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Shop around for “free” money before you go shopping. Buying energy-efficient products can cost more initially, but save you money in the long run. In order to encourage people to make that bigger initial investment, government agencies, utility companies and , sometimes, even manufacturers and retailers offer rebates, assistance programs and tax incentives to help defray those upfront costs. What, when, where, from whom and how much these incentives are worth varies greatly, but they’re worth looking into. Here are a few tools to help you in your initial search. Government incentives One good starting place to look for both state and federal tax credits is the U.S. Department of Energy’s Web site at www.energy.gov. Any current federal tax incentives will be prominently shown on the Consumer” portion of the Web site. For state incentives, click on the name of the state where you live, then look for relevant information and links. You may find listings under headings like ‘Incentives for Renewable Energy” or “Energy Assistance Programs.” Or conduct a Web search by typing in “energy rebates” or ‘energy tax credits” along with the name of your state. Utility company incentives Utility companies often offer rebates or incentives to their customers for purchasing energy-efficient products; many use ENERGY STAR ratings as qualifiers. To find out about incentives, check the inserts that come with your monthly bill, call your utility companies or visit their Web sites. A quick check of one Midwest utility company’s Web site showed rebates of up to $100 to those installing tankless water heaters, and of more than $300 for those installing high-efficiency heat pumps. While you’re at it, check into “peak demand” energy conservation pro grams. One type involves the installation of a remote-controlled switch on your central air conditioner that the utility company can activate for brief periods during hot summer days when demand for electricity peaks. As an incentive, you’ll receive some type of discount on your total electric bill; often in the 10 to 20 percent range. Manufacturer and retailer incentives When shopping for appliances, heating and cooling equipment or other products, check to see if manufacturers offer rebates. Some rebates are linked to energy efficiency, while others are linked to “package deals” or other scenarios. Check manufacturers’ individual Web sites, or check general information on Web sites such as www.myrebates.com for more information. The ENERGY STAR Web site at www.energystar.gov also lists special rebates and offers from thousands of their ENERGY STAR partners. Next: Insulation |