By Shaun Bailey , Marketing and Communications Specialist, Partnership for the Delaware Estuary

Published on November 14, 2007
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Every year it’s inevitable. As temperatures fall and daylight diminishes throughout the autumn season, energy bills rise to perhaps their highest levels of the year. Meanwhile, homeowners are left scrambling for ways to shrink their utility bills as the holiday spending season inches closer. Fortunately for citizens throughout the Delaware Estuary, a variety of programs are available to help them reduce both their monthly expenses and their ecological footprint.

Depending on your state of residency, there may be a program available that offers rebates on purchases of high-efficiency fixtures such as Energy Star-rated refrigerators, furnaces, and windows, just to name a few (see table). Couple these savings with a 10-to-50-percent reduction in your home energy bills and it’s easy to see how replacing and recycling your outdated appliances can be a wise financial decision. To determine which items you should consider replacing first, try taking an online survey called a “home energy audit” at www.EnergyStar.gov or www.EnergyHog.org.

Maximum Grants/Rebates Available Within the Delaware Estuary

PA offers no grants or rebates, but does offer low-interest loans
$500 limit per household
NJ also offers low-interest loans

Other incentives worth investigating include programs offered by local foundations and regional utilities serving your community, as well as state and federal tax credits that can provide benefits over the long term. For a comprehensive listing of programs available in your area, including those above, please use the “Energy Efficiency” search option available at www.DSireUSA.org, the online home of the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE).

Are you ready to take your home to the next level? If so, the DSIRE website also has a “Renewable Energy” search option that will provide you with the incentives available for home improvements like solar panels, wind generators and more. For more information about renewable energy services and how they can reduce your ecological footprint, and energy bills, please visit the National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s website located at www.nrel.gov/learning.

And remember, even if you are not ready to make a major financial investment, simple steps can make a measurable difference, like turning down your thermostat at night or using compact fluorescent light bulbs. Every bit helps to reduce your ecological footprint and fight climate change.