http://www.window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/taxpubs/tx98_836/
It seems like a good idea to me, much better than tax breaks for things like hybrid cars. The best part of the automotive incentives was that it helped get older cars off the road, but the difference in the cars replacing them between hybrids and normal cars really just isn't much to write home about. Appliances however still have a very significant gap in the cheap and the energy efficient, and promoting energy efficiency in the home is I think one of the most important things consumers can make an impact on as far as energy reduction/independence.
Especially here in Texas however I think they need to emphasize the importance of insulation and window seals. Last year my parents had energy efficient window screens put in that essentially act as a radiant energy barrier, keeping the hot out in the summer and in in the winter. It was a pretty significant insulation cost, but I believe it lowered our electricity bill in the summer by about a third.
It seems like a good idea to me, much better than tax breaks for things like hybrid cars. The best part of the automotive incentives was that it helped get older cars off the road, but the difference in the cars replacing them between hybrids and normal cars really just isn't much to write home about. Appliances however still have a very significant gap in the cheap and the energy efficient, and promoting energy efficiency in the home is I think one of the most important things consumers can make an impact on as far as energy reduction/independence.
Especially here in Texas however I think they need to emphasize the importance of insulation and window seals. Last year my parents had energy efficient window screens put in that essentially act as a radiant energy barrier, keeping the hot out in the summer and in in the winter. It was a pretty significant insulation cost, but I believe it lowered our electricity bill in the summer by about a third.
