Free Home Improvements Help You Save $$
Through the NeighborCare program, Burlington Electric Department (BED) provides products and advice to residential customers to help reduce electricity and water consumption. These free or low-cost improvements include energy-efficiency lighting upgrades, insulation for electric water heaters and pipes, and fixtures that reduce water usage. Contact: Burlington Electric Department, 585 Pine Street, Burlington, VT 05401; 802-865-7362; http://www.burlingtonelectric.com/EnergyEfficiency/neighbor.htm

$1.0 Million Loans Available in Clean Energy Development Fund Program
The Clean Energy Development Fund (CEDF) Loan Program seeks to promote the development of clean electric-energy technologies by providing funding for purchasing land and buildings (when specific to qualifying projects), purchasing and installing machinery and equipment, and working capital. Low-interest loans with a fixed rate of 2% are available to individuals. Eligible clean electric-energy technologies generally include solar, wind, biomass, fuel cells and combined heat and power. The minimum loan amount is $50,000; the maximum amount is $1 million. Loans may not be used for more than 90% of the cost of a project. All financing must be used for activities or assets directly related to the project.  The term for real estate loans is 10 years, amortized on a 15-year basis. The maximum term for machinery and equipment loans is seven years. The term for working capital loans is three years. Borrowers must pay an application fee of 1% on the loan amount, which is capped at $1,500, after the loan is approved. Contact: Vermont Department of Public Service, 112 State Street, Drawer 20, Montpelier, VT 05620-2601; 802-828-4017; Fax: 802-828-2342; http://publicservice.vermont.gov/energy/ee_cleanenergyfund.html

Rebates available for Energy Efficient Equipment
Efficiency Vermont provides financial incentives for its residential customers to install energy efficient equipment in their homes. A $50 rebate is offered to customers who install Energy Star rated Clothes Washers. Efficiency Vermont also provides coupons for Energy Star lighting equipment redeemable at participating retailers. Rebates are also available for qualifying HVAC equipment. Energy Star furnaces with ECM fan motors and central air conditioning units are each eligible for a $100 rebate. Contact: Program Coordination, Efficiency Vermont, 255 S. Champlain Street, Suite 7, Burlington, VT 05401; 888-921-5990; http://www.efficiencyvermont.org/pages/Residential/RebateCenter/

Property Tax Exemption for Selected Renewable Energy Systems
Vermont allows municipalities the option of offering exemption from real and personal property taxes for certain renewable energy systems. Eligible systems include, but are not limited to, "windmills, facilities for the collection of solar energy or the conversion of organic matter to methane, net-metered systems ... and all component parts thereof including land upon which the facility is located, not to exceed one-half acre." Adoption of this exemption varies by municipality, but the exemption generally applies to the total value of the qualifying renewable energy system and can be applied to residential, commercial, and industrial real and personal property. Contact: Renewable Energy Vermont, PO Box 1036, Montpelier, VT 05601; 802-229-0099; http://www.revermont.org/

100% Sales Tax Exemption for Renewable Energy Systems
Vermont's sales tax exemption for renewable-energy systems now generally applies to systems up to 250 kilowatts (kW) in capacity that generate electricity using eligible "renewable energy" resources, to micro-combined heat and power (CHP) systems up to 20 kW, and to solar water-heating systems. Eligible renewable systems are solar water heat, solar thermal electric, photovoltaics, landfill gas, wind, biomass, CHP/Cogeneration, anaerobic digestion, and fuel cells using renewable fuels. The exemption is available for grid-tied and off-grid systems. Vermont's sales tax rate was 6% as of January 2008. Contact: Renewable Energy Vermont, PO Box 1036, Montpelier, VT 05601; 802-229-0099; http://www.revermont.org/

Generous Funding for Solar and Wind System Installations
Vermont's Solar and Small Wind Incentive Program provides funding for new solar water heating, solar electric (photovoltaic), and wind energy system installations. Currently in its third round of funding, the program is available to single- and multi-family residences. Incentives for solar-electric systems (PV) - individuals $1.75/W DC, up to $8,750; multi-family low-income housing projects $3.50/W DC, up to lesser of $35,000 or 50% of total installed cost. Incentives for solar hot water systems - individuals $1.75/100 Btu/day up to $8,750 and for multi-family low-income housing projects $3.50/100 Btu/day, up to lesser of $35,000 or 50% of total installed cost. Incentives for small wind systems for individuals are $2.50/W DC (up to $4/W with Vermont-made components) up to $12,500. All systems must be installed by Vermont Solar and Wind Partners. Contact: Public Information (RERC), Renewable Energy Resources Center, 255 S. Champlain Street, Suite 7, Burlington, VT 05401; 877-888-7372; Fax: 802-658-1643; http://www.rerc-vt.org/incentives/index.htm

Zero and Low Interest Loans to Improve Energy Efficiency of Your Home
The Vermont Gas HomeBase Retrofit Program is designed to help customers with larger than average gas usage find ways to improve the efficiency of their homes. Vermont Gas customers whose homes use over 1,400 ccf per year of natural gas are eligible for this program, as are multi-family buildings where the total building usage is 1,400 ccf per year or greater. Typical measures include blown-in cellulose insulation for walls and ceilings and specific air sealing measures designed to make houses less drafty. In some cases, heating system and distribution improvements are also recommended. Usually Vermont Gas will rebate one third of the installed cost of the recommended measures and provide a reduced interest loan through the Opportunities Credit Union for the remaining balance. Currently, customers are offered loans at 0% interest for up to 3 years, 2% interest for up to 5 years, or 4% interest for up to 7 years. Contact: Vermont Gas, HomeBase Programs, P.O. Box 467, South Burlington, VT 05403; 802-863-4511; http://www.vermontgas.com/efficiency_programs/res_programs.html

Rebates to Replace Inefficient Heating Equipment and Water Heaters
In addition to the offer of zero and low interest loans above, The HomeBase Equipment Replacement program offers rebates for residential customers who replace their existing heating equipment or water heater with a more energy efficient one. Rebates vary depending on technology, from $100 for a water heater to $400 for a hot water boiler. Customers can use any contractor that is natural gas certified. Contact: Vermont Gas, HomeBase Programs, P.O. Box 467, South Burlington, VT 05403; 802-863-4511; http://www.vermontgas.com/efficiency_programs/res_programs.html