With a Heat Advisory covering eastern Iowa and much of the state sweltering in the summer sun, Iowans may be looking for ways to keep their electric bills down. If a new air conditioner is on your shopping list, home improvement advisor Tom Kraeutler says you may qualify for a hefty federal tax credit.
“It’s actually a pretty good time to go energy efficient and sustainable,” Kraeutler says. “Go to the Energy Star website at www.EnergyStar.gov and just search tax credits right there. They have a whole section of the tax credits that are available in your particular area.”
Also, check manufacturers’ websites for links that provide tax credits and subsidies. Another option to keeping cool, Kraeutler says spray foam insulation can reduce energy bills by up to 50-percent.
“It’s sprayed into the open wall cavities and it expands 100 times to fill the cavity and insulate it and seal out drafts,” he says. This could also be done in an attic to improve air quality by keeping out allergens and to make the space fire resistant.
Kraeutler says spray foam may qualify for local and national subsidies that dramatically reduce the cost.