Spoon River Electric Cooperative
News Center
Weatherization Program Expanded
Spring’s arrival brings warmer temperatures, a little more daylight and something most of us are less excited about: tax time. But while you’re thinking about taxes, you might want to give some thought to something that can save you a lot of money on next year’s: energy efficiency.
The recently passed stimulus bill included significant incentives for upgrading your heating and cooling systems, weatherizing your home or switching to geothermal.
Qualified Energy Star heating, ventilation and cooling systems installed in 2009 and 2010 are eligible for a tax credit of 30 percent of the cost, up to $1,500. You can see a complete list of eligible equipment at www.energystar.gov.
More people will now qualify for a federal weatherization program thanks to a boost in funding from $500 million per year to nearly $5 billion. The program eligibility is now 200 percent over the poverty line. Up to $6,500 can be spent on each house, a substantial increase from the former maximum of $2,500.
Geothermal heat pumps are eligible for a tax credit of 30 percent of installation costs, with no maximum credit.
Our staff at the Spoon River Mechanical Services Energy Efficiency Center can help you better understand these programs and implement the savings for your home. The savings comes not just from the tax credits, but also from lower electric bills every month.
Call us at (309) 647-3450 to learn more.
Utility Bill Change
In January of 2009 the date your electricity bill is due will be adjusted. The due date will change from the 25th of the month to the 21st of the month—unless the 21st falls on a Saturday, Sunday or cooperative holiday. Payment will be due on the next business day.
The cooperative power bill—the electricity we buy and provide to our members—is due on the 25th of the month. We have streamlined the meter reading and billing process with Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) and other technologies, so you are receiving your bill around the 6th of the month.
In order to pay our power bill, we need members and large-usage accounts to adjust their calendars to pay the electricity bill earlier. It is essential for the cooperative to have guaranteed funds on the 25th so SREC does not have to maintain a large line of credit to cover a power bill in the event a member with a large balance fails to pay before the cooperative power bill is due.
The four-day adjustment is sufficient for SREC to have funds transfer to our Generation & Transmission (G & T) cooperative, Prairie Power, on the 25th of the month.
Members participating in the Budget Billing or Auto-debit will continue the programs with minor changes.
Budget Billing Members: The bill due date change from the 25th to the 21st will not change other aspects of your account.
Auto-debit Members: The bill due date change form the 25th to the 21st will adjust the date the cooperative will debit your selected account. The cooperative will debit the account on the 21st of the month—unless the 21st falls on a Saturday, Sunday or cooperative holiday. The debit will be applied the next business day. Please make a note on your calendars of the withdraw date change.
