Did you make a New Year’s resolution to lower your energy use?

We’ve put together a list of the current available rebates and incentives that can help you meet your stretch goals – and in this economic climate, who couldn’t use a little extra cash?

Transportation
•    Hybrid cars
Toyota and Honda have sold out of federal tax credits, but Ford, Nissan, GM and others qualify. Click HERE to see what makes and models are eligible.

•    Commuter benefits
If you ride transit or vanpool, there is a federal commuter tax benefit of up to $115/month, though not all businesses offer them. Many large businesses offer commuter benefits, or employees could ask their business to offer them. Click HERE for more information.

•    Find a local carpool
The easiest way to double your gas mileage, cut car expenses, and help fight congestion is to rideshare. Find a rideshare partner easily online through www.trafficsolutions.info. Even if you just start with two days a week, you can make a large difference. To sweeten the deal, Traffic Solutions is currently offering $100 raffle prizes for carpoolers who use their Traffic Solutions commute calendar. To can learn more about Carpool for Cash, visit Traffic Solutions' website.

Replacing big appliances
•    Refrigerator rebates
You can receive $50 back from Southern California Edison (SCE) on an ENERGY STAR qualified refrigerator. Learn more on SCE's website.

•    Refrigerator and freezer recycling program
You can receive $50 for your old, working refrigerator or freezer. Better still, SCE will come to your house to pick it up. Learn more on SCE's website.

Other home conservation ideas
You can get a one-time federal income tax credit of up to $500 for installing specific energy-efficient windows, insulation, doors, roofs, and heating and cooling equipments in your home.

•    Exterior windows
10 percent of the total cost, up to $200. Includes skylights and storm windows. Learn more HERE.

•    Insulation, exterior doors, or roofs
10 percent of the cost of the product (but not the installation), up to $500. Includes seals to limit air infiltration, such as caulk, weather stripping, and foam sealants, as well as storm doors. Learn more HERE.

•    Central air conditioner, heat pump, water heater, or bio gas stove
Up to $300 toward the full purchase price, including installation costs. Starting in 2009, geothermal heat pumps are instead eligible for a separate tax credit for 30 percent of the cost up to a maximum credit of $2,000. Learn more HERE.

You can get $50 back on an ENERGY STAR qualified room air conditioner from SCE. Learn more HERE.

SCE offers up to $600 for an energy efficient evaporative cooling system. Click HERE to learn more.

•    Furnace or boiler
Up to $150 towards the full purchase price, and/or $50 for an efficient air-circulating fan in a furnace, including installation cost. Learn more HERE.

•    Whole house fan rebate
You can get $50 back from SCE on a Whole House Fan. Learn more on SCE's website.

•    Pool pump and motor rebates
You can get $200 back for a Two-speed pump or Variable-speed pool pump purchased and installed. Learn more HERE.

•    SCE’s rebates and programs for heating and cooling
Join SCE Summer Discount Plan and save up to $200 annually. Learn more  HERE.  

•    Lighting rebates
SCE's Operation Light Exchange allows residential customers to exchange halogen torchiere floor lamps and incandescent floor/table/desk lamps/night lights for new Energy Star labeled lamps.  Learn more HERE.

Hot water on demand
•    Electric water heater rebates
You can get $30 back from for purchasing an energy efficient electric water heater. Learn more HERE.


Generate your own electricity
•    California State Incentives
Photovoltaic rebates given through the California Solar Initiative are performance-based incentives that reward properly installed and maintained solar systems. The incentives are determined according to the system size.

For PV systems greater than or equal to 50 kilowatts in size, incentives are paid monthly based on the actual energy produced over a period of five years. Residential and Commercial customers will earn $0.34/kWh and Government and Nonprofits will earn $0.32/kWh.

 All systems smaller than 50 kilowatts will receive a one-time, up-front r    ebate based on expected system performance, which is calculated from equipment ratings and installation factors, such as geographic location, tilt, orientation and shading. Residential and Commercial customers can earn up to $2.20/watt and Government and Nonprofits can earn up to $2.30/watt.

•    Federal tax credit
The federal Energy Improvement and Extension Act of 2008 provides incentives for homeowners and businesses to install solar by extending the federal tax credit. Between January 2009 and December 2016, homeowners can receive a 30% tax credit – with no cap - for installing photovoltaic or solar domestic water heating projects. Businesses can also receive a 30% tax credit – with no cap - on photovoltaic, solar thermal, concentrating solar power, and solar hybrid lighting projects.

    >>Download CEC’s Get Started with Solar brochure to learn more.