I live in a 1,600 square foot single level ranch-style home. It was built in the late 1970s and all of the ceilings are 8-foot except for the living- room, which has a vaulted ceiling.
When I bought the old place I spent thousands of dollars in an attempt to make it energy efficient. I replaced the single pane windows with dual panes and weatherized it to keep the winter drafts from coming in.
I had the attic insulated to R30 and the old heating and air system was completely replaced, ducts and all.
I chose function over aesthetics by installing an extra efficient country wood stove insert into the opening of the old rock fireplace. I almost cried when they cut out the old flu. My home is heated entirely with wood, and the new $13,000 furnace has never been turned on.
In the summer the air conditioning is used probably two months out of the season. An irrigation pump from my pond runs a minimum of an hour per day from June to August.
The irrigating creates more maintenance but it keeps things cooler.
The spa is a new efficient Sundance model that runs on an energy-saving timer. The endless pool is heated with propane. The filter and circulating pump run on a timer.
Having said all of this, my average monthly PG&E bill still runs approximately $360 per month. That doesn’t include the cost of propane or firewood.
The PG&E rate continues to increase by an average of 4 to 4 1/2 percent per year. Try as I might, I can’t seem to get my PG&E bill down.
I have considered solar as an alternative energy source over the last five years or so. My first bid was $100,000. My last bid was $65,000. I kept doing the math and kept coming up with the same conclusion — it’s cheaper to pay the PG&E bill.
I considered financing a solar system over 20-plus years. If I sold and moved in three to five years, the new buyers would have the benefit of being PG&E free and I would still be paying for it.
The solar guys insisted that it would be worth it because I would get my money back in the sale because of the increased value of my home. I wasn’t convinced.
Last week I read a notice in the Journal saying Placer County has a new financing program for property owners. I was really excited about it so I attended this week’s meeting.
Placer County Treasurer, Jenine Windeshausen, along with her lovely assistants, gave a very informative PowerPoint presentation. Details, including how to apply for the financing, can be found online.
The program known as Placer mPOWER allows Placer County homeowners to apply for financing for water and energy efficiency improvements as well as power generation improvements like solar photovoltaic and other alternative energy generation systems.
The financing can be used for a number of improvements, including but not limited to, tank-less water heaters, smart irrigation systems, whole house fans, heating and air systems, duct replacement, dual pane windows, doors, skylights, attic fans and even lighting.
The financing is extended to commercial, residential, industrial and agricultural properties.
A Placer County property owner is allowed to apply to finance more than one property. For example, I own an industrial building that I lease out. Under the program I can apply to finance a solar system and charge the tenant for power as part of the lease agreement.
The financed debt is on the property tax bill. I love it. It’s payable twice a year at a current rate of 7.25 percent.
The financing term is based on the useful life of the improvement, five, 10, 15 or 20 years. A list of financing qualifications and financing terms can be found on line.
If one finances a water system with a five-year life span the financing is for five years. If one finances a solar system that has a projected 20-year life span the financing is for 20 years — very smart.
If I decide to sell and move on the debt stays with the property. The unpaid amount stays on the property tax bill and the new owner assumes payment of the balance on the property tax bill each year. That makes perfect sense to me.
I am very proud of the fact that Placer County is the second county after Sonoma to initiate this program.
Furthermore, as a resident, I really appreciate the economic boost while gaining energy independence. Placer mPOWER’s motto — Save money. Conserve Energy. Create Jobs.
It’s a matter of good Home $$$s and Sense.
Sue Thompson is owner and sales manager of HomeTown Realtors in Auburn. She can be reached at seesue@seehometown.com, or on the Web at homedollarsandsense.com.
