Published: Monday, November 3, 2008
Utilities offer rebates, loans to increase home insulation
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Dan Bates / The Herald
Geel Sqbel and Santiago Cresencio install fiberglass insulation in the crawl space beneath a Lynnwood home. The men work for Arrow Insulation.
If they haven't already arrived in the mailbox, you can be sure of one thing: the first heating bills of the chilly season are on the way. As temperatures outside go down, most household power bills go up.
It might be time for insulation and weatherization.
Heather Anderson of Camano Island was the recipient of some expensive surprises when she and her family moved 18 months ago to the home her grandparents had lived in.
"The power bills were outrageous," Anderson said.
There was some insulation in the home built in 1980, but not enough to fend off utility bills that were peaking at $550.
Anderson took some cost-cutting measures to save energy and money. She put in new windows, a new water heater, installed a heat pump and re-shingled the roof.
She also had Arrow Insulation completely insulate the house.
Arrow staff used traditional roll insulation and also blew insulation into spaces in the home.
"It's a drastic difference," Anderson said.
She now gets bills for about $75 for her all-electric home.
As with every other year when the weather gets cold, Ben Burton, vice president at Arrow Insulation in Burlington, sees an increase in business in Snohomish County.
"We get a little bump this time of year," Burton said. "This year is bananas."
Snohomish and Island County customers are being cautious during the economic downturn and want to make sure they are doing everything they can to save money and energy, Burton said.
Almost 85 percent of Arrow Insulation customers in Snohomish County come to the company through Puget Sound Energy's insulation program.
Referrals are rotated to several insulation companies, including Burton's.
The increase in work for his company has meant that Burton, who had four employees just two years ago, now has 16. Every day five or six of his trucks can be found throughout Snohomish County from Lynnwood to Arlington.
"People understand that a little money will go a long way," Burton said.
Puget Sound Energy's program offers up to $1,600 in rebates, paying up to 50 percent of the costs for floor, attic, wall and duct insulation.
"It's an instant rebate," Burton said. "You've just gotta sign at home. No paperwork."
PSE serves 112,000 gas customers in Snohomish County and close to 30,000 electric customers in Island County, said utility spokeswoman Rebekah Anderson.
Staff has seen a 60 percent increase in completed jobs from August to October 2008 as compared to the same period in 2007.
"That accounts for an increase of 400 homes that have taken advantage of our gas weatherization insulation upgrade program," Anderson said.
While the average 1,900- to 2,000-square-foot home uses 680 therms for heating per year, PSE estimates that customers can save an average of 170 therms.
"But we estimate that homes can save 25 percent on heating use if they incorporate our recommendations," Anderson said.
PSE, as well as Snohomish County PUD which services approximately 316,000 customers, has many options in weatherization for clients who qualify.
The PUD offers loans and cash incentives for insulation to floors, ceilings and walls, as well as replacing windows and installing heat pumps. Loans have low interest rates of 2.9 percent with terms up to 10 years.
Neil Neroutsos, spokesperson for Snohomish County PUD, says that the public utility has had conservation programs for more than 25 years.
"There has been a big push driven by considerable growth in Snohomish County," Neroutsos said.
In the past year PUD has enhanced some existing programs and is working with Puget Sound Clean Air on a new project that offers some Marysville residents rebates for replacing old, uncertified wood stoves.
"We are working more with builders in connection with Energy Star," Neroutsos said.
Rebates are provided for installing higher efficiency products such as washers, compact fluorescent lights and heat pumps in new homes.
Burton and his workers are busy with work in King, Snohomish, Island, Skagit and Whatcom counties from clients who want weatherization insulation upgrades.
Burton says he has heard from clients who, because of the economy, have decided to stay in their homes rather than sell. They are making upgrades and taking energy-efficient steps to save money on power bills. Some have expressed that they had meant to get more insulation in their homes but never got around to it. The current economy is a factor in them making the decision this year, Burton said.
"People are smart," Burton said. "People are conscious."
The $550 bills lowered to less than $100 because of her insulation and weatherization improvements meant Heather Anderson and her family could stay in their Camano Island home.
"We wouldn't have been able to afford the place if the bills had been that high," Anderson said.
Christina Harper is a Snohomish County freelance writer. She can be reached at harper@heraldnet.com.
Insulation help
For more information on Puget Sound Energy weatherization programs for natural gas customers, go to www.pse.com or call 888-225-5773 or 425-452-1234.
For more information on the Snohomish County PUD weatherization programs for electricity customers, go to www.snopud.com or call 425-783-1700, www.pscleanair.org/woodstove.replacement or call 888-859-5799.
It might be time for insulation and weatherization.
Heather Anderson of Camano Island was the recipient of some expensive surprises when she and her family moved 18 months ago to the home her grandparents had lived in.
"The power bills were outrageous," Anderson said.
There was some insulation in the home built in 1980, but not enough to fend off utility bills that were peaking at $550.
Anderson took some cost-cutting measures to save energy and money. She put in new windows, a new water heater, installed a heat pump and re-shingled the roof.
She also had Arrow Insulation completely insulate the house.
Arrow staff used traditional roll insulation and also blew insulation into spaces in the home.
"It's a drastic difference," Anderson said.
She now gets bills for about $75 for her all-electric home.
As with every other year when the weather gets cold, Ben Burton, vice president at Arrow Insulation in Burlington, sees an increase in business in Snohomish County.
"We get a little bump this time of year," Burton said. "This year is bananas."
Snohomish and Island County customers are being cautious during the economic downturn and want to make sure they are doing everything they can to save money and energy, Burton said.
Almost 85 percent of Arrow Insulation customers in Snohomish County come to the company through Puget Sound Energy's insulation program.
Referrals are rotated to several insulation companies, including Burton's.
The increase in work for his company has meant that Burton, who had four employees just two years ago, now has 16. Every day five or six of his trucks can be found throughout Snohomish County from Lynnwood to Arlington.
"People understand that a little money will go a long way," Burton said.
Puget Sound Energy's program offers up to $1,600 in rebates, paying up to 50 percent of the costs for floor, attic, wall and duct insulation.
"It's an instant rebate," Burton said. "You've just gotta sign at home. No paperwork."
PSE serves 112,000 gas customers in Snohomish County and close to 30,000 electric customers in Island County, said utility spokeswoman Rebekah Anderson.
Staff has seen a 60 percent increase in completed jobs from August to October 2008 as compared to the same period in 2007.
"That accounts for an increase of 400 homes that have taken advantage of our gas weatherization insulation upgrade program," Anderson said.
While the average 1,900- to 2,000-square-foot home uses 680 therms for heating per year, PSE estimates that customers can save an average of 170 therms.
"But we estimate that homes can save 25 percent on heating use if they incorporate our recommendations," Anderson said.
PSE, as well as Snohomish County PUD which services approximately 316,000 customers, has many options in weatherization for clients who qualify.
The PUD offers loans and cash incentives for insulation to floors, ceilings and walls, as well as replacing windows and installing heat pumps. Loans have low interest rates of 2.9 percent with terms up to 10 years.
Neil Neroutsos, spokesperson for Snohomish County PUD, says that the public utility has had conservation programs for more than 25 years.
"There has been a big push driven by considerable growth in Snohomish County," Neroutsos said.
In the past year PUD has enhanced some existing programs and is working with Puget Sound Clean Air on a new project that offers some Marysville residents rebates for replacing old, uncertified wood stoves.
"We are working more with builders in connection with Energy Star," Neroutsos said.
Rebates are provided for installing higher efficiency products such as washers, compact fluorescent lights and heat pumps in new homes.
Burton and his workers are busy with work in King, Snohomish, Island, Skagit and Whatcom counties from clients who want weatherization insulation upgrades.
Burton says he has heard from clients who, because of the economy, have decided to stay in their homes rather than sell. They are making upgrades and taking energy-efficient steps to save money on power bills. Some have expressed that they had meant to get more insulation in their homes but never got around to it. The current economy is a factor in them making the decision this year, Burton said.
"People are smart," Burton said. "People are conscious."
The $550 bills lowered to less than $100 because of her insulation and weatherization improvements meant Heather Anderson and her family could stay in their Camano Island home.
"We wouldn't have been able to afford the place if the bills had been that high," Anderson said.
Christina Harper is a Snohomish County freelance writer. She can be reached at harper@heraldnet.com.
Insulation help
For more information on Puget Sound Energy weatherization programs for natural gas customers, go to www.pse.com or call 888-225-5773 or 425-452-1234.
For more information on the Snohomish County PUD weatherization programs for electricity customers, go to www.snopud.com or call 425-783-1700, www.pscleanair.org/woodstove.replacement or call 888-859-5799.
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