Thinking of Getting a Heat Pump? There are Rebates and it Helps the Climate Too.

The nation’s electric utilities have voiced overwhelming support for reducing carbon emissions. Eighty percent of U.S. electricity customers are served by a utility with a 100% carbon-reduction target, according to the Smart Electric Power Alliance, and utility executives have touted their sustainability plans at the U.N. Climate Conference, Davos and beyond.

So why is it so hard to get help switching to a climate-friendly heat pump?

Marvels of modern engineering, heat pumps provide heating and cooling by transferring warm or cold air into or out of a home, eliminating the need to generate heat. They have been shown to substantially slash consumer heating costs and cut greenhouse gas emissions up to 50%.

At the federal level, consumers are eligible for a tax credit that covers 30% of the cost of buying and installing a heat pump, up to a maximum of $2,000 per year. The TECH Clean California program offers incentives to contractors to install heat pumps, and the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power and other utilities offer rebates and other benefits. In Marin County, where I live, state, county and local incentives promised to bring the total rebate on my project to almost $5,000.

read more at: https://www.pressreader.com/usa/los-angeles-times/20240402/281689734826401

Summer is Coming; Let the Aussies Inform You How to Keep Your House Cool For Less During Summer

Running air-conditioning all day isn’t the only – or the cheapest – way to keep cool, and homeowners and renters can make small tweaks to their homes to beat the heat in the cost-of-living crisis.

The first step was to identify a part of the house that would be improved, typically where the most time was spent, such as a living room or kitchen.

From there, Adams recommended installing or improving insulation, both in the ceiling or beneath the floor. “Putting insulation in the ceiling, if there was none there, would really make a significant difference,” he said.

Adams said even those who already had insulation might not be getting its full benefit if it were incorrectly installed or if the ceiling featured downlights (canned lighting).

“Lots of houses have recessed light fittings, with gaps around them because some lights were designed to have airflow past them to keep them cool,” he said.

Next was to draught-seal doors and windows to prevent cool or warm air from escaping, and adding heavy or sun-blocking curtains or blinds to keep the sun out and warmth in.

read more at: https://www.smh.com.au/property/news/how-to-keep-your-house-cool-for-less-during-summer-20231221-p5et4g.html

San Diego County Home Sales Sink, Median Drops as Inventory Shrinks

San Diego home sales in September hit one of the lowest levels ever as mortgage rates continue to affect buyers.

Tight inventory had pushed up the median home price for months, despite rising mortgage rates, but prices dropped 1.2% monthly to $830,000 in September. The median which combines resale and newly built SFR, condo and townhouses is still up 5.1% annually.

Read more at: https://www.pressreader.com/usa/san-diego-union-tribune/20231031/281509345882846