# Americans need new incentives to save energy at home as are Expiring

- Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2020/06/americans-need-new-incentives-to-save-energy-at-home-expiring/
- Published: 2020-06-12T19:48:22-04:00
- Author: greenlivingguy

#### 󠀁[⌊A recent national poll was released, showing that incentives will be needed to persuade Americans to make energy-efficient improvements to their homes.⌉⌊A recent national poll was released, showing that incentives will be needed to persuade Americans to make energy-efficient improvements to their homes.⌉󠀁[

#### A recent national poll was released, showing that  incentives will be needed to persuade Americans to make energy-efficient improvements to their homes.

Back in 2011, tax incentives that once rewarded Americans for energy-efficient [improvements](https://greenlivingguy.com/2021/01/these-8-tips-will-save-you-energy-this-winter/)
were slashed. For many Americans, the survey found those incentives were a prime
reason for making such improvements as replacing windows, adding insulation and 
[buying](https://greenlivingguy.com/2010/10/green-saves-people-energy-and-reduces-costs/)
energy-efficient appliances.

Although now in 2019 our [USDOE](https://www.energystar.gov/about/federal_tax_credits)
states:

### **Federal Income Tax Credits and Other Incentives for Energy Efficiency**

Tax credits for residential energy efficiency have now expired.  The tax credit 
for [builders of energy-efficient homes](https://www.energystar.gov/about/federal_tax_credits/federal_tax_credit_archives/tax_credits_home_builders)
and tax deductions for [energy efficient commercial buildings](https://www.energystar.gov/about/federal_tax_credits/federal_tax_credit_archive/tax_credits_commercial_buildings)
are expired.

The tax credits for residential renewable energy products are still available through
December 31, 2021. Renewable energy tax credits for fuel cells, small wind turbines,
and geothermal heat pumps. All now feature a gradual step down in the credit value.
That’s the same as those for solar energy systems.

So the tax credits for residential energy efficiency have expired. USDOE taunts 
you can still save money and energy in your home by using ENERGY STAR certified 
products. Products that have earned the ENERGY STAR are independently certified 
to [save energy](https://greenlivingguy.com/2019/07/5-simple-ways-to-save-energy-in-your-air-conditioned-home/),
save money and protect the environment.

They use up to 30% less energy in your home by outfitting with ENERGY STAR certified
products available across more than 70 categories.

***Disclaimer: _The tax credit information contained within this website is provided
for informational purposes only and is not intended to substitute for expert advice
from a professional tax/financial planner or the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)._**

### **Survey findings**

 1. About almost one quarter (23%) of Americans who made energy-efficient improvements
    said they’d received a rebate or financial incentive.
 2. Of those most said they’d received either a utility rebate (41%) or a federal tax
    incentive (39%).

3. A full 25% of respondents said they wouldn’t have acted without the incentive,
and
 another 7% said the incentive encouraged them to pay slightly more for a higher-
efficiency model.

This is a joke!!

The new tax law chops incentives from 30 percent to 10 percent of costs for many
improvements. So it’s reducing the maximum cumulative credit from $1,500 to $500.
In addition, there are now lower caps such as $200 for energy efficient windows.
Compare that to previous credits of $1,500.

### **SMART Meter Support**

There is significant interest in time-of-use billing plans, smart meters and online
energy information management systems. Over half of respondents, if given access
to more information about their energy use, said they would utilize it regularly
to try to shift or reduce their consumption. This is including 61% of people who
show interest in receiving a smart meter that would notify the utility of a power
outage.

When it comes to meeting customer needs, many utilities fear the vocal minority,
Shelton said. “They’re concerned about resistance to smart meters and slow to roll
out time-of-use billing. As a result, utilities are missing out on a huge opportunity
to help people take control of their energy use by giving them the information they
need and the choices they want.

· Asked what specifically they’ve done to save energy, the largest percentages of
Americans had replaced most incandescent bulbs with CFL’s (63% of homeowners and
61% of renters), added sealing/caulking/weather-stripping (55% of homeowners and
29% of renters), purchased ENERGY STAR appliances (49% homeowners; 38% renters) 
or added insulation (36% owners; 27% renters).

Source: ENERGY STAR and [Natural Resources Defense Council](https://www.nrdc.org/)

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 greenlivingguy

 The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is an independent power producer, a green living
expert, and Editor of the McGraw-Hill, TAB Green Guru Guides. Seth is also an Author,
Radio Host, Reporter, Writer and an Environmental Consultant on green living. The
Green Living Guy writes about green living, green lighting, the green guru guides
and more. Seth's books range from: # Build Your Own Electric Vehicle by Bob Brant
and Seth Leitman (2nd and 3rd editions) # Build Your Own Plug-in Hybrid Electric
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Lighting by Seth Leitman, Brian Clark Howard and Bill Brinsky # Solar Power For 
Your Home by David Findley # Renewable Energies For Your Home by Russel Gehrke #
Do-it-Yourself Home Energy Audits by David Findley # Build Your Own Small Wind Power
System by Brian Clark Howard and Kevin Shea # and more green living books to follow.

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