Federal energy programs expire at end of year

WINOOSKI—As temperatures drop across the Northeast, partners in the statewide Button Up Vermont campaign are urging homeowners and renters to prepare homes for colder temperatures, using Vermont weatherization and heat pump rebates and the soon-to-expire federal tax credits for projects completed this year.
Weatherization rebates from Efficiency Vermont, Vermont Gas Systems (VGS), and other partners will continue, but federal home energy tax credits for things like energy-efficient windows and doors, insulation and air sealing, and heating systems all expire at the end of the year.
Efficiency Vermont rebates and VGS incentives offer customers up to $9,500 for comprehensive weatherization projects. Incentives vary based on household size and income. Income-eligible households may qualify for free weatherization through the state’s Weatherization Assistance Programs (WAPs). 
Vermonters who complete home energy projects by December 31 may also be able to use federal home energy tax credits. 
Telltale signs a home is losing heat and needs “buttoning up” include:
• Drafts, even when the heat is on. This could be a sign that cold air is leaking in and that heat is leaking out, wasting energy;
• Snow melting unevenly on a roof, indicating an attic in need of air sealing and insulation;
• Icicles or ice dams forming on a rooftop, a sign that heat is escaping through the roof; and
• Mold. A lack of insulation or proper ventilation can cause moisture to rise and get trapped, creating unhealthy indoor air and potentially other issues for a home if left untreated.
Insulating and air-sealing a home as part of a comprehensive weatherization project can address these issues, as well as important health and safety considerations, like moisture management, ventilation, and indoor air quality. Learn more at buttonupvermont.org/rebates-financing.