Celebrate the Season of Savings: Four Ways to Save Money on Energy Costs
As we move towards cooler temperatures and the festivities of the holiday season, it’s the perfect time to consider taking steps to make your home more energy-efficient. This can lower your energy costs, and you can take advantage of federal and local programs designed to help you save.
Here are four ways you can give yourself the gift of savings while making your home more energy-efficient:
Federal Tax Credits – At the federal level, Rewiring America encourages electrification or “going electric,” which means replacing appliances that use fossil fuels (coal, oil and gas) with ones that use electricity. Other examples include replacing your gas-powered car with an electric vehicle and replacing your propane-powered furnace with a heat pump. And for your electrification efforts, many savings programs (tax credits) have been made available. To navigate these programs and learn more about eligibility, go to Federal Tax Credit Calculator.
State Energy Rebates – Florida is set to roll out nearly $346 million in rebate programs to help residents upgrade their homes with energy-efficient retrofits and high-efficiency appliances. These programs include:
- Whole Home Rebates (HOMES) – Incentives for whole-home energy improvements.
- Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR) – Assistance for replacing fossil fuel-powered appliances with electric alternatives.
These rebates are anticipated to be available starting at the end of 2024/beginning of 2025. To check the status of the rebate programs, go to FDACS.
Orange County Initiatives – Orange County Utilities’ goal is to conserve and maintain high-quality water. To this end, its Water Wise Program is designed to increase water efficiency, reduce water costs, and conserve water. For more information, go to Orange County Conserve Water.
Local Utilities Rebates and Incentives –
- Duke Energy offers free home energy evaluations as well as a variety of incentives. Learn more at Duke Energy: Energy Efficiency and Duke Energy: Energy Incentives.
- Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC) offers free assessments, energy rebates and incentives for residents. Go to Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC): Water and Energy.
- TECO: Natural Gas offers ways to save and rebates at TECO: Save Energy.
Extra Help for Low-Income Homeowners – If you are a low-income homeowner, your home may be eligible for assistance with repairs to reduce energy costs or eliminate code violations. Discover more about the program and eligibility by visiting Orange County Housing Rehabilitation.
This holiday season let’s light up our homes with energy savings, not just holiday lights. Together, we can reduce energy costs, protect the planet, and keep our homes comfortable and efficient for years to come.