Governor’s Energy Office “Recharge Colorado” energy rebate program is immediately oversubscribed on “tankless water heaters,” proving the popularity and efficiency of this endless supply of hot water, says Ben Franklin Plumbing of DenverDENVER, CO – Colorado consumers eager to cash in on energy-efficient rebates from the Governor’s Energy Office clogged phone lines and the internet on the program’s first day April 19, and those lucky enough to register locked up the entire rebate allocation for tankless hot water heaters in a matter of hours.The oversubscription on $300 tankless hot water heater rebates put the public spotlight on one of the most energy-efficient and energy-saving home appliances on the market, says Steve Jusseaume, owner of Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Denver, but he notes that significant incentives to upgrade to tankless technology are still in place.”The federal government is offering up to $1,500 in tax credits – credits, not deductions – for the purchase and installation of a tankless hot water heating system through the end of 2010, and most ultility companies have rebates too,” Jusseaume notes. “But the real advantage in tankless hot water heaters is endless hot water for every need in your home at a fraction of the energy cost of a traditional hot water heater.”Ben Franklin Plumbing of Denver, through its affiliation with the Number One plumbing residential franchise operation in America, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, is an exclusive distributor of GoHOT tankless hot water heaters.

Jusseaume explains that the GoHOT appliances heat water on demand, supplying an endless supply of fresh hot water to every appliance and fixture in the home even if they are all in operation at once.In addition to endless hot water, tankless hot water heating systems are compact in design and can be mounted to a wall inside or outside of the home. Also, GoHOT tankless hot water heaters are rated at an energy efficiency of 83% to over 90%, compared to just 60% from traditional tank hot water heaters, which adds up to significant savings on utility bills. Indeed, Xcel Energy, the main utility provider for the Denver Metro area, offers a $100 energy bill rebate to any Colorado customer installing a tankless hot water heater in recognition of its energy-saving attributes.”Certainly the tax credits and the energy-efficiency rebates have raised awareness for tankless hot water heaters, but to be honest we’re installing more and more of our GoHOT systems all the time because people truly want to greatly improve the delivery of hot water in their home and save energy,” says Ben Franklin’s Jusseaume.The Governor’s Energy Office Recharge Colorado program has $18 million available for consumer rebates on certain home appliances and home improvements, and there are funds allocated to different categories that will be distributed until the money is claimed. Under the program, for instance, the GEO set aside enough money for a $75 rebate on a qualifying clothes washer, with a limit of 4,000 units in that category, and up to $100 for a refrigerator, with 6,000 rebates allocated.

The state set a limit of 500, $300 rebates for tankless hot water heaters. For more information on the program, to claim a rebate or to be placed on a waiting list for oversubscribed categories with unfulfilled reservations, visit the Recharge Colorado website at http://rechargecolorado.com.For information on the federal government tax credits for energy-efficient appliances and home improvements visit http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=products.pr_tax_credits for full details. For energy bill rebates offered by Xcel Energy in Colorado visit  http://www.xcelenergy.com/COLORADO/RESIDENTIAL/PROGRAMS_RESOURCES/HEATINGANDCOOLINGREBATES/Pages/WaterHeaterRebates.aspx.Ben Franklin Plumbing of Denver personnel also have full details on all these tax credit and rebates and can assist customers in making claims and filing the necessary paperwork.Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Denver has been family owned since its founding in the Denver Metro area in 1978, first as Deer Creek Plumbing and, since 2005, under the Ben Franklin banner. The firm offers complete residential plumbing services, including leak repairs, remodeling upgrades, home inspections, sewer service and many more core capabilities, with licensed plumbers. For more information and to schedule a guaranteed appointment call 1-866-PUNCTUAL (866-786-2882), 303-340-3400 or visit http://www.benfranklinplumbingdenver.com/.

Consumers to get money back for hot water heaters and other appliances, solar panels, insulation, and home efficiency improvements. The Governor’s Energy Office encourages homeowners to plan ahead – when the money runs out, the rebates end.

DENVER – March 16, 2010 — Coloradans can soon tap into millions of Recovery Act dollars and take steps to save money, boost the economy and save energy as the Governor’s Energy Office and partners prepare to launch a sweeping, statewide rebate program April 19. This initiative is designed to bring energy efficiency and renewable energy to tens of thousands of Coloradans and will provide nearly 75,000 rebates worth approximately $22 million.

Coloradans will be able to connect easily with opportunities to save dollars and do some good for the economy and the environment by visiting the Recharge Colorado website (also launching April 19) to sign up for rebates on a wide array of appliances, services and equipment that will save energy, reduce energy bills and create jobs for Colorado. The website and rebate program will offer Colorado consumers a service unprecedented in scope – providing comprehensive and localized information about rebates, financial incentives, contractors, energy conservation tips and availability of goods and services across the state.

Items eligible for rebates will include:

• Equipment such as dishwashers, clothes washers, refrigerators, as well as furnaces and hot water heaters.
• Residential energy efficiency measures such as insulation and air sealing, duct sealing, whole-house energy audits and whole-house energy monitors.
• Renewable energy projects, including solar photovoltaic systems, solar hot water systems for homes and businesses and small wind installations.

A complete list is included at the end of this announcement. About one-third of the rebates will be provided for ENERGY STAR appliances, furnaces and hot water heaters. The bulk of the funding for the program is provided through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Local partners across Colorado provided additional dollars.

“Coloradans are unique and our goal was to develop a rebate program and education campaign that would match the ‘do it yourself’ ethic that is a hallmark of this great state,” said GEO director Tom Plant. “We look forward to providing Coloradans this opportunity to save money, save energy and participate in our New Energy Economy. We invite consumers to discover the wealth of energy-saving information available to them through this one-stop clearinghouse at our soon-to-be-launched Recharge Colorado web site. Connecting people to this information will, in turn, mean more jobs and business for the companies that provide these valuable services.”

Ben Franklin Plumbing of Denver added that it sells and installs a line of tankless hot water heaters from Rinnai that qualify for the Governor’s Energy Office rebate program, as well as rebate programs from Denver Water and federal tax credits. Also, Ben Franklin can provide a range of plumbing services for other appliances covered the in the new rebate program, and the master plumbing company will assist homeowners with all of the necessary paperwork to be able to claim a rebate, incentive or tax credit. Call Ben Franklin Plumbing Denver at 303-340-3400 or visit its website at www.benfranklinplumbingdenver.com for more details.

Critical consumer information

The GEO expects high consumer interest in all rebates. For ENERGY STAR appliance rebates, the GEO along with its local partners expects brisk consumer action. Those appliances account for about 16,000 of the rebates. In light of that, it’s important for consumers to have realistic expectations and to recognize the limits of the program.

Rebates on kitchen appliances range from $50 to $100 while those for hot water heaters and furnaces range from $200 to $500. These rebates will be reserved on-line on a first-come, first-served basis. The GEO rebates will not be retroactive. This means that products purchased and installed before the GEO launches the program will be ineligible for rebates.

Consumers are reminded that no rebates are guaranteed until all documentation is provided to the GEO. Consumers that are interested in energy efficiency appliances should consider the savings that are immediately available to them through retailer, utility or manufacturer incentives. Many retailers may currently offer sales that exceed what will be available in the rebate program.

Rebates for renewable energy measures, such as solar hot water or solar electric systems, will require a home energy audit before applying. Walkthrough audits that have been conducted after Dec. 31 2006 but before program launch can be accepted. After April 19, however, the audit must be performed by a Building Performance Institute (BPI) or Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) certified auditor. Rebates are available for home energy audits performed after April 19.

Beginning April 19, consumers will be directed to the Recharge Colorado website to apply for and reserve rebates. The rebate check will be issued to the homeowner, for both energy efficiency and renewable energy applications. More detailed information on the rebate application process and rebate criteria will be provided on the GEO website by March 31.

Home appliance rebates

ALL APPLIANCES MUST BE ENERGY STAR RATED.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS EXIST above just Energy Star labeling in some cases

Not all products and services will qualify for a rebate. The GEO strongly encourages consumers to review the rebate materials carefully when considering purchases.

For an appliance that is deemed eligible, the following rebate level will be paid:*

• Clothes washers $75
• Dishwashers $50
• *Refrigerators $100 with proof the previous refrigerator was recycled. Proof consists of a receipt from a recycling facility or a receipt from a retailer engaged in an existing recycling agreement with the GEO. A list of retailers will be available in coming weeks.
• *Refrigerators $50 with no proof of recycling.
• **Furnaces – gas condensing $500
• Hot water heater – gas condensing/high performance $200 (minimum efficiency rating available in coming weeks)
• Hot water heater – gas tankless $300
• Gas boilers – $400

*Refrigerators must be at least 12 cubic feet in size to qualify.

**Furnaces must also be rated at an Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) greater or equal to 92 percent

Residential energy efficiency rebates

• Insulation and air sealing – 20% of cost up to $400 (will not exceed $600 if combined with an existing local utility rebate taken by the consumer)
• Duct sealing – 20% of cost up to $75 (will not exceed $125 if combined with an existing local utility rebate)
• Whole-house energy audit – tiered rebate of $25 to $100 depending on cost of audit
• Whole-house energy monitor – $50 (will not exceed $100 if combined with an existing local utility rebate)

Renewable energy rebates
Note: Rebates are based on system size, calculated per watt. So no hard dollar figure is provided here.

• Solar photovoltaic – 20 to 30%. In some cases, rebates combined with local incentives will result in a 50 % reduction in costs.
• Solar domestic hot water – 30% of the cost
• Solar thermal and/or hot water (commercial only – no pools, spas or snowmelt) – approx. 30 % of the cost of the system
• Small wind (residential) up to 10 kW – approx. 30% of the cost of the system
• Small wind (commercial) – approx. 15 to 20% of the cost of the system

*Xcel and Black Hills Energy customers are excluded due to existing residential photovoltaic rebates offered through those utilities.