June 2008 Commentary
Purchases that keep stimulating
by Bruce J. Graham
CEO of Indiana Statewide Association of RECs, Inc.
The economic stimulus checks are arriving from Uncle Sam, and merchants are waiting eagerly for your arrival.
Some merchants are even offering a 10 percent bonus if you buy gift cards to be used at their stores. While a 10 percent bonus is nice, there are easy ways to multiply the value of your economic stimulus check and help conserve energy.
You might say invest your green in green. Here are some suggestions.
Most older homes were insulated with R-10 in the attic. That’s a far cry from the R-30 suggested today. An Indiana insulation contractor we talked with will insulate an attic with 9 inches of cellulose, an equivalent rating of R-30, for 40 cents per square foot.
For a 1,400-square foot home, that would cost $560 and translate to a first year savings of about $400 for an all electric home. Not only would you double your rebate in less than three years, you also would reduce greenhouse gases by 7,930 pounds per year.
Spread that check around your house for even bigger savings. For example, if you receive a $1,200 check from Uncle Sam, you could spend $150 on a new programmable thermostat, $650 on a new ENERGY STAR-qualified clothes washer, and $400 on attic insulation.
Used properly, the programmable thermostat pays for itself in just a year. The clothes washer saves $550 in energy and water costs over its average lifespan.
Replacing an old refrigerator or freezer with a new ENERGY STAR model can save more than $850 in just five years. Even if you plan to splurge on a new television, purchasing an ENERGY STAR-qualified model can save 30 percent in energy costs.
Been putting off maintenance of your heating and cooling system? Use your check to have a professional inspect it. A properly adjusted furnace can help you save up to 10 percent in fuel consumption. Install an ENERGY STAR-qualified ceiling fan this summer, and you can raise your air conditioning setting four degrees and not feel warmer.
Spend $50 to replace an old shower head with a low-flow showerhead, and a family of four, each taking a five-minute shower a day, can save $250 a year in water heating costs.
So, to sum up just a few ideas:
• Invest $150 in a programmable thermostat, save a $100 a year;
• Invest $650 in an ENERGY STAR-qualified clothes washer, and save over $550 over 10 years;
• Invest $50 in a low-flow shower head, and save $100 to $250 a year;
• Invest $560 in attic insulation, save $400 a year.
When that stimulus check arrives, you can spend it until it’s gone on flashy things you might think your family needs now. Or you can spend it on less exciting efficiency items that will keep more money in your pocket for many years to come.
Written By: eceditor
Date Posted: 5/29/2008
Number of Views: 220
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