Massive Tax Abatements for Eligible Residential Buildings
The City of Cincinnati offers property tax abatements for residential buildings constructed or renovated that meet LEED certification standards. The incentive is available for any building within city limits and does not require a demonstration of financial need. The residential designation applies to structures with up to three units, including condominiums, while residential structures with four or more units are classified as commercial buildings. The tax abatement rules are as follows: residential buildings - 100% property tax abatement for 15 years (new construction) or 10 years (existing building retrofits); maximum improved value of $500,000, except if structure achieves LEED Platinum certification, in which case there is no value limitation. Market improved value limit will increase by 3% each year beginning in 2009. Contact: City of Cincinnati; 513-591-6000; http://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/cdap/pages/-16936-/

$1250 in Rebates for the Installation of Energy Efficient Improvements
The Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company offers rebates for the installation of certain energy efficiency improvements to its residential customers under the Home Performance with Energy Star Program. Interested customers must first have a Home Performance Assessment performed by a participating Building Analyst certified contractor. Following the assessment the homeowner decides which efficiency options should be pursued based on the contractor's recommendation and signs a contract for the installation of the approved measures. Rebates are available for a variety of possible improvements. Rebate levels vary by the measure employed and the total lifetime rebate may not exceed a maximum of $1,250 per customer. Cleveland Electric also offers a $125 co-payment for home assessment fees. Energy Star appliances purchased directly from a retail store within 3 months of a Home Assessment are eligible for rebates with appropriate documentation. Contact: Program Information, FirstEnergy - Home Performance with Energy Star, 1650 West Market Street, Akron, OH 44313; 866-728-3594; http://www.firstenergyhomeperformance.com/

Rebates to $600 for Purchase and Installation of Energy Efficient Equipment
Duke Energy offers their Ohio residential customers Smart Saver incentives for the purchase and installation of furnaces, geothermal heat pumps, air source heat pumps, and air conditioning units. Rebates are: heat pumps retrofit - $200, new construction - $300; air conditioners retrofit - $200, new construction - $300; geothermal heat pumps retrofit - $200, new construction - $300; gas furnace retrofit - $200, new construction - $300; and new furnace combined with a new A/C or heat pump retrofit - $400, new construction - $600. Duke Energy gas customers must also receive their electric service from Duke Energy to be eligible for Smart Saver incentives. The Smart Saver incentive for retrofit projects goes directly to the homeowner; the Smart Saver new home rebates are designed to go to the builder. The incentive may however be assigned to the homeowner with the builder's approval. Contact: Customer Service, Duke Energy - Smart $aver Residential Rebate Program, 431 Charmany Dr., Madison, WI 53719; 866-785-6209; Fax: 866-908-4921; http://www.duke-energy.com/ohio/savings/smart-saver.asp

Rebates to $1250 in Energy Star Rebate Program
Ohio Edison offers rebates for the installation of certain energy efficiency improvements to its residential customers under the Home Performance with Energy Star Program. Interested customers must first have a Home Performance Assessment performed by a participating Building Analyst certified contractor, then the homeowner decides which efficiency options should be pursued based on the contractor's recommendation and signs a contract for the installation of the approved measures. Rebates are available for a variety of possible improvements which may be identified in a home assessment. Rebate levels vary by the measure employed and the total lifetime rebate may not exceed a maximum of $1,250 per customer. Ohio Edison also offers a $125 co-payment for home assessment fees. Energy Star appliances purchased directly from a retail store within 3 months of a Home Assessment are eligible for rebates with appropriate documentation. Contact: Program Information, FirstEnergy - Home Performance with Energy Star, 1650 West Market Street, Akron, OH 44313; 866-728-3594; http://www.firstenergyhomeperformance.com/

Rebates on Offer for Heat Pumps
Paulding-Putnam Electric Cooperative offers rebates for heat pumps for its residential customers. Customers who purchase an electric add-on heat pump are eligible for a $400 rebate while customers who purchase a geothermal heat pump are eligible for a $600 rebate. For the geothermal heat pump system, the customer must consent to having a load management switch installed by Paulding-Putnam EC to be eligible for the rebate. Contact: Paulding-Putnam Electric Cooperative, Inc., 910 N. Williams, Paulding, OH 45879-1072; 419-399-5015; Fax: (419) 399-3026; http://www.ppec.coop/

$599 Incentive to Install Dual Fuel Heating System
The Energy Cooperative offers an incentive to its residential customers for installing a Dual Fuel Heating System in their homes. A Dual Fuel Heating Systems consists of an electric heat pump and a gas or oil furnace which will automatically switch to increase efficiency depending on the outside temperature. Customers should contact the Energy Cooperative and fill out the necessary forms prior to the installation of the new system. Upon inspection by The Energy Cooperative, a rebate check for $599 will be sent to the customer. Contact: The Energy Cooperative, 1500 Granville Rd, P.O. Box 4970, Newark, OH 43058; 800-255-6815; http://www.theenergycoop.com/duelfuel.aspx