Incentives

When considering the initial cost of a technology, be sure to investigate any incentives or rebates that may be available. Innovative technologies are often given a boost by federal, state, and local governments or utility companies when these entities perceive an overall advantage to getting the technology more widely adopted in the marketplace. These incentives are certainly available with renewable technologies but may also hold true with other technologies, such as lighting, high-efficiency equipment and appliances, and energy retrofits. As they roll our new products, manufacturers may give discounted pricing on certain items. A good place to start your search for available incentives is www.dsireusa.com. DOE’s website, www.energy.gov, also provides a list of available incentives for each state.

Incentive programs are widely varied of on multiple levels. For example, in the state of Maryland, Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE) offers a variety of discounts and rebates to increase energy efficiency in homes and buildings through its Smart Energy Savers Program. If your project includes replacing and upgrading your HVAC equipment, the program offers up to $900 in rebates for ENERGY STAR-certified heating and cooling equipment. Similar incentives are available for a variety of other building components. These incentives not only help offset the initial cost of a project but also will begin paying for themselves through the savings achieved after they are installed. Remember to check with your local utility company to see what it offers.