Person B would like to use his tax return money ($5,000) and put that towards an alternative energy system. What can he consider as alternative plans for conserving energy?

Note:  Your $5,000 will go much further when you include the readily-available tax rebates.

For comprehensive information on state, local, utility, and federal incentives that promote renewable energy and energy efficiency, please visit http://www.dsireusa.org.

Renewable energy systems can provide heat for the home, heat for hot water, and electricity.

The sun can provide home space heating through south-facing windows and sunspaces/solariums. These building components or spaces work at keeping the furnace off during sunny daylight hours. As an added bonus, the additional square footage added to a house increases the value of the home.

Solar domestic hot water heating is the next best renewable energy system. 50%-75% of an annual hot water bill can be eliminated.

The cost to install a 2.0 kW equivalent system with an 80 gallon hot water storage tank can range from under $5,000 to over $7,000 before rebates and tax credits.

Over 5 years the savings could be 9,415 lbs CO2 and 5,740 kWh.

A solar air-space heating system is a simple, low cost option for reducing furnace run-times or to provide for a room or two to be 3-5 degrees warmer than the rest of the house.

A man in Bozeman, MT built a solar heater for less than $500 that provides the annual equivalent of 200 gallons of propane (about $400 worth) for the next 20 winters. Please see the online article “Build a Simple Solar Heater” at www.MotherEarthNews.com, the December/January 2007 issue.

Saving 200 gallons of propane will save you 5,400 kWh. At $.09 per kWh, you can realize a savings of $486.00. Also at $2.00/gal, you save an additional $400 by not having to purchase 200 gallons of propane.

Wood heat provides a low cost option for heating the home. Wood pellets and corn are increasing in sales to homeowners for central heaters and space heating appliances. Proper installation by qualified technicians is the best option.

For more information about wood burners, please visit www.haleycomfort.com.

First National Bank does not endorse any product from these referenced web sites.

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