Energy efficiency with green savings incentives? Yes please!

The demand for more energy efficient buildings is growing. These buildings will create better living and working environments, reduce energy reliance, and increase a company's competitiveness. Buildings using energy more efficiently are using economic resources more intelligently. A number of practices can be instituted to improve energy efficiency and result in a financial cost savings to consumers. With incentives in the form of state rebates, federal tax rebates, local county property tax exemptions and utility company incentives, Americans can potentially pay only a fraction of the cost for energy efficiency upgrades shrinking the return on investment rates to an all-time low. There are many ways to take advantage of these incentives, each of which makes the living and working environment more efficient and comfortable. Start by installing high efficiency windows and insulation in the walls, ceilings and floors to increase the efficiency of the building envelope. This will have a significant impact on energy usage by lessening the amount of heating and cooling needed to maintain a comfortable temperature within the interior. Air conditioning units must have an efficiency or SEER rating of 13 or greater, but even this Federally mandated minimum can be almost doubled through the use of efficient outdoor condensing units, ultra high efficiency furnaces and variable speed air-handling fans. The more efficient the air conditioning equipment, the less energy you use and the more money you save. Inefficient lighting produces a small amount of light and a large quantity of heat. This heat is then removed by the air conditioning system which further adds to the energy wastage. Converting to efficient lighting systems will enhance the quality and quantity of lighting. The efficiency of hot water heaters and boilers has skyrocketed over the past few years to up to 98% efficient. Upgrading your older system and installing it in the proper location can result in substantial energy savings and a sizable cost savings. DSIREUSA.org is a good resource for finding rebates and other incentives on all upgrades you are going to make. DSIRE is a comprehensive source of information on state, local, utility and federal incentives and policies that promote renewable energy and energy efficiency. Established in 1995 and funded by the U.S. department of Energy, DSIRE is an ongoing project of the N.C. Solar Center and the Interstate Renewable Energy Council. Whether or not you believe in global warming, we are living in changing times with a green future. It would be foolish to ignore the financial opportunities that are currently available for making these energy efficiency upgrades. Some of the biggest opportunities for energy savings exist in the vast inventory of existing buildings throughout the nation. They have been built to varying energy standards and the vast majority does not meet minimum standards required by federal law today. Bring your building up to standard or better and claim your share of today's record breaking incentive opportunities. Mitchell Frumkin, PE, RS, CGP is the president, Kipcon, Inc., North Brunswick, N.J.