The City of Tallahassee is offering double rebates for Energy Star appliances starting this week and running through the end of the month. The local program corresponds with a state sales tax holiday for energy efficient appliances scheduled for this weekend.
Under the city’s rebate program, Tallahassee Utility Services Director Reese Goad says customers can expect to see what he calls “pretty significant” savings.
“If you switch from an electric water heater to a natural gas water heater, with our double rebate you’ll get $1,350 to do that. So it’s quite meaningful and for lots of customers it will cover almost the entire purchase and installation price,” Goad says.
Goad says the amount of money customers can save using the rebate varies from item to item, but any appliance in the store that’s labeled Energy Star certified qualifies for the promotion. Customers just need turn their receipts in to the utility to get credited for the rebate on their utility bills. Goad says the move helps reduce customers’ bills in the long run, and could also help the city put off the need for another power plant.
“We’re a growing community and we don’t expect that to change. So what we want to make sure is that we have enough capacity in the future to meet today’s needs and in the future and as you use less that allows more room for new neighbors and new businesses that may move to town,” Goad says.
During a recent city commission meeting, Tallahassee Mayor John Marks said there are just two reasons the city might need a new power plant – because of changing technology or growth.
“We may not be able to address the obsolescence issue or the wearing out of the utility system, but we can address having to build a new plant as a result of growth. And if we can do the things we’re doing on the demand side – this demand side management issue – we can avoid that next plant based on growth,” Marks said.
Goad says the per household energy consumption in Tallahassee has decreased by about 20 percent over the past 10 years. He says that’s thanks to some habit changes, but also due to more efficient appliances. And he says that’s helping Tallahassee to outpace its energy conservation goals. Officials are predicting the next power plant project could be needed in about five-years when an existing power plant will be due for an upgrade.
