Residential Customers

Electric Water Heater Rebate

If you need a new water heater, make it an energy efficient electric water heater and get cash back! Submit the original receipt and receive a $50 rebate. This offer is available for new and existing homes. You must be a current Warren RECC member. Only one rebate per household per year will be eligible.The check will be mailed to the member or builder listed on the electric account at the location where the water heater is installed. On-demand and tankless water heaters are not eligible for the rebate. Please allow two weeks for processing. Mail the original receipt to: Warren RECC, Member Services Department, P.O. Box 1118, Bowling Green, KY 42102-1118.

Heat Pumps

A heat pump is the most efficient form of electric heating in a moderate climate, such as Kentucky. A heat pump can provide up to three times more heating than the equivalent amount of electricity it consumes. An electric heat pump can trim the amount of energy you use for heating by as much as 30 to 40 percent. To learn more about heat pumps, an explanation of terms, and Warren RECC's Heat Pump Loan Program, click here.

Energy Policy Act of 2005

The Energy Policy Act of 2005 was passed by Congress on July 29, 2005 and signed into law by President Bush on August 8, 2005. The Act was intended to establish a comprehensive, long-range energy policy. It provides incentives for traditional energy production as well as newer, more efficient energy technologies, and conservation. More than 1,700 pages long, the Act has hundreds of provisions. Among its many provisions, the Act provides tax credits for homeowners and homebuilders. To learn more, click on the following links:

For Homeowners: http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=154657,00.html

For Homebuilders: http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=154658,00.html

Becoming Energy Efficient

When fuel costs rise, everything is affected in one way or another. Sometimes it doesn't seem we can tighten our belts any more, but small savings can add up and are often overlooked. Warren RECC is committed to helping you be as energy efficient as possible. Here are some tips to get you started on your way to energy efficiency:

• Caulk and weatherstrip doors and windows that leak air.
• Install rubber gaskets behind outlet and switch plates on exterior walls. These precut gaskets can be purchased at most home improvement and building supply centers.
• Caulk and seal air leaks where plumbing, duct work, or electrical wiring penetrates through exterior walls, floors, ceilings, and soffits over cabinets. 

• If you have a fireplace, keep the damper closed unless a fire is going. Keeping the damper open is like having a 48-inch window wide open during the winter; it allows warm air to go right up the chimney.
• Set your thermostat as low as is comfortable in the winter and as high as is comfortable in the summer. You can save as much as 10 percent annually on your heating and cooling bills by doing this.
• Install a programmable thermostat.
• Clean or replace filters once a month or as needed, and maintain the system according to the manufacturer's instructions.
• Don't place lamps or TV sets near the thermostat. The heat from these appliances can affect the thermostat and fool it into thinking the house is actually warmer than it is, which can cause the heat pump to run longer than necessary in the summer months. And in the winter, if these appliances are placed too close to your thermostat, it would sense the inside termperature is warmer than it actually is, which would prevent the unit from operating at the set temperature.
• Keep indoor registers and return grills unobstructed.
• Keep outdoor unit clean and unobstructed. Lawn mowing should be done so as to blow grass clippings and leaves away from the coil.
• Have a qualified professional service your heat pump annually. The inspection should also include checking all duct work for loose insulation and/or leaks.
• Change incandescent light bulbs with Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) that have earned the Energy Star® label. Click here to learn more about how CFLs can save you money.

Check out the following topics for more energy saving ideas:

• Appliances
  • Refrigerator
  • Range
  • Washer/Dryer/Dishwasher
• Water Heating
• Windows
• Space or Portable Heaters

It takes a little time to become energy efficient, but the savings can be virtually immediate. Here are some great sources to learn more about energy efficiency: