Recent News:
Mr. CostSaver Opens New Office in Hershey
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Mike Grenier, Founder & President of Mr. CostSaver, is excited to announce the opening of his new office. He is expanding his operations as Mr. CostSaver at 1 Briarcrest Square in Hershey, PA.
Mr. CostSaver is located in the suite of offices with Penn State's MBA program. "This provides a great opportunity for synergy with top community leaders, the development of strategic partnerships for new innovations, and interaction with small business owners in developing steady growth."
Mr. CostSaver is dedicated to help businesses improve their bottom line through tax credit services, energy savings, and credit card processing analysis. For more information of other cost saving strategies, Mike encourages business owners to contact him in his new office or email him at info@mrcostsaver.net
THE STATE BUDGET: $650 MILLION ENERGY PLAN-Paying to save
PENNSYLVANIA'S PRIORITY TO REDUCE our reliance on fossil fuels could mean money in your pocket. The state has set aside funding to pay homeowners who make changes to lower their demand for electricity.
Monday, July 21, 2008
BY GARRY LENTON Of The Patriot-News
Looking closely at the state's $28 billion budget, homeowners could find some financial opportunities to help them save on their electric and heating-oil bills.
A $650 million energy plan promises to reduce energy consumption statewide by making money available for improvements to reduce the demand for electricity, such as adding insulation, installing energy-efficient windows and doors and replacing old heating and air-conditioning systems.
The state will pay 25 percent to 35 percent of the cost, including installation, depending on the project.
"Homeowners should look at this very closely," said Jeanne Dworetzky, executive director of the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority. "There is a lot of opportunity here to address both the electric side and the fuel side."
Gov. Ed Rendell made reducing energy demand a priority in the budget, pushing for programs that will reduce Pennsylvania's reliance on fossil fuels. He didn't get the $850 million he wanted, but the compromise created a funding package that emphasizes conservation while offering incentives that encourage development of less-polluting, alternative sources of energy such as wind and solar.
Solar got the biggest slice of the pie, roughly $180 million (nearly 30 percent). Homeowners who want to convert to solar energy for their heat or hot water could be reimbursed for up to 35 percent of the cost.
"It's the single most important part of the package for consumers," said John Hanger, president of PennFuture, a Harrisburg-based public policy group. "I personally believe that the 21st century will be a solar century, just like the 20th century was the century of oil."
Solar could pay off in a couple of ways.
First, it can reduce the amount of electricity a home pulls from the electric grid at a time when the cost of electricity is poised to increase by 20 percent to 50 percent in the next few years.
Second, on sunny days, a solar system can produce more electricity than the home will use, which could give the owner a credit. Under state law, utilities must buy the excess power.
"It's like your meter is running backward," said Courtney Lane, a policy analyst for PennFuture.
But there are drawbacks to consider.
Pennsylvania is not the sunniest state -- Harrisburg sees about 87 sunny days a year, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. If you throw in partly sunny days, the number rises to 196, a little more than half a year.
Solar also remains expensive, though that is expected to change.
According to one company's online calculator, converting to solar a 2,000-square-foot home that uses about 27,000 kilowatts a year would cost about $50,000 after the 35 percent rebate.
"A lot of people aren't aware of the cost of solar," said Gregory Hess, owner of Solar Tech of Pennsylvania, a Camp Hill company that sells and installs solar equipment. "Most people go with smaller projects, like using it for hot water or heating."
Higher energy prices have kept Hess' phone ringing.
"It's just going crazy right now," he said.
As interest rises and more manufacturers produce components, Hess expects prices to drop.
Meanwhile, the 3-year-old company is looking at expanding its work force from four to 50, and it plans to build a warehouse to store equipment.
Not ready for solar? There are other ways to take advantage of state energy money.
Insulating, sealing air leaks, replacing windows and switching to those fluorescent lights that look like a Mr. Softee ice cream cone can reduce energy use. And the budget includes $92 million to help property owners pay for such changes.
The Consumer Energy Conservation Project will offer reimbursements of up to 25 percent.
"At a time when energy prices are high, we see it as a way for homeowners and businesses to cope," Dworetzky said.
On Friday, Matt Steiman was in the sunshine installing solar panels that will supply about 800 watts of electricity to three huts, called yurts, on Dickinson College's farm near Boiling Springs. The small buildings will be used to house student interns working on the farm.
Steiman, assistant farm manager, said the college made a commitment to lower its emissions of carbon pollution by installing solar panels. And he's all for it.
"I've been an advocate for it since I got here," he said.
GARRY LENTON: 255-8264 or glenton@patriot-news.com
ENERGY BUCKS
Here's a glimpse of new programs in the state budget that homeowners can use to help pay for energy improvements:
Reimbursements covering 35 percent of the purchase and installation costs of solar electric or water- heating systems. Money likely will be made available to individuals and small businesses as loans, grants or rebates. These systems can range from a few thousand dollars for a water heater to tens of thousands of dollars for a whole-house system. Amount available: $100 million.
Loans or grants for the construction or renovation of "high-performance" green buildings. Amount available: $25 million.
Reimbursement for up to 25 percent of the cost of energy efficiency improvements in homes and small businesses, such as windows and doors, lighting, insulation and heating and air-conditioning systems. Amount available (over eight years): $92 million.
Energy-efficiency loans for income-eligible families to help pay for weatherization projects. Amount available: $5 million.
Additonal Reading: http://www.state.pa.us/papower/cwp/view.asp?A=11&Q=443838
Clean Energy Funding Passed & Signed
This week PA Governor Ed Rendell signed bills containing Clean Energy funding.The incentives they create will make a difference in the lives of many Pennsylvania businesses, workers and families.
On the fourth of July, the General Assembly passed the Clean Energy Funding bill creating $650 million in funding for renewable energy and energy conservation, including $180 million for solar.
Most homeowners just want to know when they can get help to install single-residence solar power systems. The market for residential-scale solar systems is incredibly robust. The energy funding bill will provide $100 million for installation of solar power systems on homes and small businesses paying up to 35 percent of the cost. The other $80 million will go to larger, commercial solar projects and help build an industry in Pennsylvania that makes the components for solar power systems of all sizes.
Pennsylvania's wind industry will also benefit from incentives contained in the energy funding legislation. Every kilowatt of electricity that is made from renewable resources offsets electricity made from fossil fuels.
CBS News Report Shows Power-Save Reduces Electric Bills
An unsolicited test of the Power-Save 1200 by Atlanta's local CBS News affiliate revealed a significant reduction in kilowatt hours.
Greg and Michelle Mark of metro-Atlanta agreed to install a Power-Save 1200 on their home as part of a "CBS News 46 Investigates" report. After several months of tracking, the Mark's electric bill shows a decrease of 240 kilowatt hours used per month!
Although these results are impressive, we fully expect to see the savings increase dramatically during the hot Georgia spring and summer months when air conditioners and other appliances are working overtime.
We had absolutely no knowledge of this investigative report prior to its broadcast so thanks to CBS News 46 and the Mark family for putting Power-Save to the test. We look forward to helping more families across the southeast and beyond save significantly on their monthly electric bills!
