About 6 months ago my washer began making a horrible noise. It sounded as if metal was scraping on metal as the drum turned. In denial that something was seriously wrong with the machine, I continued using it. After heading down the path of denial for about two more months, the machine eventually gave me a tell-tale sign that it was time to part ways – it started to smell as if something was burning. I live on the third floor of a condo complex, so the idea of either accidently burning down my complex or flooding the units below mine was enough to send me on a mad internet search to find my next washer. How exciting! A new washer! Okay, not really. I could think of several other things I would like to spend that money on, but I decided if I was going to spend the money, I was going to upgrade from the very basic machine I had been using. So, I spent hours comparing prices, features, credit plans, delivery options…the whole nine yards. I finally narrowed down my selections to my top few and headed into my local home improvement store. Despite all of my research, I ended up buying a washer that was a step above what I originally had my mind set on. It was priced just right and had all of the features I was looking for, and lucky for me it was also Energy Star rated, meaning it met energy-efficiency standards. Because of budget limitations, originally I wasn’t sure that I was going to be able to afford this type of washer. It’s too bad that my washer hadn’t waited a few months to break, because the cost wouldn’t have been as much of an issue. Until the end of this year, SRP is offering a $75 rebate for new washers that meet energy-efficiency standards. The new machines must use 35 percent less water and 50 percent less energy. APS hopes to implement a similar rebate program in 2010. So, if you are an SRP customer and ready to buy a new washer, now is the time to upgrade. Take it from experience; you’ll notice a big difference with your energy efficient washer.

Holly
Public Relations

SRP’s Solar Hot Water Rebates Have Not Decreased

Even though there is still time to take advantage of the current SRP solar rebates, I’ve had many people tell me they can’t make the financial commitment before the end of the month. If you want to become energy independent, but need to wait on installing a solar system, there are small steps you can take. A solar water heater is less expensive than a complete solar system, and is a step in the right direction. Not to mention, the SRP rebate decrease does not affect solar water heating systems, at least for now.

SRP customers who install a solar water heating system qualify for a payment of $.50/kilowatt hour of energy savings. On top of that, the Arizona government gives a 25 percent credit, up to $1,000, and the federal government offers a 30 percent credit, up to $2,000. These credits and rebates can save you a lot of money! For example, a $5,000 solar system would only cost $1,590 and could save more than $200 a year (depending on energy usage) on your electricity bill. This means the solar water heating system will have paid for itself in less than 7 years. While this option does not completely eliminate an electric bill, it can shave off a chunk of the expense.

There’s no telling when these incentives will decrease or disappear altogether. If you’re curious to know how much a new solar water heating system would cost for your home, give a certified solar installer a call for a quote.

Holly
Public Relations

In case you hadn’t heard, beginning June 1, SRP is decreasing the rebates for customers investing in solar systems. Right now, they are offering a big incentive to install solar on your home. SRP is giving a rebate of $3.00 per watt, up to 20,000 watts. Sadly, this great deal goes away at the end of this month. In June, the SRP rebate will decrease to $2.70 per watt, and a cap will be placed at 5,000 watts.

While 30 cents doesn’t sound like much, when you crunch the numbers the total amount saved with the current SRP rebate is huge! Most desert dwellers use much more than 5,000 watts of electricity per year. On my home for example, my average monthly SRP bill is $350. This is equivalent to a 15,000 watt solar system. If I waited until next month to secure my SRP rebate, I would lose out on more than $31,000. I don’t know about you, but I can’t afford to lose that money! If you are an SRP customer, now is the time to take advantage of the solar rebate!

Although the deadline is right around the corner, it’s not too late to get your hands on the SRP rebate. A local solar installation company such as Harmon Solar can help with all of the details and should be able to get it done in about a week. Thankfully, you only need to have the solar panel design and plan postmarked by May 31, and the system can be installed and certified later. To speed up the process, contact SRP to find out your total electricity usage for 2008. This will help a solar installation company design a system that works best for you.

If the rebate savings is not incentive enough to make the change, keep in mind the solar system will pay for itself in a few years depending on your average electricity use. Even better, if a system is designed well, it’s possible to eliminate an electric bill altogether! Who knows where energy rates will be 10 or 20 years from now or how readily available electricity will be. Every time I turn around, I hear of another rate hike, and it’s likely only going to get worse. A solar system not only saves money in the long run, it eliminates energy dependence, which in this day-and-age is priceless.

Holly
Public Relations