Check all levels of government and local utilities to find all the energy efficiency tax credits and rebates for your home insulation.

You may get multiple energy efficiency rebates from Federal, State, county, city, and utility programs.

• A major advantage of getting 3-4 free insulation contractor bids is to learn about all energy conservation rebates that apply to your insulation installation.
• Your evaluation of an insulation contractors knowledge of all levels of local energy efficiency rebates is an important part of selecting the right insulation contractor.
• DIY insulation is typically included in energy efficiency rebate programs.

Federal tax credits for energy efficiency

• EnergyStar.gov is the best resource for all Federal tax credits for energy efficiency and related rebates.
• It is an excellent website that is easy to use, current, and complete.
• It provides the necessary forms and describes how to apply for all Federal home insulation tax credits energy efficiency rebates.

State tax credits for energy efficiency

• Most states have some energy efficiency tax credits for retrofit home insulation projects. Some even have low-income grants for residential insulation.
• Some programs include insulation installation as well as the insulation materials.
• To find your state government website Google "(your state) official website". You can do the same to find your state, county, city, and utility websites. Search the site for "energy efficiency" or "energy conservation" tax rebates or credits.
• Beware of look alike fake websites. Check for ".gov"

City and County energy efficiency rebates

• Overlapping jurisdictions may mean you can get help with different parts of your home insulation projects from different government entities.
• Different insulation materials may qualify for energy efficiency tax credits in some locations and not others.
• For example, radiant barrier home insulation may qualify in some states and cities with hot and humid climates even though it does not qualify for any Federal energy conservation rebates.

Insulation contactors & energy conservation rebates

• One advantage of getting 3-4 bids from insulation contractors is you are more likely to gain a clear picture of all energy efficiency rebates that apply to your home insulation.
• Local insulation contractors should be able to provide you with complete information (and the necessary forms) for obtaining all energy efficiency rebates for your home insulation upgrades.
• Do not assume any one insulation contractor knows all the energy efficiency rebates you can obtain.
• One very important way to evaluate insulation contractors is to compare their knowledge of all energy efficiency rebates and how to get the most out of them.

Utilities & energy conservation rebates

• All major utilities have websites that should have information on all current local energy efficiency tax credit programs.
• Check with your utility provider to learn how to get paid for doing the energy conservation that will save you the most money.
• Some will give you cash credits on your utility bill for using less energy!
• For example:
  • Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) has detailed information on a wide range of energy conservation rebate, credit, and incentive programs for homes in Northern California at www.PGE.com/rebates. Their Smarter Energy Efficiency Hot Line is 1-800-933-9555.

Building permit & energy conservation rebates

• Some energy efficiency rebates for residential insulation my require proof that a necessary permit was obtained.
• Be sure to confirm if your home insulation projects are ones that require local building permits. Some do. Many insulation contractors prefer to skip getting the legally required permits.
• The benefit for you is that a building inspector will help confirm the insulation installation was done right.
• The inspector will also confirm that the amount of insulation is sufficient to meet the minimum energy efficiency standards needed for sensible energy conservation in your location.
• Your local building department is likely to be very helpful about home insulation tips and energy efficiency rebates.
• They can be located from your city or county website. Search the site for energy efficiency, energy conservation, or insulation permits.

Summary

• If you do your energy conservation homework, and ask questions, you will get the right home insulation done right.
• Getting a good value from your energy conservation dollar is worth the effort. The benefits in financial and energy savings will accrue every month for many years.