Tax Refunds Can Mean Big Energy Savings

Leading Energy Provider urges taxpayers to “Think Green” with 2011 refund checks

Stamford, CT – March 16, 2011  - April 15th is around the corner and millions of Americans are scrambling to get their tax returns in order hoping for a refund.  For some organized, fortunate early filers, their refund checks may already be on the way.   As people decide what to do with those refund checks, at least one energy company is hoping they will “think green” with those dollars.

“It is not too late for people to take advantage of some great energy tax credits,” says Marjorie Kass, Managing Director of MXenergy, one of the nations leading independent energy providers.  “While some incentives did expire in 2010, there are still great incentives and credits available through 2011.  Taking advantage of those tax credits with refund dollars is really an opportunity to put that money to good use.”

Some tax credits still available include:

Tax Credit: 10% of cost up to $500 or a set amount between $50 and $300

• HVAC equipment, including circulating fans, boilers, furnaces and central air conditioners
• Metal and asphalt roofing
• Insulation
• Windows, doors and skylights (window credit is capped at $200)
• Non-solar water heaters

Tax Credit: 30% of cost with no upper limit

• Solar energy systems
• Geothermal heat pumps
• Small residential wind turbines

Another option, according to Kass, is to take a look at dated appliances in your home and consider replacing them with a new, more energy efficient model.  Refrigerators, water heaters and clothes washers and dryers are all large energy drains.  Make sure you choose an Energy Star model.

If you aren’t sure the most effective use for your refund dollars, Kass recommends a home energy audit.

“Home energy audits are a wonderful tool to let the homeowner see just where they are wasting the most energy and determine the best improvements which will yield the greatest results,” says Kass.  “Something as simple as a Home Energy Audit can literally save people hundreds of dollars each year.”

In order to educate people about the importance of energy efficiency and other environmental issues, MXenergy has created its own On Demand cable channel, MXenergyTV, or MXTV for short, which can be found on Cablevision iO Channel 654 in the Northeast United States.  The piece “Home Energy Check-up” is just one of many programs focused on energy efficiency and “green living.”

More information about home energy assessments can be found at the United States Department of Energy website (http://www.energysavers.gov/your_home/energy_audits/).  And an in-depth look at home energy audits can also be found on the MXTV archive at http://mxenergy.com/mxenergytv-video-archive.html.

###

About MXenergy

MXenergy is one of the fastest growing retail natural gas and electricity suppliers in North America, serving approximately 500,000 customers in 41 utility territories in the United States and Canada. For over 11 years, the company has provided millions of customers with a choice in how they purchase energy to run their homes and businesses.  Founded in 1999 to provide natural gas and electricity to consumers in deregulated energy markets, MXenergy helps residential customers and small business owners control their energy bills by providing both fixed and variable rate plans. MXenergy is committed to best practices in environmental conservation, supporting local communities through various outreach programs and is a member of the Chicago Climate Exchange.  For more information MXenergy please visit www.mxenergy.com.

CONTACTS:
Marjorie Kass (203) 356-1318 ext. 7801    
Managing Director        
mkass@mxenergy.com      

Laurel O'Connor (209) 782-7212
NorthStar Media Management LLC
laurel@northstarmediamanagement.com

Tags: