Our goal with the NPower campaign is to focus on the many free ways you can save energy. You don’t have to spend money to save money! But, there are many price-tagged projects that have a very attractive return on investment (ROI), and for some you can receive rebates and cash incentives that provide further reason to make the effort.
In this tough economic climate, the availability of rebates is a very fluid arena. Money comes in and quickly runs out. Sadly too, in Collier County, unlike many parts of Florida, we lack any energy-focused local level government rebate programs; almost all of the incentives offered are by our electric utility But, we’ll update this site frequently, so please check back and please let us know if new rebate tips come through your inbox. Happy shopping!
Do visit DSIRE, the Department of Energy’s database of all state level incentives and rebates related to energy.
1) Get a Free Energy Audit from Florida Power and Light
Whether you are a business or a homeowner, nothing beats a one-on-one on education about your building’s energy systems. FPL can help with an online survey and specific details on your home’s energy hogs and areas that could be improved. Call 239-262-1322 for the Naples Residential Customer Care Center.
2) Save Up to Half the Cost of Additional Insulation
If your audit shows that you’d benefit from additional ceiling insulation (and the majority of homes surveyed will), by using an approved contractor you’ll receive an instant check from FPL. It can cover up to 50% of the cost!
3) Air Conditioning System Upgrades
A calculator is provided here by FPL, which estimates your electricity savings and gives an idea of the potential rebate. Again, you can only use participating contractors.
4) Duct System Repairs
If you use an approved contractor to inspect your AC duct system, you can receive a discounted inspection fee and up to $154 toward the cost of repairs.
5) Roof Replacement
If you qualify, you can receive up to $325 from FPL to replace your roof with reflective, energy-saving material.
6) Low-Income Heating and Cooling Program
If you are receiving food stamps or if your household income is less than federal income limits, you may qualify for assistance to pay heating and cooling costs.
7) Renewable Energy
There is no additional funding for the state-led solar rebate program, but we do have a permanent sales tax exemption for solar energy systems. In place until 2016 is a federal tax credit up to 30% of the installation cost for residential renewable energy systems.
FPL recently launched a rebate for solar panels and hot water heater systems, but funding for the 2011 has been exhausted. Check back in 2012!
8) Watch This Space…
….for PACE
The ultimate in tackling the cost conundrum, PACE stands for Property Assessed Clean Energy and is a solution to some of the larger upfront costs that energy retrofits can entail. Collier County is exploring the applicability of a PACE financing program at this time. If the county moves ahead, participating homeowners will be able to borrow additional funds needed to pay for projects, such as new windows or high-efficiency air conditioning systems, and the loan would become part of that property’s tax assessments. Check out PACE Collier for more information and get involved to keep up to date with progress in our region.
