Rashid Burney

While we in NJ have the distinction of having some of the highest property taxes in the nation, we also have some of the best schools in the nation. NJ is amongst the leaders in the nation when it comes to high school students going onto collage.

Another area we are leaders is in energy rebates for energy efficiency heating and cooling and overall energy efficiency measures. I will list these various rebate programs below along with links to the appropriate State web-site.

Background: All these programs are under the NJ Clean Energy program run by the BPU. Each program carries certain restrictions so care must be taken when making a decision. Please note that none of the programs listed below carry any income restriction, but some do carry a utility company or fuel consumption restriction.

Energy Star

The funding source for these rebates are the American Recovery and Reinvest Act of 2009. The program is scheduled to start in April 2010. Check back here to get updated information. The following products and rebates apply for this program:

• Dehumidifiers - $25.00 (Available from Jan 2010 to December 2010)
• Clothe washer - $75.00 (this is scheduled to be available in April 2010)

Refregerator/Freezer Recycling

This program is designed to encourage responsible recycling of these freon-filled appliances.

• Rebate of $50
• To arrange for a free pick up of your old refrigerator/freezer call 877-270-3520 or schedule online at JACO Environmental
• Other restrictions apply. Click here for complete details of the program.

Solar Domestic Hot water

Water heating using the power of the sun is in it's infancy all over these United States. The volumes are not there to get the economies. This is one of my favorite ideas and I think this will be big within a decade. For now, those of you on an electric water heater you may be eligible for a $1,200 rebate. Click heremore many details. In the winter any excess heat can be used to supplement boilers or radiant heat and in the summer, this heat can be diverted to heat swimming pools.

Warm and Cool Advantage

These rebates you will need your HVAC contractor to help you with as far as the paper work is involved. The State offers rebates on central AC, furnaces, boiler and hot water heaters. They are as follows:

• AC - SEER 14.5 and EER of 12 or higher (Heat Pump must have HSPF of 8.5) = $100
• AC - SEER 15 or higher and EER of 12.5 or higher (Heat Pump must have HSPF of 8.5) = $150
• Geothermal Heat Pump (must be Energy Star rated) = $150
• Gas Furnace (92% AFUE or higher & Energy Star rated) = $300
• Gas Furnace (92% or higher and Energy Star rated) with ECM = $400
• Gas Boiler (85% AFUE or higher) = $300
• Domestic Hot Water (.62 EF or higher) = $25
• Domestic Hot Water (.82 or higher) = $300 you are talking about a tank less on-demand here

On all of the Warm and Cool Advantage, click here more more and complete information.

Home Performance With Energy Star

This is the grand daddy of all the programs. In a nutshell, the state offers 50% rebates on heating , cooling, insulation and water heating upgrades. There are a lot of restrictions on this program and you must get an energy audit first to get a full assessment on your home. But with a total rebate of up to $10,000 many are finding that it is well worth the effort to do this correctly. The state has certified contractors in this program. Yours truly and my company, Building Sciences are certified contractors under this program.

Here is the process:

• Get an energy audit ($125)
• Contractor comes up with results from audit and recommendations, and applicable rebates
• Customer signs contract for energy efficiency upgrades
• Contractor submits paperwork to NJ Clean Energy program (this takes 4-6 weeks right now)
• Once approved, work is completed
• Customer signs work completion paperwork
• NJ Clean Energy sends rebate directly to customer in approximately 4 months

For more info on this program, simply contact me, or click here.

Finally there are the Comfort Partners which which has significant income restrictions. This is not a rebate program, but in fact an energy efficiency program. For complete details click here for a brochure.

As a means of expanding my market coverage, I frequently give presentations at real estate offices to realtors on several topics, including Home Energy Efficiency. Questions inevitably come to me on contractors, and what to look for.

Here in NJ many professionals require some type of government censure. To drive a car, you need a license. To sell real estate, you need a license. To practice law or medicine you need a license. But to put on a roof, or an addition to your home one only needs to be registered, not licensed or certified.

So what are the differences? Simple, yet not always that simple.

License: Almost always granted by a government, typically the state. In order to obtain a license, in almost all cases a test of competency is required. Remember taking the driving test? Your Home Inspection or Realtor test at one of those testing centers where they make you strip? You had to prove some level of competency - though I must say that in the case of the Home Inspector exam, it was more a test of double negatives and the English language then an actual Home Inspection exam - anyway, somehow I managed.

Registration: Just as it sounds. In the case of contractors, all you need to do is fill out a form and send in $90 to the State of NJ and in three weeks you receive a registration certificate with a registration number on it. This number you will see on contractor vans occasionally labeled as "Lic # XXX". In NJ, only electricians and plumbers are actually licensed and all other contractors are registered. They do not take any tests, and are not required to attend any schooling, apprentice program, or have any level of proven education. The registration requirement was enacted by the Home Improvement Contractor Registration act of 2004 and became effective in 2006. See State of NJ website here.

Most contractors I know are sound tradesmen, and they know what they are doing. I point this out this clarification as useful information to know - a baseline - not a ceiling. To see a list of NJ Registered Contractors, click here. Always work only with those registered with the state as a bare minimum.

Certification: Typically offered through institutes and organizations. Not part of the government and often some light testing of competency is required, and almost always some class-time is required. In NJ, Realtors and Home Inspectors must be licensed, not just certified. Additional certifications are useful though and highly recommended.

Membership: In most cases membership of a professional organization is open to those licensed or approved in some manner by their state. Membership sometimes requires experience and competency like ASHI and NACHI for Home Inspectors. In all cases membership should not be construed as competency, but should give further indications of business practices.

Finally, while a license or registration is a bare minimum, experience, references, certifications and memberships put altogether give you a better picture of the person's ability to do your required project/task. Always require all of the above categories of information.