News You Can Use from the Energy Co-op
REBATE AND INCENTIVE OUTLOOK FOR 2023
We are watching closely for updates to home energy efficiency rebates and tax credits related to the Inflation Reduction Act that was passed last year.


A great resource for homeowners is the Rewiring America Calculator, which gives you a quick summary of rebates and credits available and helps you calculate how much you may be eligible for based on which upgrades you are considering and income guidelines.

Many people are confused about the difference between a tax credit and a rebate.
  • A tax credit is one that you request through your annual income tax filing. It comes in the form of a refund or credit to your overall federal and/or state income tax liability.
  • A rebate is one that is either taken off the top by your installer (called an "upstream" rebate) or paid directly to you after the qualifying work is completed.

Our installation team can review all available incentives with you when they provide your price quotation. This can help estimate what your "bottom line" costs will be before work begins.
HOW MUCH DOES IT REALLY COST TO HEAT YOUR HOME?
We've all been paying close attention to the cost of heating fuel, especially since the recent price spikes.

However, it's important to keep in mind that the cost of fuel is just one factor in how much it costs to heat your home. It's also worth considering the efficiency of different types of fuel vs. what your home uses.

Brian's blog breaks down the "cost per MMBTU" of different fuels and explains what that means for your bottom line.
GAS STOVES - FRIEND OR FOE?
There has been a lot in the news lately about the use of gas stoves. Since many homeowners love their gas ranges, giving them up may be a hard choice.

The most important safety consideration when using a gas stove is to be sure that your kitchen range hood is venting properly. This will ensure carbon monoxide and other low-level chemicals are removed from the air. The presence of carbon monoxide is an immediate health risk.

Proper kitchen venting is part of a larger issue related to overall indoor air quality, which can be compromised by many things. Read Brian's blog below to learn more.
NEED A TUNE UP?

Book now, complete your heating system tune up by March 30th and get $40 off.
GENERAL MANAGER SEARCH UPDATE
The Energy Co-op Board of Directors has been hard at work since last fall searching for our new General Manager.

Brian Gray announced his pending retirement last fall but has promised to stay on until his replacement is on board.

Since his shoes are big ones to fill, it may take a while to find the right candidate. We welcome referrals from our members, so if you have someone in mind, feel free to share the job description in the link below or send an e-mail to Brian.
THE CO-OP TEAM IS GROWING!
The Energy Co-op is pleased to welcome the following members to our team:
  • Rick Barton, fuel driver (bottom left)
  • Shawn Cook, service technician (top left)
  • Horst Hartleib, weatherization technician (top right)
  • Jakob Holmberg, service tech apprentice (bottom right)

Look for them out and about helping our members stay warm and comfortable!
DOES YOUR HEAT PUMP NEED A SPRING CLEANING?
We recommend an annual cleaning and inspection of your heat pump and have added this service to our maintenance menu.
If your heat pump is not heating or cooling the way it did when it was first installed, it's probably in need of an inspection and thorough cleaning.

One of the most common problems is mold growth inside the heat pump. Heat pumps are exposed to moisture and high humidity levels. Mold loves moisture and if it starts to grow in your heat pump it can easily spread throughout the home.

We are scheduling now for cleanings in the spring, so contact us to get on the schedule today!
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE:
WHAT WE'RE WATCHING
One of the biggest pieces of pending Vermont state legislation related to home heating is the reintroduction of the "Clean Heat Standard" which has been rebranded under S.5. as the "Affordable Heat Act".

The purpose of the proposed legislation is to reduce dependence on fossil fuels by requiring fossil fuel importers to deliver or pay for cleaner heating options like weatherization, heat pumps or advanced wood heat.

Last year this legislation did not pass after an unsuccessful bid to override the governor's veto. We'll be watching for updates and further action this year.
Don't wait for our next newsletter to stay informed. Follow us on Facebook and get real-time updates on Co-op programs and energy saving news.