SRP Rebates Update!

About a month ago SRP sent out a flier that stated the SRP rebates were expiring on April 30, 2012.  During these past couple weeks we have seen a flurry of calls from customers concerned that SRP was ending their shade screen rebate program.  I have never seen consumers so concerned about their summer utility bills and so motivated to do something about it as this past April.  I have been in homes that desperately need properly installed insulation, have severely leaking ductwork that is causing lots of dust and allergens but still homeowners stubbornly would not do anything about it even with killer rebates from APS and SRP.  What a great motivator for homeowners this has been.   Well, all can relax as SRP has extended their rebate program through 2013! 

https://www.srpnet.com/energy/powerwise/savewithsrp/Shadescreens.aspx

Surprisingly in Arizona, it is the windows that account for the most heat gain in homes…  not your attic or leaky ductwork.  The windows are always a weak spot no matter if you have 4 panes of glass filled with argon gas, it is still transparent glass.  Many homeowners also do not know that sun screens are still effective on low-e windows.  A low-e coating helps to block the radiant heat, but not the conductive and convective heat.  A sun screen will help block the convective and conductive heat, up to 90% of solar heat gain. 

Privacy screens can be installed with clips either drilled into the frame or outside wall, but most commonly the frame of the existing window.   Be careful though, often shade screens will void the warranty of a high end low-e window much the same as a radiant barrier under the shingles will void the warranty of a new roof.  Often the shade screen frame will match the frame color of your existing window and bronze or brown colors are the most popular.  Privacy screens are all customized and can be made to fit almost any window including circular shades, arches, and orthogonal geometries (just kidding).

Both APS and SRP have great rebate programs for installing shade screens.  APS will pay $1 per sq ft up to $250 for installing sun screens on all east, west and south facing windows.  SRP will pay $0.80 per sq ft up to 250 for installing sun screens on all east, west and south facing windows.   Both APS and SRP rebates on shade screens are including in the home energy audit program too.

So you can beat the heat this summer by having shade screens installed on your home!