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Oregon Stimulus Funds at Work
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Thanks to the State Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program (SEEARP), Aaron and Virginia Meyers anticipate their home will be much warmer—and their gas bills considerably lower—this winter.
A few years ago, the Portland homeowners took advantage of a free energy audit offered by the Energy Trust of Oregon. They learned then that replacing their oversized, 20-year-old gas furnace could greatly reduce their $300 monthly gas bill. The Meyers received estimates on a new energy-efficient furnace from six different heating contractors and started saving.
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The Meyers will be enjoying an ENERGY STAR qualified 95-percent efficient gas furnace this winter thanks to the State Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program.
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The furnace purchase didn't seem possible for this young family until Virginia found information on SEEARP. Funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and managed by the Oregon Department of Energy and the Oregon Department of Housing and Community Services, the program provides low-income Oregon homeowners with rebates on energy-efficient equipment. The program began in January, 2010 with a 70-percent reimbursement (up to $2,000) on ENERGY STAR® qualified heat pumps and furnaces. It was recently expanded to include ENERGY STAR qualified water heaters, refrigerators, dishwashers, and clothes washers.
"The Appliance Rebate Program is specifically aimed at Oregon homeowners who are low-income," says Rebecca Sweetland, program manager for the Oregon Department of Energy. "These homeowners often don't have a tax liability so they can't benefit from tax credits. The Appliance Rebate Program can help them replace their inefficient appliances."
The Meyers selected Sunset Heating and Cooling of Portland to install a new Lennox ENERGY STAR qualified 95-percent efficient gas furnace. The cost of the furnace and installation totaled $4,760, but after SEEARP, utility, and other rebates, they only paid $1,860. Sunset Heating and Cooling also took care of recycling the old furnace, a requirement for SEEARP.
"It went very smoothly and we got our rebate check much more quickly than I expected," Virginia says. "We are very happy with the program."
State contact: Rebecca Sweetland, 503-373-7939
DOE contact: Lani MacRae, 202-586-9193
Visit: oregon.gov/ENERGY/Recovery/Funding and energysavers.gov/rebates
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