Our Idaho Falls Power utility has a great and under-publicized program to help you get new windows and make other energy-efficiency improvements at your home.
I replaced 11 windows in my ‘new’ home through this program, including a large living room window and a patio door. It added $43 monthly to my bill for five years, and I do not have to pay a penny in interest.
The way it works is you call 612-8526 and request the “Residential Weatherization Program”. They put you on the list for an energy auditor to visit your home and determine what improvements qualify. They are very busy, so expect to wait a few weeks after being put on the list.
When the energy auditor visits, they inspect your windows, weather stripping, insulation, etc. They make recommendations to increase your energy efficiency, and give you written specifications for the recommendations and a list of local participating contractors. You call at least three of those contractors for quotes, and decide the best deal. Note that you don’t have to take the lowest bid.
The contractor does the specified work, the energy auditor revisits to inspect for a good job, then your payments starts a month or two later and are included with your normal power bill. It’s easy, helps you reduce your power bills, improves your home for resale, and they don’t charge any interest over the five-year term.
The criteria include having paid Idaho Falls Power bills on time for at least 12 months, among others. Call 612-8526 for more details on this awesome program offered to Idaho Falls Power customers.
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Gato got runned over by Marcus many moons ago. Be ye daft, 2486? 
Let's have a new poll, alright, Joe?
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{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
I really like it when you cover things like this. I recently went through a bunch of your posts and found a lot of things that I thought should be covered. I wish that I wasn’t going to tear down this house sooner than later, or I would look into this great program. I don’t know what an amortized comparison on the costs would look like because I don’t know the contractor’s cost but the interest difference would be an interesting figure to include.
Another bonus to participating in this program is you get a tax credit. Our $2,531 of new windows earned us a 7.8% tax rebate.
We could have taken it a couple years ago when we first go them, but didn’t know the tax rebate was available. Thank goodness we can file an addendum.
IF Power probably cannot tell people about it because it would be like giving tax advice. I have heard many (but not all) energy efficiency improvements you do to your home can earn the 7.8% credit.
I also heard this credit will expire in 2008, so call IF Power to schedule an energy efficiency audit this year. I am sure glad I did.
Wow! What great information. The home we purchased last year was built in the 50’s and the windows are those lovely kind that have a turn crank to open them. Needless to say after 50+ years of weather, use and the house setteling, not all of them work all that well and won’t close tight. I will have to give them a call and see what can be done. Thanks for the great info!
BTW there is more info available on the City webpage at http://www.ci.idaho-falls.id.us/main/index2.asp?PageId=568
Unfortunately it does state that you must have electric heat to qualify. I have natural gas so I guess I wouldn’t be able to take advantage of this program.
The PR did a story on this today, and pointed out that IF Power also will audit business energy use, not just homeowners.
If you pay Idaho Falls Power and have electric heat, I encourage you to schedule an audit.
Remember they can finance ZERO-INTEREST loans on new windows, appliances, and contractor costs to improve your energy efficiency.
Just a reminder, if you pay for city power for at least the past 12 months, look into this option for energy upgrades.