Utilities, too, want to be co-investors in your quest to cut energy use. BGE has long offered $50 rebates on high-efficiency refrigerators, freezers and washers. BGE just received approval for a more ambitious plan that will rebate 15 percent of the cost of qualified energy upgrades - up to $1,300. (Watch BGESmartEnergy.com for details as the program is rolled out.)
Combined, all these programs could end up paying for close to half of some aspects of making your house weather-tight. Then you'll save hundreds or thousands in future BGE bills.
You can also save on BGE bills by signing up for PeakRewards (888-309-7325), which puts a cutoff switch on your air conditioner. I've had it for two summers and never noticed it.
Save even more by buying electricity through Clean Currents (301-754-0430). At 11.5 cents per kilowatt hour, Clean Currents' "100 percent wind" product will be about $10 less per month this summer than BGE's standard price. (Yes, you can buy from Clean Currents or other alternate suppliers and stay in BGE's PeakRewards plan.)
You're not necessarily buying Maryland-produced wind electricity, but each Clean Currents kilowatt comes with a "Green Tag" certifying that an equal amount of wind electricity was produced somewhere in the country.
Or switch to Washington Gas Energy Services' (888-884-9437) even cheaper (5 percent wind) deal of 10.8 cents per kilowatt-hour and invest the savings in insulation, solar panels and whatnot.
You'll help the planet, save on taxes, stimulate the economy and reap lower BGE bills.
What are you waiting for?
ENERGY UPGRADE INCENTIVES
* 30 percent federal tax credit up to $1,500 for insulation, appliances, other retrofits
* 30 percent federal tax credit, unlimited, for installing solar, geothermal systems
* Maryland grants of up to $10,000 for solar, household wind systems
* $100 BGE credits for air conditioner shut-off switches
* 15 percent BGE rebates on efficient appliances
