by the year 2050.
According to the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE), a project funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, 15 states offer both state and utility energy rebate programs. Visit www.dsireusa.org to find out about tax incentive programs in your city or state.
Stop Global Warming: 3 Things You Can Do Right Now
Architect Jim Logan urges simple actions that require minimal effort.
1. Change all your light bulbs to compact fluorescents. “It will save you two-thirds on energy costs, cut your carbon emissions for lighting by two-thirds and save you a lot of money over the life of the bulbs,” Logan says. He recommends bulbs with a color temperature of 3,500 for a warm glow. “And if you’re concerned about recycling compact fluorescents, Home Depot has a recycling program.”
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