The City of Tallahassee owns it’s utility company, currently an adversarial and contentious point of discussion. It’s an item that is coming up again and again, among many other items in the political candidate interviews and forums leading to the August 2010 primary
The high cost of in Tallahassee has certainly affected the ability for buyers to purchase homes. High utility rates in Tallahassee must be considered when purchasing homes. Working within a buyers budget and making sure home-buyers know the utility history of a property should be part of the research done prior to making an offer. It is part of the due diligence that Realtors incorporate into their responsibilities to their customers. For now, the City of Tallahassee has offered rebates for energy efficient home improvements. If you have an old appliance, check with the City and see if you qualify for a rebate before you make a purchase! If you are doing home improvements, call me for a list of licensed contractors who can help you make improvements that are legal, permitted and in proper compliance with local building codes and neighborhood restrictions.
Tallahassee offers huge rebates for heat pump water heaters
Aug 5, 2010 3:11 PM, BY ROBERT P. MADER Of CONTRACTOR’s staff
TALLAHASSEE, FLA. — Imagine being able to offer customers a heat pump water heater for little more than the price of your labor. That’s what contractors here are doing since the city-owned utility doubled its energy efficiency rebates through Sept. 30, 2010. The City of Tallahassee Utilities is offering a $1,200 rebate until the end of September to consumers who replace a standard electric water heater with a heat pump water heater. The units must be Energy Star rated, so water heaters such as Rheem’s HP-50 and HP-40 and GE’s GeoSpring water heater will comply. Moreover, the water heaters qualify for a federal energy tax credit of up to $480, so the equipment itself is essentially free to the homeowner.
Rheem is heavily promoting the incentives to its dealers. With an estimated retail price of $1,599 for its heat pump water heater, the combination of Tallahassee utility incentives and the federal tax credits, which run through Dec. 31, means the homeowner will make $81 on the equipment.
Laura Butler, Rheem Water Heating marketing communications manager, pointed out that the estimated labor costs of approximately $300-$700 also qualify for a federal energy rebate, bringing the installed cost down to about $490. Moreover, because the equipment is more efficient, the heat pump water heater will have an operating cost of approximately $270 a year, $317 a year less than a standard electric water heater. The heat pump water heater also carries a 10-year warranty.
“This is a great opportunity for Tallahassee homeowners to lower their water heating bills while installing an Energy Star-certified hybrid water heater at an exceptionally affordable price through the various federal and local incentives — but without making any sacrifices in comfort and convenience for their families,” said Peter Reynolds, Rheem Water Heating general manager.