• 2006 Solar Energy Grant Program
  The Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) will begin accepting applications for solar energy grants on June 1st, 2006. This year $1.5 million, the most ever committed to solar energy by the Maryland State Government, will be available for residential, business, and local government installations. Incentives cover 20 percent of system cost in three categories: Solar water heating grants up to $2,000; Residential photovoltaic solar grants up to $3,000; Non-residential photovoltaic solar grants up to $5,000. Click above for more information on solar energy opportunities or call 800.723.6374, email meainfo@energy.state.md.us.  For more information about the County Energy Program contact Eric Coffman at 240.777.7754.
   
• Home Energy Efficiency Improvement Tax Credits
  Consumers who purchase and install specific products, such as energy-efficient windows, insulation, doors, roofs, and heating and cooling equipment in the home can receive a tax credit of up to $500 beginning in January 2006.

  The EPACT also provides a credit equal to 30% of qualifying expenditures for purchase for qualified photovoltaic property and for solar water heating property used exclusively for purposes other than heating swimming pools and hot tubs.   The credit shall not exceed $2000.

  Improvements must be installed in or on the taxpayer’s principal residence in the United States.  Home improvement tax credits apply for improvements made between January 1, 2006 and December 31, 2007.  http://www.doe.gov/taxbreaks.htm
   

• Consider setting your thermostat between 65 and 70 degrees during the day and slightly lower at night.  If you'll be away from home for more than a few hours, set the thermostat below 60 degrees.  A programmable thermostat can help maintain comfortable temperatures when you are home, but will automatically lower the temperature when you are away AND LOWER YOUR HEATING BILL.
   
• Change a light -- Lighting our homes can represent 20 percent of home electricity bills and is one of the easiest places to start saving energy. If every household changed a light to an Energy Star one, together we'd save enough energy to light 7 million homes and reduce greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to that of 1 million cars.
  
  Replace the five most frequently used lights, or the bulbs in them, with one's that have earned the Energy Star, and save more than $60 each year in energy costs.  Environmental Protection Agency

                    Direct: 301-681-4504                     Office: 301-588-1000

Fax 301-588-2200

      Copyright © 2006 Carole Levin. All rights reserved.