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Month: April 2018

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Rebates for Seattle Area Home Owners!

Rebates for Seattle Area Home Owners!

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The City of Seattle offers a number of rebate programs designed to encourage homeowners to make improvements that will increase their homes’ energy efficiency.

Here are a few:

•laundry appliances – $50-$250

•water heaters – $500

•heating/cooling systems – $100-$1200

•windows – $50/window

•insulation – up to 50% of project cost

•showerheads – in-store discounts

•LED lighting – in-store discounts

Get details and rebate forms online at:

https://energysolutions.seattle.gov/your-home/rebates/

Professional home energy audits are often available for free or at reduced prices through the City of Seattle and from Puget Sound Energy. Energy Star is another source of helpful information and resources.

If you’d rather conduct your own, here’s where to download a PDF with instructions for doing just that.

http://www.seattle.gov/light/printdocs/DoItYourselfHome.PDF

You can also contact a Home Energy Advisor by phone 206-684-3800, or e-mail: SCLEnergyAdvisor@seattle.gov

Find even more rebates at www.dsireusa.org.

 

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How and Where to Get Financing for Home Energy Efficiency Upgrades

How and Where to Get Financing for Home Energy Efficiency Upgrades

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Ever heard of an EEM (energy efficiency mortgage) loan? Making your home more energy efficient may reduce your utility bills for the long term, but paying for the upgrades upfront can be a challenge. EEM’s can be one source.

Another potential source of funds is a traditional HELOC (home equity line of credit). Check with your bank, credit union or mortgage servicer for details and rates.

There are a number of financial institutions with programs specifically designed for financing energy efficiency upgrades. These are often called EEM loans (Energy Efficiency Mortgages).

Homeowners can take advantage of EEM’s to either finance energy efficient improvements to existing homes, including renewable energy technologies, or to increase their home-buying power when purchasing a new energy efficient home.

Puget Sound Cooperative Credit Union, Craft 3, and Umpqua Bank are just three financial institutions you can check out for EEM’s and similar loan programs.

If you’d like ideas and information about the variety of energy efficiency projects you might want to take on, consider attending The Northwest Green Home Tour on Sunday, April 28th and 29th. This is a multi-location event and free tickets are available (though a $10 donation is suggested). For a location map and more detailed information, go to: www.nwgreenhometour.org.