Cash for KITCHEN Clunkers!

You've heard of Cash for Clunkers as it relates to cars, right? Did you know you can get cash for your fridge?

Between the refrigerator, oven, microwave, and lights, kitchens can consume a lot of energy, but here are some ways to reduce your kitchen’s energy usage and save some money:

“Right size” your appliances: The larger your appliances, the more energy they consume. And, large appliances take up more space, meaning you’ll need to heat and cool additional square footage to accommodate them. Finding the “right size” appliance to fit your needs—instead of just buying the largest one available—can help you to save energy.

Replace old refrigerators: If your refrigerator is more than 10 years old, it might be time to consider replacing it. Old refrigerators can account for up to 15 percent of a home’s energy consumption. Newer refrigerators, especially ENERGY STAR ones , consume significantly less energy than older ones—sometimes as little as one-quarter of the energy. And try not to be tempted to keep the old refrigerator running in the garage—running two refrigerators will just increase your energy costs! Many local utility companies offer rebates to pick up your old refrigerator if it’s still operational. Click here to have your fridge picked up, and get paid to do it!

Use your dishwasher: Although dishwashers are energy intensive, they also use less water than hand-washing, so as long as you use your dishwasher wisely, running the dishwasher can be a good thing. Dishwashers today are built to handle food remnants, so resist the urge to pre-rinse before putting your dishes in the dishwasher—basically you are just doing double-duty (and increasing your water bill). Also, always make sure you run a full load—dishwashers always use the same amount of water, so the more dishes you can fit in a load, the more energy efficient it will be.

As with a refrigerator, if your dishwasher is old, consider replacing it—replacing a pre-1994 dishwasher with an ENERGY STAR model can save $30 a year on utility costs.

• Cook smart: Making small changes to the way you cook can definitely increase your energy efficiency. For example:* Put a lid on pots and pans: it will decrease time on the burner.*
• Unplug appliances: Even when not in use, some appliances may still be consuming standby energy.*
• Size matters: If you are making a meal, think about using a toaster oven or the microwave—both consume significantly less energy than a regular oven.

ENERGY UPGRADES can YIELD TAX CREDITS!

If you’ve been putting off energy-efficient home upgrades, now may be the time to take on some home improvement projects.

Thanks to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, you've heard about new incentives for consumers to eliminate outdated, inefficient building systems that affect residents’ comfort and pocketbooks.

The stimulus bill expanded and extended the tax credits for the home improvements that had expired in 2007. That means through 2010, consumers can claim a 30 percent tax credit for costs of buying things like new windows, furnaces and insulation. The lifetime cap is $1,500. (Before, consumers only could claim 10 percent of the costs and the cap was $500.)

Among the common home projects covered are:

• Exterior windows, including skylights and storm windows;
• Insulation, exterior doors and roofs, including sealants to minimize air infiltration (caulk, weather stripping and sealants), and storm doors
• Central air conditioning; heat pumps; furnaces and boilers; and water heaters.

Because there are certain quirks and deadlines associated with what does and doesn’t meet the guidelines, you have to be careful looking at what exactly qualifies.

Homeowners able to make more significant investments may want to consider some longer-term energy solutions, such as:

• Geothermal heat pumps
• Solar photovoltaic cells
• Solar water heaters, and fuel cells

They’re eligible for the 30 percent tax credit and there’s no maximum cost.

Again, it’s important to understand all the criteria to receive full tax benefits.

Resources:

• Alliance to Save Energy: offers an easy-to-follow guide on the available tax credits
• Energy Star: offers information and a Q&A about the Federal tax credits.
• Flex Your Power: lets you search by zip code for energy-efficient rebates and incentives in California
• The Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency: is another source for information on California-specific financial incentives for energy upgrades.

Looking to buy or sell property with a proven Realtor: Call today: 858-245-6709