Apr 14, 2009 4:00 pm US/Eastern
EnergyWatch: Incentives To Upgrade Appliances
PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ―
The government is trying to make energy efficiency more financially possible with everything from rebates to lower-cost loans. Consumers are cashing in.
When Robert Wolf moved into this house a few years ago, he knew he would do some work, including replacing the heating and cooling system.
"The old system was, well, old," Wolf laughed. "19 years old. Not too bad, but it was starting to act definitely inconsistent."
So he found Guaranteed Heating and Air and some assistance with the cost.
The Keystone HELP program gives low-interest loans and rebates up to $500 for improving energy efficiency. That's something many of A.J. Marinari's customers don't even know.
"Really? The state's offering that kind of money?!" Marinari says customers say.
The company installed a new air conditioner and furnace, and Robert got a low-cost loan for the $8,000.
"It offered somebody like myself the flexibility to not outlay thousands of dollars all at once," said Wolf.
Some contractors say now is the time to explore your options, with rates as low as 6 percent.
"They just really ramped it up and lowered the interest rates and become much more aggressive as of March first this year," said Marinari.
The loan saved Robert Wolf money and saved energy for the planet.
"And so I feel every little piece that I can do on my own, within reason, makes a lot of sense," said Wolf.
The one thing Keystone HELP can't help with is solar installation, but the state of Pennsylvania is developing a separate program for that.
RELATED LINK:
www.keystonehelp.com
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