Green building, energy efficiency, solar energy, tax credits
and helpful links
Simply put, green buildings are designed and constructed to
be the healthiest possible for people and the planet.
Green Principles to Follow
- Resource Conservation
- Build with durability in mind and long-term use.
- Look for recycled, local or regionally produced
building materials.
- Reuse or recycle construction waste and if
remodeling, donate usable items to non-profits.
- Minimize urban sprawl and retain key environmental
assets.
- Indoor Environmental Quality
- Provide a healthy and comfortable indoor
environment.
- Incorporate day lighting and good ventilation.
- Select building products, finishes and furnishings
carefully to reduce or eliminate VOC's.
- Configure your ventilation to introduce fresh air
when running. Ask your HVAC contractor.
- Water Conservation
- Incorporate EPA's WaterSense labeled toilets,
showerheads and faucets.
- When buying a clothes washer or dishwasher, check
the Consortium for Energy Efficiency Web site to compare
water use (www.cee1.org) between models.
- Use Xeriscape principles for your landscape
including low-water using plants and efficient drip
irrigation to reduce outdoor use.
- Don't forget to consider gray water or rainwater
harvesting systems for landscape irrigation as well and
permeable pavement for surfaces.
- Livable Communities
- Connect with community through front porches and
community open space or natural areas.
- Create a home for long-term living regardless of
age.
- Consider affordability and access to community
services.
- Energy Efficiency
- Incorporate effective insulation, high performance
windows, tight construction and ducts, efficientheating
and cooling equipment and EPA's ENERGY STAR lighting,
appliances and electronics.
- Install or change out to fluorescent or LED
lighting.
- Consider site orientation and landscape shading
(passive-solar principles).
- Once you have an efficient home, consider renewable
energy such as solar hot water or solar electric
systems.
Find more at these sites:
Energy Efficiency
Being more efficient with your energy use is one of the most
important ways to save money and reduce your carbon footprint.
Find these helpful sites:
Solar Energy
Solar hot water makes perfect sense in the desert. Once you
have an energy efficient home, consider adding a solar electric
system, too.
Solar and energy efficient tax credits
Everyone is looking for ways to save money these days. But,
the following rebates and incentives have the added advantage of
doing the planet a favor. Be sure to take advantage of these
offers soon as they may not be available for long.
Tax Credits and Rebates Overview
|
Energy Saving Project
|
Improvement
|
Federal
|
State
|
SRP Utility*
|
|
Lighting
|
Compact Fluorescent Bulbs
(CFL's)
|
|
|
Discounts available at
participating stores for CFL's
|
|
Appliances
|
ENERGY STAR labeled
|
|
|
Clothes washer up to $75
Dishwasher $20
Refrigerators $30, free pick
up & recycle old unit
|
|
Water Heater
Electric, HP,
gas
|
ENERGY STAR labeled
|
10% up to $300
|
|
|
|
Water Heater
Solar
|
|
Up to 30% of cost less
the SRP incentive
|
25% of cost capped at $1,000 per residence
|
$ 0.45/kWh of estimated first year energy savings
|
|
Insulation
|
Attic, wall, or floor
|
10% up to $500
|
|
|
|
Windows/Shade Screens
|
Dual pane, low-e glass
|
10% up to $200
must be EnergyStar
|
|
Shade Screens $.80/sq. ft.
|
|
Heating/Ventilation/AC (HVAC)
|
SEER of 14 or greater
Duct sealing, etc.
|
10% up to $300
|
|
SEER of 15 or greater up to
$400
|
|
Solar Electric
|
Provide part or all
renewable energy
|
30% no cap
|
25% up to $1,000
|
$1.35/watt for residential up
to $6,750. Check SRP site for commercial .
|
Natural Gas Rebates: Not included in the table above are rebates
from your Natural Gas provider. The City of Mesa Gas Utility
currently provides
rebates for the purchase of new gas water
heaters ($25) and pool or spa heaters ($50) (Note: The State
provides a rebate for a solar pool or spa heater). If you are a
customer of Southwest Gas, they provide
rebates for
natural gas or energy saving appliances. Natural gas is the cleanest of all fossil fuels,
and while not a renewable resource, it does provide more value
for your energy dollar.
* While SRP is the dominant electric provider for Mesa
residents, the City of Mesa supplies electric service to about
16,000 customers in the 5.5 square mile area centered in
downtown Mesa .
Mesa is currently developing a voluntary rate allowing customers
to sponsor a portion of the electric energy supplies with the
most efficient, reliable and economical solar energy
technologies.
FEDERAL REBATES
Federal tax credits to improve the energy efficiency of your
primary residence (existing homes only) have been extended an
additional year through 2011. A credit of 10% of the cost, up to
$500, can be claimed on your tax return on approved upgrades,
including:
- Windows
- Doors
- Insulation
- Water heaters
- Roofs
- HVAC
- Biomass stoves
A 30% tax credit is also available for clean energy generation
with no upper limit through 2016. New and existing homes are
eligible for the credit on the following items:
- Geothermal heat pumps
- Solar panels
- Solar water heaters
- Small wind energy systems
- Fuel cells
Tax credits are also available on some fuel efficient vehicles. To get
the complete list and amount of credit available for each
vehicle visit the Department of Energy
Fuel Economy Site.
Find more information on energy efficient federal rebates at
www.energystar.gov/taxcredit.
STATE REBATES
State tax credits are currently available for residential solar
energy systems. They will provide 25% of the cost of the system
up to $1,000 for the following items:
- Solar photovoltaic systems (solar panels)
- Solar water heating
- Solar swimming pool & spa heating systems
- Solar daylighting systems
- Solar PV phones, street lighting, etc.
- Passive solar building systems (thermal mass components, etc.)
- Wind generators and wind powered pumps
- Find more information at
www.azdor.gov/Portals/0/Brochure/543.pdf
The
Arizona Commerce Authority offers renewable energy
income tax credits and property tax reductions for businesses.
For a complete database of all state incentives for renewable
and efficiency implementation or upgrades, visit
the
DSIRE Website (Database of State Incentives for Renewables &
Efficiency)
UTILITY REBATES
Salt River Project (SRP) supplies electric service to over about 90% of Mesa
residents. SRP has lots of tips and assistance to reduce your
energy use. They also offer a variety of rebates and incentives
for customers including the following:
- Compact fluorescent light bulbs, price reduction at
participating stores
- Duct testing and duct repair rebates $75 to $175
- Pool pump rebates of $200 and seasonal timer rebates of
$75
- Home performance energy efficiency checkups for just $99
(a $500 value)
- Get rid of an old refrigerator $30 + free pick up + recycle
product
- Shade screens $.080 per square foot
- Heating/Ventilation/AC SEER of 15 or greater up to $400
- Solar water heaters $.0.50 per kilowatt hour of energy savings
OG-300 ratings, no cap
- Solar photovoltaic $1.35 per installed watt up to $6,750
Residential Customers:
Find more information on saving energy, visit
www.savewithsrp.com
For more information on solar incentives, visit
www.srpnet.com/environment/earthwise/solar
Commercial Customers:
For solar electric and hot water incentives, see SRPs Commercial
Solar Energy Programs.
For saving energy on lighting, HVAC, motors and with audits,
visit
the SRP
BIZ site.
City of Mesa Natural Gas Utility provides natural gas service to
more than 52,000 homes and businesses throughout Mesa and
portions of Pinal County. Natural gas is the cleanest of all
fossil fuels, and while it is not a renewable resource, it does
provide more value for your energy dollar. They offer the
following rebates:
- Gas water heater $25
- Gas swimming pool and spa heater $50
Find more
information
online or by calling Lucy Lopez at (480) 644-3683
Southwest Gas does service some Mesa residents. They offer the
following rebates and more:
- Natural Gas Tankless Water Heater: $200
- Natural Gas Clothes Dryer: $30
- Programmable Thermostat: $20
- Smart Low-flow Showerhead: $20
For more information visit
SW Gas or call 1-866-802-7790
Updated: 01-30-2012, Please
contact us
with any updates