We’ve all “heard” about green rebates, but what about turning those mutterings into cold, hard cash?

Evidently, there’s more than $4 billion in eco-rebates out there, just sitting on some contractor or retailer’s shelf – in your zip code, under your nose, literally at your fingertips. According to a 2011 survey from Harris Interactive, only 13% of homeowners make home improvements that allow them to take advantage of these billions. More than 60% of Americans are completely in the dark that they even exist. Ironic, considering that all utility payers (renters, too) pay into these rebate programs via those Delphian surcharges.

Thankfully our intrepid reporting has led us to a free, easy, user-friendly service with a cute interface called Save Big Bread. It’s the Kayak of the home improvement industry with a two-pronged green approach:

1. Customers can save lots of green from their searchable database.

2. Contractors and manufacturers are authorized to provide energy-efficient, rebate-heavy products and services that are beneficial for our planet’s well-being.

Homeowners in the market for prohibitively expensive home improvement items (furnaces, windows, air-conditioning units, solar panels) can get a quote from SaveBigBread linking to state, utility and manufacture programs offering green rebates.

At this point you might be rolling your eyes to the tune of rebates, shmeebates. But we’re not talking $5 off a $78 Very Sexy ® push-up from Victoria’s Secret. These rebates can equate to significant savings worth thousands of dollars.

As a rule, rebates are not as sexy as the Very Sexy ® bra. That’s the fault of bad copywriting.

“These rebates are a mirage,” explains Tony Maull, founder and President of Save Big Bread. “The way they’ve been marketed these programs are not consumer friendly.”

Save Big Bread is about transparency and access to attainable, digestible information.

“What we’ve done is taken on the burden of going into the program sites and structuring that information. We rationalize it and let the consumer choose…the savings, and the people who can do the work authorized by the program.”

They will even help you with the paperwork, ensuring that the rebate materializes not as concept but as actual, spendable cash. Victoria’s Secret is not going to give you that kind of boost.

Image: Installation of the Toncelli Eurocucina at the 2012 International Kitchen Furniture Exhibition in Milan

The post An Energy Efficient Way To Boost Your Green Rebates appeared first on EcoSalon.

Did you know that greening up your home can earn you green? Whether through government subsidies or company rebates, you can get cash back for your environmental efforts in a number of ways.

If you haven’t already switched from incandescent lighting to compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs, now is the time. At many stores, you’ll receive an instant rebate for your purchase. Translation: the rebate is already factored into the cost, which means you don’t have to fill out any forms and wait for reimbursement. And because CFLs last longer and use less energy than incandescent bulbs, you’ll save on your power bill, too.

Install a solar water heating system that meets the requirements of the Solar Rating Certification Corporation to receive a 30% federal tax credit. This credit goes towards labor of installation as well as the cost of the system.

Replace old appliances with those that are energy efficient and receive significant rebates on qualified products like washers and refrigerators. If you purchase these products from Sears, their Blue Appliance Crew will help you file your rebates online right in the store. Just make sure to recycle your old appliances when the new ones arrive.

Add insulation to your home and receive a federal tax credit for 30% of material costs.

Did you know that you waste approximately five gallons of water every time you flush the toilet? If you aren’t up for living by the “if it’s yellow, let it mellow” rule, just install a low-flow toilet. A lot of local utility services offer a rebate to replace your toilet with a high-efficiency alternative.

To find out where you can receive rebates on green appliances and products in your area, visit Green Made Simple. Check out Energy Star’s comprehensive list of federal tax credits for energy efficient home improvements.

Image: stopnlook

The post 5 Ways to Get Cash Back by Greening Your Home appeared first on EcoSalon.