Cut the electric bill with sunshine

Last Edited: Wednesday, 21 Mar 2007, 11:34 PM EDT
Created: Wednesday, 21 Mar 2007, 7:07 PM EDT

Progress Energy will start offering rebates to people who use solar power. We've got you covered



ST. PETERSBURG - Progress Energy is unveiling a new incentive to cut power bills. They will use Florida sunshine to brighten your budget.

Progress customer Colleen Clark was paying big bucks to heat her pool.

So she installed a solar heater to try to absorb some of that expense.

She ended up saving $1200 a year on her electric bill.

Now she wants to save even more, using the sun to heat the water in her house as well.

“With all the incentives going on, especially Progress Energy’s new credit incentive, that got me excited,” Clark said.

Colleen is getting a $450 rebate from Progress Energy, and another $500 from the EPA to install solar panels.

“It will heat the water in the panel, and send that water into the water heater’s tank, then as you turn your faucet in the kitchen or you turn on your shower, that hot water comes into your home,” said Progress spokeswoman Cherie Jacobs.

More good news: you can use your old water heater, and get a federal tax credit, up to $2,000.

But the set up will initially cost about $4,500.

It’s a lot of money, but some say it is an investment that is too hot to pass up.

“It can help you save money, and it can help save energy for the whole state,” Jacobs said.

Those savings could add up, considering consumers like Colleen Clark plan on cutting their monthly hot water bills in half.

“You are helping your pocket book, and you are getting a nice warm fuzzy feeling you’re helping out Mother Earth,” Clark said.