Appliances Doors & Windows Flooring Furnishings / Accessories Lighting & Fixtures Outdoor Living

Energy Upgrades That Pay Off, Page 3 of 3

Article by Joanne Romero

Issue Date: (Tue) April 6, 2010

9. Cree LED Lighting

Incorporating Cree’s new TrueWhite technology, these lights have a color-sensing technology that adjusts to the colors in the room, bringing out true colors and making them look great.
Get it at: Dial Electric & Lighting Gallery.
What’s in it for you: Compared with incandescent lights, these LEDs reduce energy consumption by 85 percent, according to Cree. They also reduce energy bills by $20 to $40 per month, according to Cree.

10. RAB LED Outdoor LED Lighting

These affordable fixtures deliver the energy-savings, and, because they are designed to point light only where it's intended, they are certified for use on LEED buildings to attain Light Pollution Reduction Credit.
Get it at: Dial Electric & Lighting Gallery.
What’s in it for you: High-energy-cost savings — a RAB 10-watt LED will save $300 per fixture, compared to conventional light sources, according to RAB.

11. Pentair’s IntelliFlo VS-3050 Pump

This pump can be programmed for four different speeds for various pool, spa or water-feature applications. Because you can program the pump for minimum speed, the pump works less and uses less energy.
Get it at: C & J Contracting.
What’s in it for you: “IntelliFlo pumps can typically cut energy use up to 90 percent, generally saving $620 to $1,360 in utility costs annually,” according to PentairPool.com.

12. Newly Improved Kumu Kit

Last year, we introduced you to Hawaii Energy Connection’s Kumu Kit, which allows homeowners to install PV panels gradually. This year, there’s a new version of the Kumu Kit that uses hybrid silicon technology. The new version allows for higher power production in smaller spaces. “Hawaii Energy Connection calls this new offering HD-PV or high-density photovoltaics,” says company representative Chris DeBone.
Get it at: Hawaii Energy Connection.
What’s in it for you: Eligibility for a 35 percent state tax credit and an additional 30 percent federal tax credit, according to DeBone.

Page 3 of 3 < previous | 1 | 2 | 3

Packaged to Sell

Check with your builder about prepackaged green options. Gentry Homes, for example, offers solar water heating as a standard feature along with optional packages such as PV, fluorescent-light packages, ENERGY STAR® appliances and water-conservation features, among others.

Thanks, Uncle Sam

Before installing energy-saving items, get pre-approval on improvements to ensure tax credits from the government. Some companies, such as Evans Construction, may even help you do the research to make sure your item will receive a tax credit.