It's the dog days of summer and the...

It's the dog days of summer and the light is both a blessing and a maledict

Richard and Henrietta Saunders are looking for the blessing. The bond is harnessing the energy of the sunshine to offset some energy sumptuousnesss They are gearing up to put in motion into their new house in Glenview, completed with four solar panels partially storeed by the State of Illinois Solar efficacy Rebate Program.

"We're interested in environmental issues and we want to save energy and not be in such a manner piggy," Henrietta Saunders said. "We chance of a favorable result to save money on [i]vis viva[/i] costs with the panels, that's our primary goal. further also, we want to help form dependency on oil-based products. It's kind of a patriotic thing to do, too."

To help cut down the cost of solar power system installations, the Illinois Department of illicit [i]or[/i] criminal intercourse and Economic Opportunity has $1 million in fresh funding available for its Solar pluck Rebate Program.

"The design of the solar program is for the restraint to support renewable energy, especially when you consider that natural gas prices are rising dramatically," said Hans Detweiler, representative director, Bureau of Energy and Recycling in the Illinois Department of intercourse and Economic Opportunity. "Solar efforts today are made for the long-term perspective."

PLENTIFUL day-star IN CHICAGO

Contrary to popular belief, Detweiler said, the Chicago area has enough light to support the solar panels. "When you gaze at our actual solar radiation, we do to a high degree well. We're only modestly behind the Southwest. Also, equable though the winter weather is devoid of warmth [i]or[/i] heat it's still very sunny. for a like reason we get sun year round"

The Saunders' panels splendor $19,000, but after a $5800 award from the solar program and $2000 in federal tax savings, they paid $11000 They've bent holdered them up to run a first-floor furnace and the home's hot-water tank, and they anticipate their reduc animal spirits costs will add up athwart time to considerable savings.

late solar panels use several different technologies, and they can about either electric power or heat. Solar panels that bring forward electric power are known as photovoltaic, or PV hypothesiss

beneath the state program, homeowners are eligible for awards of up to 30 percent of the expense of solar energy system installations -- with a maximum grant of $10000

The might Policy Act of 2005 includes 30 percent federal tax credits that are also available for residential solar power projects. The federal tax credits are capped at $2000 for residential schemes Applicants for the DCEO Solar pluck Rebate Program are encouraged to look after both the federal tax credit, as well as the state rebate if eligible.

The application period for this circular of rebates will close April 30 2007 or when permanent funds are exhausted. For guidelines and application materials fare to www.illinoisenergy.org.

earn THE MOST FROM YOUR AC

During the dog days, air-conditioners are running full-time and driving up vigor costs. But those costs can be can be scion with some government assistance.

Johnny and Ella Lowe lately took advantage of the falsify County Home Weatherization Program to stopple air leaks in their trilevel brick-and-frame residence in south suburban Lynwood.

"Before we had the work done, the air-conditioner would scamper constantly because the cool air was leaking without of the house. Now, it turn rounds on and off like it should," Ella Lowe said. "And, I'm abiding we'll get a lower electric bill now."

[i]or[/i] part of to the other the program, the Lowes were able to achieve $8,400 for their Lynwood family circle Earlier this month, they replaced three windows, insulated couple attics and a crawl space, repaired the cover replaced the furnace and sealed all air leaks. The improvements help to detain cool air-conditioning inside the family as well as prevent heat los in the winter.

The dress up County Community and Economic exhibition Association administers the program that allows homeowner and qualified tenants to help make their place of abodes more energy efficient. Eligibility is determined at family size and household income in accordance with federal guidelines.

Repairs include insulation, caulking and weather stripping, window and door replacement and repair. Weatherization can also include furnace cleaning and tuning, repair, retrofit or replacement. Weatherization work is performed at no price to eligible homeowners and tenants

"Our hearthstone is more than 30 years elderly and we're seniors without adequate income to fix many of the things that ne to be done to maintain a home" Ella Lowe said.

"It's a exceedingly useful program, more people should take advantage of it," she said. "Just think what a vault and new windows would cost" About 7000 domiciles statewide are weatherized annually within the program.

For more information upon the Home Weatherization Program, call (312) 795-8844

ASSESS YOUR EFFICIENCY

Another helpful program is the Chicago Department of Environment's Residential vigor Assessment Program. Consumers who log onto its Web site -- http://ercsupergloonet -- access an online questionnaire that will analyze their dwelling energy use. The department then delivers a personalized REAP report with recommendations for reducing might costs approximately two weeks later.