New Jersey has a Clean Energy program which we recently participated in. When Christie took office he raided the fund so the benefits are less than what we got but it's still a good deal. Money is funded via a surchage on Utility bills.
We had both attics and our basement heavily insulated, upstairs bathroom fans were vented outside the house, dryer vent was replaced with a metal one that does not trap any lint and our 45 year old furnace/15 year old water heater was replaced with a high efficiency furnace/water heater that's manufactured in NJ. Total cost was $21,500 with a $1,000 rebate, 50% rebate up to $10,000 and a 10 year 0.00% loan. Plus $1,500 Fed tax credit. Net cost was $500 out of pocket and $83.33 monthly loan payment. That amount does not include the Fed credit. We also get free CFL lightbulbs.
Our January and February heating bills are down 25% from last year, even though temps were a little colder this year vs. last. Savings are based on usage, not dollars as Gas rates are a little lower than last year. AC bills should also be less during the summer. These improvements should also help with the resale value of our home. Most importantly, we're using less energy and lowering our carbon footprint. Just think of the impact if this was done on a large scale. All the jobs created and reducing our dependence on foreign oil.
