Federal tax credits are available to homeowners who make energy efficiency improvements or invest in solar energy systems.

If you’re starting to think ahead to filing your 2010 federal tax return, keep in mind that energy efficiency improvements made to your home this year may entitle you to a tax credit. Adding insulation and replacing windows — the two components of Chelan County PUD’s weatherization program — can put you in line for both the PUD rebate and federal tax credit.

The tax credit  for insulation and windows is for 30 percent of the cost up to $1,500. The home must be an existing home and your principal residence. New construction and rentals do not qualify. The credit is for materials only; installation costs can’t be included. The credit expires Dec. 31, 2010.

Tax credit amounts for other measures vary as do expiration dates. Energy Star maintains a detailed listing of energy-efficiency measures that qualify and answers to frequently asked questions. It’s a good idea to consult your tax advisor as well.

Local celebrities share their energy- and water-saving tips
We asked people active in our communities — local celebrities, if you will — to share their favorite conservation tips. Watch the video to learn what the mayor of Wenatchee, the Apple Blossom queen, the AppleSox Coyote and others are doing to save energy and water.

Do you have a favorite tip? Post a comment to share yours.

Calculate the cost of making your morning coffee on Chelan PUD's Website.

A new feature on Chelan County PUD’s Website  allows customers to calculate the energy cost of everything from coffeemakers to hot tub heaters.

You can choose from a list of pre-defined appliances and wattages, or you can type specific information in. To be completely accurate, you’ll need to know the wattage of each applliance and how many minutes or hours it’s used each day. The calculator tells you how many kilowatt hours are consumed and the total cost.

Heating, cooling and hot water use the most energy in your home, so those are two good places to start when you’re looking to save energy. Lower your heating thermostat at night (or in the summer, set your AC thermostat a little higher). Every degree can take 2 percent off your power bill. Set your water heater at 120 degrees F.

The appliance calculator is available here.

The average cost of running your coffeemaker, by the way, is 14 cents a month. The average cost of operating your hot tub heater is $14 a month.

Ready to get rid of that old clunky clothes washer? How about ditching that retro refrigerator in your garage used basically for a beverage cooler?

Rebates are available for high-efficiency clothes washers and Energy Star refrigerators through the new Washington State Cash for Appliances program. Using federal stimulus funds, the state Department of Commerce is offering $100 rebates on high-efficiency clothes washers and $75 rebates on Energy Star® refrigerators.

The program is expected to result in 15,000 fridges and 45,000 clothes washers being replaced by new efficient models, saving Washington residents approximately $1,006,607 in energy costs, saving 355 million gallons of water and preventing 8,042 tons (16,083,192 lbs.) of CO2 annually.

To be eligible, consumers must recycle their old appliances and provide proof.
The appliances must be purchased on or after March 15, 2010.  Rebates are available while funds last.

Details and application forms are available here.

A steady stream of seemingly endless hot water is one goal of tankless water heaters, but the PUD does not recommend electric tankless heaters.

Since about 20 percent of a home’s energy costs are the result of heating hot water, many customers contact Chelan PUD about alternatives to the standard water tank. One popular option considered by these consumers is the on-demand water heater, also known as “tankless” or “instantaneous.” 

Traditional storage water heaters keep water hot at all times, even when it’s not being used, which produces standby energy losses. In other words, you’re spending money to keep water hot even when you don’t need it. On-demand water heaters provide hot water only as it is needed. 

Sounds like a good idea, but the PUD does not recommend electric on-demand water heaters. “The reason for this is the high electric demand these units require,” said Mark Wiser, residential program manager. “An electric on-demand water heater large enough for a family of four will require approximately 20 kilowatts (20,000 watts) of power to operate. This compares to 4 kilowatts for an electric water heater with a storage tank or 13 to 16 kilowatts for an electric furnace or air-source heat pump.” 

Customers might need to upgrade their service panel to handle the extra load. Plus the units themselves are expensive, Wiser said, costing two to three times more than a storage tank water heater. 

On the other hand, Wiser noted, gas and propane on-demand water heaters work very well, don’t have a big electrical demand, and are eligible for a federal tax credit.

Related article
Demand water heaters (Department of Energy Web site)