Rebates available soon for energy-saving home upgrades

Another economic stimulus program encouraging Minnesotans to make energy upgrades to their homes takes effect this week.

In addition to getting up to $1500 in tax credits for a variety of energy enhancements, Minnesotans now can qualify for up to $4,000 in rebates for upgrading windows, insulation and tightly sealing their attics.

Rebates cap out at $2,500 for work that does not include attic sealing.

The rebate program has just $2.5 million available. The rebates will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Jeremy de Fiebre from of the Minnesota Office of Energy Security said he expects the money will go quickly.

"My guess is that it will go very quickly. I would not be surprised if it is fairly well gone in about a three week period."

Unlike the energy tax credits, to get the rebates homeowners must have work done by approved contractors. de Fiebre said there are a couple of reasons contractors are required to get the rebates.

"The intent of stimulus dollars is to create jobs and while we may get some jobs out of the materials that get put in on a do-it-yourself, we won't get the job impact that we would like. But also, the authorized contractors are ones that are trained on what the program requirements are."

Work done before October 1st does not qualify, nor does work on homes built after the year 2000.

For more information on the program, go to www.homeenergyresourcemn.org/.