For the federal tax break, if you managed to add insulation or replace windows, doors or appliances such as clothes washers with more energy efficient models before Dec. 31, congratulations. You’re eligible for a federal tax credit worth 30 percent of the cost of a given item.
If you make the improvements this year, the 30 percent tax credit shrank to 10 percent.
However, there are caps in place. You can deduct up to $200 for energy-efficient windows, $150 for furnaces and boilers and $300 for water heaters and air conditioning systems. Total deductions for tax purposes can’t exceed $500.
Hefty ongoing rebates are available in 2011 from Dayton Power & Light and Vectren for replacing water heaters, furnaces, boilers, and other appliances. Additionally, DP&L is subsidizing compact fluorescent light bulbs sold all over the region that can shave electric bills.
The most recent figures available show that since 2009 DP&L subsidized 3.5 million fluorescent bulbs. It also provided $2.7 million in rebates on 5,953 heat pumps and air conditioners. The utility issued $115,525 in rebates for refrigerators and freezers, picking up 4,624 of the discarded units. Five hundred and fifty business customers received $3.5 million in rebates.
Vectren Corporation, natural gas provider to 17 Ohio counties, has given $2 million in 19,000 separate rebates in Ohio since its program began in 2009, officials said.
Spokeswoman Chase Kelley said consumers, by upgrading to more efficient water heaters and furnaces, saved 1.1 million cubic feet of natural gas, enough to power 1,500 homes for a year. Kelley said Vectren can provide rebates of up to $3 million annually.
The federal tax package also extended incentives for geothermal, solar and wind power and subsidies for corn ethanol and coal to liquid fuel schemes.
Sean Garren of Environment America said more than 1,300 renewable energy projects and around 75,000 jobs in the wind and solar industries have been supported by federal tax incentives.
To learn more about Dayton Power & Light rebates and other services, telephone (800) 433-8500 for residential customers or (800) 253-5801 for business customers or visit on the Internet — dpandl.com
For Vectren rebates, telephone (866) 240-8476 or visit on the Internet — vectrenenergy.com/web/eenablement/learn_about/conservation/ohio_rebates_i.jsp
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