Contact: Priscilla Knight, 703-392-1580, pknight@novec.com
NORTHERN VIRGINIA—The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, signed into law by President Barack Obama on February 17, 2009, provides money to help Americans weatherize their homes and make energy efficiency improvements. Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative customer-owners may be eligible to receive free weatherization services or tax credits for energy-saving home renovations.
“The state of our economy has left many NOVEC customers searching for ways to reduce their utility bills,” says Stan Feuerberg, president and CEO of the Co-op. “We’re ready to help our customers use energy wisely to accomplish that. Our residential customers will be more comfortable while improving the environment and saving energy under the DOE program,” explains Feuerberg. “Making our nation more energy efficient takes all of us, and the stimulus bill will encourage many of our customers to participate.”
Home Weatherization
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, weatherization—the process of sealing air leaks and properly insulating a home—can reduce heating bills by up to 32 percent, resulting in an average energy savings of $350 per home per year.
Effective March 12, 2009, the Recovery Act increased the DOE portion of funding for low-income weatherization efforts by more than 20 times over a two year period based on fiscal year 2008 funding levels. Virginia will receive $94 million. Under the new provisions, a family of four, for instance, with an income of $44,100 or less may be eligible for home weatherization. (A larger family with a higher income may also be eligible.) For information about eligibility, visit www.eere.energy.gov/weatherization/.
The program will pay for energy professionals to use a blower-door test to locate air leaks in a home. Crews will then add insulation to the attic and walls, seal air leaks, and install more efficient heating and cooling systems, if needed. The weatherization process usually takes two days and provides an average of $6,500 in services to eligible recipients.
In Virginia, homeowners should contact the Weatherization Assistance Program at: Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, 501 North Second Street, Richmond, VA 23219-1321; phone: 804-371-7000; fax: 804-371-7091, to apply for weatherization services. For more information, they should visit www.dhcd.virginia.gov/housingpreservationrehabilitation/weatherization_assistance.htm.
NOVEC customers who are not eligible for the low-income weatherization program may call 703-392-1503 or 1-888-335-0500, extension 1503, or e-mail energyservices@novec.com and speak to one of the experts in NOVEC's Energy Services Department. Customers will receive a professional evaluation of their energy consumption, energy-saving tips, and advice about potential savings with energy conservation measures. NOVEC also offers energy conservation information at www.novec.com/useitwisely.
Tax Credits for Energy Upgrades
Taxpayers will receive tax credits* of up to $1,500, or 30 percent of the cost, for certain energy-efficient upgrades they place in service in their principal residences from January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2010. Upgrades include highly energy-efficient windows, doors, and heating and air conditioning systems. Tax credits will also be given for placing in service certain solar, geothermal, wind and fuel cell systems. Restrictions apply.
The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 provided tax credits for 2009, but the act had a $500 limit (with additional caps for certain types of upgrades) and it only covered up to 10 percent of a tax payer’s investment. The new plan extends the program another year and raises the caps.
“Some NOVEC customers may have looked at the tax credits in the past and thought they weren’t cost-effective,” notes Feuerberg. “The stimulus package triples the amount of the potential tax credit. When combined with the savings in energy costs each year, energy-efficiency upgrades become much more affordable and economically prudent.”
For specific information about the energy-efficiency tax credits, consult with a tax accountant and visit www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=products.pr_tax_credits.
