Solatube eChoice makes tubular skylights more efficient & less expensive
June 30, 2009
Solatube recently announced upgrades to two models of their tubular daylighting devices (tubular skylights). The upgrades qualify their products for a 30% Federal Tax Credit under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The two qualifying products are the 160DSe and the 290DSe. Both are improvements upon the 160DS (the one I installed in my home), and the 290DS.
Solatube is the first company with tubular daylighting devices that exceed low Solar Heat Gain Coefficients (SHGC), and U-Factor ratings specified in the federal Act. This is why their products qualify for the Federal tax credit!
What are SHGC and U-Factor you ask? These ratings come from the National Fenestration Rating Council. We demystify both terms in detail for you in a previous article here on GetWithGreen. Essentially, a low Solar Heat Gain Coefficient means that your window or tubular device will block heat from sunlight. A low U-Factor means that heat has a difficult time escaping. These ratings matter to you because the tube from these skylights runs through your attic. You want to prevent as much heat from coming in during the summer, and limit the amount of heat lost during the winter. The lower these ratings, the less your attic Read more
![[del.icio.us]](http://www.getwithgreen.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/delicious.png)
![[Digg]](http://www.getwithgreen.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/digg.png)
![[Hugg]](http://www.getwithgreen.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/hugg.png)
![[StumbleUpon]](http://www.getwithgreen.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/stumbleupon.png)
![[Yahoo!]](http://www.getwithgreen.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/yahoo.png)
![[Email]](http://www.getwithgreen.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/email.png)
Print This Post
Save over 1 gallon per flush - high efficiency toilets (HETs)work
June 28, 2009
High efficiency toilets, or HETs have been on the market now for years. We wrote about them two years ago when we launched GetWithGreen.com.
Essentially high efficiency toilets conserve a lot of water. Many older toilets use 3.5-5 gallons of water per flush, and newer high efficiency toilets from Kohler or Caroma use far less (0.8-1.6 gallons).
Having recently installed Kohler Revival HETs in my remodel, I am extremely pleased with the quality. Even with two small kids cramming just a bit too much toilet paper, the toilets perform incredibly well. Also, since so little water is used, the toilet does not run for five minutes afterwards!
Make sure you check with your manufacturer of choice, and your local water company for rebates after purchasing your new toilets. There are many programs available to save money. Here is an example of a special savings from Caroma that is offered in a drought affected portion of Texas:
City of Alamo Heights Launches Toilet Replacement Program
Caroma and Morrison Supply help save water and costs with dual flush high efficiency toilets
Caroma, the leader in dual flush toilets and stylish sinks, is partnering with the City of Alamo Heights and Morrison Supply Company in Texas on a toilet replacement program for Alamo Heights water customers. The new program started on June 10th, 2009.
Due to drought conditions, Alamo Heights is experiencing Stage 1 water restrictions. This includes limiting landscape watering to one designated day per week at specific hours, no impervious outdoor ground washing (parking lot, driveway, etc.), restaurants serving water only when customers request, and several additional restrictions. As part of these ongoing efforts to conserve limited water supplies, the City of Alamo Heights has created the toilet voucher replacement program to help conserve water in the house.
Approximately 30% of water in the home is used to flush a toilet. Many older toilets use 3.5 or 5 gallons of water per flush. The voucher rebate program enables homeowners to purchase a water-efficient Caroma toilet at a reduced cost and Read more
Print This Post
Congress votes YES, President signs bill, Solar tax credits back on!
October 4, 2008
From CNNMoney.com
After months of failed attempts in Congress to extend crucial renewable energy tax credits, the end-game came with lightning speed Friday afternoon: The House of Representatives passed the green incentives attached to the financial bailout package approved by the Senate Wednesday night and President Bush promptly signed the legislation into law.
There were goodies for wind, geothermal and alternative fuels, but the big winner by far was the solar industry.
“It feels like we should be popping the champagne,” said a Silicon Valley solar exec Green Wombat met for lunch minutes after Bush put pen to paper.
That it took the biggest financial crisis since the Great Depression to save billions of dollars of renewable projects in the pipeline for the sake of political expediency does not bode well for a national alternative energy policy. But the bottom line is that the legislation passed Friday sets the stage for a potential solar Read more
Print This Post
REBATES: No sales tax for Energy Star products purchased in Georgia.
October 3, 2008
2008 Energy Efficient Products Sales Tax Holiday October 2008 - for GEORGIA residents
In an effort to help Georgians conserve energy and water, save money and protect the environment, today Governor Perdue announced Georgia’s fourth annual ENERGY STAR Sales Tax Holiday has been expanded for the first time to include WaterSense labeled products.
Georgians will not pay state or local sales taxes on the purchase of energy efficient or water efficient products that cost $1,500 or less per item.
The sales tax holiday begins at 12:01a.m. Thursday, October 2, 2008 and runs through midnight Sunday, October 5, 2008.
ENERGY STAR designated products meet strict energy efficiency criteria set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Qualified ENERGY STAR appliances and products include dishwashers, clothes washers, air conditioners, ceiling fans, fluorescent light bulbs, dehumidifiers, programmable thermostats, refrigerators, doors and windows.
Many ENERGY STAR qualified appliances use Read more
Print This Post
National Grid offers new energy efficiency rebates for gas customers
September 21, 2008
Massachusetts’s resident? New Hampshire? New York City, Long Island, Rhode Island? National Grid customers can now take advantage of new rebates for natural gas and energy efficiency improvements.
Natural Grid recently launched their Think Smart Think Green website which details how National Grid gas customers can save on rebates for energy efficiency improvements such as Programmable Thermostats, Boiler Reset Controls, High-efficiency heating equipment, water heating, weatherizing, replacement windows, and solar water heaters.
Wherever you live, make sure you check with your utility provider for rebates during your remodel - because there are lots of them out there!
Print This Post
Government tax credits and rebates coming for green improvements?
September 20, 2008
Reuters reports this week that the U.S. Senate will be voting as early as Tuesday on new energy tax credits for homeowners who are remodeling. The voting on legislation would extend tax breaks and incentives for renewable energy production and energy-efficiency measures taken by homeowners.
Negotiators hammered out the extensive tax rebate package to continue investment credits for solar, wind, and geothermal energy. It also creates a new tax credit for purchasers of plug-in hybrid vehicles.
Homeowners could get a 30 percent tax credit for eight additional years for the cost of installing solar equipment at residences.
Homeowners could claim a tax credit of up to 10 percent of the costs of all qualified energy efficiency improvements, such as insulation, replacement windows, water heaters and heating and cooling equipment.
“This compromise will enable us to become a more energy efficient nation and wean us off our dependence on fossil fuels,” said Democrat Jeff Bingaman, chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.
For detailed information on the legislation see the United States Senate Committee on Energy & Natural Resources
Print This Post
Are you taking advantage of refrigerator & freezer recycle rebates?
September 18, 2008
As you are demo’ing your house in preparation for your remodel, stop before you take that used refrigerator or freezer to the dump! There are organizations that will haul away your refrigerator or freezer, pay you a rebate, and then recycle it!
Southern California Edison (SCE) is one such organization. They will pay you to recycle your old refrigerator or freezer. You will receive a $50 check for that working refrigerator or freezer. And, by swapping your old appliances with new, energy-efficient ones or disposing of a spare unit, you can save up to $292 per year on your energy bill says SCE (savings based on 2006, assuming average use and conditions. Actual savings may vary according to SCE).
To be eligible, you must be an SCE customer. The appliance must be picked up at your SCE service address. The appliance must be in working condition at the time of pick up. The size of the appliance must be between 10-27 cubic feet.
Check your local utility for similar rebate and recycle programs for appliances, such as refrigerators and freezers!
Print This Post
REBATES: Lowe’s is offering another 10% discount day
June 26, 2008
In the spirit of the 4th of July, Lowe’s is offering a 10% Discount on purchases up to $5,000 for Active, Reserve, Honorably, discharged, and Retired Military Personnel and Their Families.
If you qualify for this, get out and save some money on greener alternative products at Lowe’s such as:
- Energy Star Appliances
- HET-low-flush toilets
- Ceiling Fans
- Insulation and Caulking
- Dimmers and HVAC Filters
Print This Post
WINDOWS: How do you find rebates for your new windows?
June 21, 2008
Whether you select Pella, Andersen, Marvin, JELD-WEN, or another brand, windows are almost a certainty in your home remodel project. Did you know there are rebates and incentive plans in many areas of the country?
Window rebates are most often paid out based on the U-factor or Solar Heat Gain Coefficient by your power or Utility company. Many times these rebates have a budget, and once they are used up they are gone - so submit yours as soon as you can if there is a program in your area.
GetWithGreen searched the web and found you a fairly comprehensive list of rebates. Click here for the .pdf list of Utility Programs that Offer Incentives and Rebates for Energy Efficient Windows
Print This Post
SAVING WATER: What does the WaterSense label mean to your remodel?
June 6, 2008
Using water-efficient products we can save both our environment and money. WaterSense, a partnership program sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is making it easy for all of us homeowners to find and select water-efficient products.
On average, WaterSense labeled product use 20% more efficient than similar products that are not. To achieve a WaterSense label, a manufacturer must get their product certified against a specification from WaterSense.
WaterSense Labeled Home Products
Bathroom Sink Faucets -If every household installed a WaterSense labeled faucet or aerator we could save more than 60 billion gallons of water annually. By installing a WaterSense labeled faucet an average home will save 500 gallons each year - and this reduced demand of water requires less heating, which saves even more energy and money!
Here are the bathroom faucets and aerators you can find with WaterSense Labels:
- Delta (Lahara model)
- Moen (Banbury, Caldwell, FINA, Lindley, Muirfield, Rothbury models and more)
- Price Pfister (Ashfield, Falsetto, Hanover, Langston, SKYE, Vega, Virtue models)
- NEOPERL Aerators
Toilets -Inefficient toilets are responsible for much of the water wasted in American homes today. Replacing these toilets could save nearly 2 billion gallons annually. GetWithGreen.com covered the best of the best WaterSense toilets late last year. The ones we provided pricing for were high-efficiency toilets (HETs). Here is the WaterSense list:
- American Standard (Cadet, FloWise models)
- Caroma (Adelaide, Bondi, Brisbane, Read more
Print This Post
