Reaping the Benefits of Greener Living
Living Green
It’s no secret that going green can cost you money up front. It’s also no secret that those green changes you make – low flow shower heads, xeriscaped yards, solar water heaters and more – will save you money over time. What’s less well known is the number of immediate cash benefits you can realize when you choose to make greener choices when renovating, remodeling or building. Because what’s good for the environment is good for the community, there are many government programs and incentives offered by utility companies to entice people into making greener choices. Here are just a few of the enticements that you can score when you choose to reduce your impact on the environment.
Sales Tax Exemption for Renewable Energy Exemption
The equipment for solar energy systems has been exempt from Florida sales and use tax since 1997, and that exemption was made permanent in 2005. As of July 2006, the exemption also applies to technologies other than solar. It applies to any system that uses renewable energy instead of conventional sources of energy like natural gas, oil, manufactured gas or electricity. It includes Solar Water Heat, Solar Space Heat, Photovoltaics, Renewable Fuel Vehicles, Fuel Cells, Solar Pool Heating, Refueling Stations, Ethanol, Biodiesel. Yes, if you drive a car that uses alternative energy sources, you can get your sales and use tax back on it.
Solar Energy System Incentives Program
Get $500 back when you install a solar hot water heater in your single family residence. Get $100 back for a solar pool heater. If you use solar electricity (photovoltaic power), you can get up to $20,000 back in rebates based on how much PV you use at the rate of $4 per watt DC.
Tampa Electric Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program
Tampa Electric offers a variety of rebates as incentives to encourage energy efficiency among its residential customers. Among those are rebates of $100-250 on heat pumps, a flat rate cost of $79 for ductwork, and a $100 ceiling insulation incentive. In addition, new homes under construction may qualify for further rebates under the Energy Plus Home program.
People’s Gas Energy Conservation Rebates
People’s Gas offers rebates ranging from $65 to $625 when you replace your existing appliances with energy efficient gas appliances. There are allowances for replacing your clothes dryer, heating system, space heaters, cooking appliance and tank or tankless hot water systems with high efficiency gas appliances.
Details: Peoples Gas Rebates
Tax Credit for Hybrid and Alternative Energy Vehicles
The Energy Policy Act of 2005 is a national law that creates a pro-rated tax credit scheme for people who purchase one of the qualifying automobiles. The credits can be deducted directly from national income tax up until the five calendar quarters after a manufacturer records the sale of its 60,000th vehicle. Those credits range from $4,000 to $387.50 depending on the make and model of the vehicle. In addition, certified hybrid vehicles can use the HOV crossover lane regardless of passenger occupancy.
Details: Hybrid Tax Credits
Other utility companies in the state also manage incentive programs for using energy more efficiently that are similar to the ones above. Check with your local utility companies to find out what rebate programs are available in your area.
Many of the state’s counties also have rebates available for making the right green choices, and other counties that are considering some unusual incentives to convince residents that their favorite color is green. Hillsborough County, for instance, proposed incentives for developers and builders who install green roofs – roofs planted with vegetation to help insulate the building and reduce energy use and temperature. Oviedo is considering incentives of up to $1000 to homeowners willing to tear up their water guzzling lawns in favor of xeriscaping, which uses indigenous plants to reduce water use. Parkland just approved cash incentives to residents who buy a hybrid car, install low flow toilets and shower heads, and solar panels.
If You’re Building
If you’re building or buying new construction, there may be even more rebates and incentives available to you. Some lenders may offer special incentive rates on mortgages and loans for particular green systems. Manufacturers may join with municipalities and utility companies to offer rebates when specific standards of sustainable use and energy efficiency are met. The current incentives are only the start of things and the tip of the iceberg. Expect to see more incentives and rebates for the next five to eight years, on both new construction and renovations and remodels alike.
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Date: Saturday, November, 24th 2007 @ 10:57:49 AMViews: 3813
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