Give Us Some (Energy) Credit

Your power company will pay you to reduce your bill.

Really!

That's especially appealing right now. The state House and Senate are considering measures that would be good for global warming but not so good for our wallets. If passed, the bills will require power companies to increase their use of renewable energy sources, which cost more (in terms of money) than coal- and gas-generated power.

How to root for renewable energy while protecting the kids' college funds? Take advantage of the incentives and rebates that the Bay area's two biggest power companies offer for energy-efficient upgrades to your home. Tampa Electric Co. added to its cash rewards in April, and Progress Energy expanded its money-back deals a year ago.

Tampa Electric customers can go to www.tampaelectric.com/residential/saveenergy to get more detailed rebate requirements and to find other money-saving programs. Or call (813) 223-0800 to schedule a free energy evaluation (and get a free eight-pack of CFL light bulbs).

Progress Energy customers must schedule a free home evaluation to qualify for any rebate offers. Call 1-888-302-8348 for an appointment (and get free weatherstripping, CFL bulbs and draft stoppers for electric outlets.) Go to www.savethewatts.com to learn about other money-saving offers.

INSULATION
What it does: Wraps your house in a protective shell that helps keep out the heat (or cold)

What you'll pay: In the attic, 99 cents per square foot for R-19, installed, at Home Depot. Injected wall foam from Bayside Insulation of Tampa costs 80 cents a square foot for concrete block walls and $1.25 a square foot for wood-frame walls.

What you'll get back: TECO customers must get a home evaluation, which is free, to qualify for an attic insulation rebate. You'll get $100 to $200, depending on square footage. (The contractor deducts the amount from your invoice and is reimbursed by TECO.) No inspection is required for wall foam. You'll get $200 for a minimum R-6 insulation in the walls. Go to www.tampaelectric.com/residential/saveenergy/buildingenvelope/ to download the reimbursement form.

Progress Energy customers get $75 to $100 for attic insulation, depending on what R rating you have and to what you upgrade, plus 5 cents to 7 cents for every square foot of living space over 1,500. For wall foam, you'll get 20 cents per square foot up to $300.

WINDOW UPGRADES
What they do: Minimize the greenhouse effect and protect furnishings from UV rays

What you'll pay: A 3-by-5-foot Jeld-Wen Premium Atlantic Single Hung window with a super-energy-efficient U-value of .33 sells for $277. Energy Film from www.homedepot.com to cover the same size window is $27.

What you'll get back: TECO customers get $350 for replacing all their windows with ones that have an NFRC rating of 0.4 or less and a U-value of 0.65 or less. (NRFC is the agency that certifies windows for energy performance, which is measured by U value.) Put film with a shading rating of 0.45 or less on all eastern and western windows and you'll get $1 per square foot up to $200. Go to www.tampaelectric.com/residential/saveenergy/buildingenvelope/ to download the reimbursement form.

Progress Energy customers get $1 per square foot, up to $250, for windows with an NFRC rating of .50 or less and a U-value of .75 or less. Film or solar screening with a shading rating of .45 or less applied to eastern, western and southern windows gets half the cost up to $100.

AC SYSTEM WITH HEAT PUMP
What it does: An air-conditioning system that heats in the winter by drawing in warmth from outside (yes, even when it's really cold).

Heating is gradual and even. In contrast, electric systems provide instant warmth with electricity-fueled blasts of very hot air. As the hot air cools, the system produces another blast.

What you'll pay: $4,500 for a 14 SEER, 2-ton Trane system, installed, from Lloyd's Heating & Cooling of Tampa. That size is sufficient for an 1,100-square-foot home, owner Lloyd Mishkel says.

What you'll get: TECO pays $125 to $275 for a minimum 14 SEER rated heat pump system; the amount depends on what you're replacing. The installer deducts the rebate from your invoice.
Progress Energy customers get $100 to $350 for a 14 or 15 SEER rated heat pump, depending on what you're replacing. Or, get $50 for installing a new air-conditioning system that doesn't use electric heat.

DUCTWORK
What it does: Carries cool air (or heat) from the AC to you

What you'll pay: TECO customers pay $50 for a professional inspection that includes sealing leaks, minimizing future leaks and identifying bigger repairs. In Hillsborough County, call (813) 223-0800 for an appointment.

Progress Energy customers pay $30 for a duct test that identifies leaks and other needed repairs and estimates costs for these. Call (727) 443-2641.

What you'll get: Progress Energy customers get $150 toward duct repairs.

SOLAR WATER HEATER
What it does: Uses sun power to deliver your hot shower

What you'll pay: $3,500 to $5,500, depending on size, type of system and other particulars, according to the Florida Solar Energy Center (www.fsec.ucf.edu)

What you'll get: Progress Energy customers who install a solar water heater AND sign up for the utility's EnergyWise program get $450 toward their system. They also get monthly utility bill credits for allowing the company to briefly cycle off power to their hot water and heating-cooling systems during peak demand.

Customers must get the free EnergyWise equipment first to qualify.

Solar energy systems are exempt from sales tax in Florida.