Government Grants for Home Energy
There are a number of government grants available for homeowners to help cover the costs of weatherizing their homes and to invest in technologies such as solar power. These grants may come from the federal, state or local level, and many grants are the result of the three levels of government working in conjunction. In general, these grants are rewarded to households with low to moderate income levels, and the types of grants available depend on the location of the residence that will receive the upgrades. Check in your state and city for local grant opportunities. Does this Spark an idea?
Federal Government Grants
The U.S. Department of Energy is responsible for overseeing the Weatherization Assistance Program, which provides grant money for low income residences to implement a wide variety of energy efficient measures in their households. Federal rules limit the amount of money that can be spent at a single residence, with the average amount being about $6,500. The program helps provide energy audits and helps pay for insulation, heating and cooling systems, windows, water heaters, electrical appliances, and blower doors that improve energy efficiency. Also, consumers can receive tax credits for home energy saving measures through the Energy Star program.
State Grants
Most states have a sustainable energy program that oversees funding and grants for residential energy efficiency. Many of these grants will cover the same types of weatherization initiatives as the federal program and may work in conjunction with it. Some states have grant funds available for installing solar power into a home or to purchase Energy Star-rated home appliances. An example of this type of program is New York state's Get Energy Smart program.
Local Grants
There are some county and city run programs that offer grants for home energy improvements. Again, many of these help pay for weatherization efforts and are rewarded to lower income families. Some local governments may also work with local power service providers to offer rebates for installing energy saving appliances, windows and lighting. An example of a local grant program is the Boulder, Colo., Solar Grant Program.
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