Homeowners often ask about rebates or incentives that will help them make improvements to their home. And recently, I went to a Green Building Expo in downtown Chicago where a panel spoke on this very topic and the underlying message that I came away with is:
“The money is out there, so go get it…”
It’s true – for business owners, homeowners, and building owners, basically anyone. If you are contemplating on making improvements to your home, business, or investment property, visit the Database for State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency. This organization compiles ALL of the available incentives and rebates across the nation to help making improvements more affordable. These improvements range from replacing a refrigerator or washing machine with an ENERGY STAR unit to adding renewable energy generation to your building. The rebates and incentives include state, federal, utility, and non-profit organization looking to make an impact. If you are building a new home, consider getting a HERS Rating so you may qualify for the $2000 Builder Tax Credit.
Some of these programs require an energy audit up front (and maybe after the improvements have been made too). As a person who has devoted my professional career to performance testing on buildings, I think it is slightly crazy to make alterations or improvements to a building without performance testing BEFORE and AFTER the measure was installed. Think about it – would a surgeon want to remove a tumor from a cancer patient without first taking images of the patient to determine the size/location of the tumor? After removal, wouldn’t the surgeon want to take images to see if the tumor was effectively removed?
I am not trying to compare building improvements to cancer; I’m just trying to set the tone for an industry where ‘improvements’ are largely just guesses at what will work. Performance testing is key to making improvements to a building, and incentives/rebates are the link to getting building owners to make moves.
If you are considering improving your property, contact us and we’ll gladly find your largest opportunities for improvement and link you with any rebates that you qualify for.
