Office of
Energy Resources

QWhat is biomass?

ABiomass supplies about 9 percent of the total energy used in Idaho through waste products, such as forest and logging residue, municipal solid waste, agricultural residues, animal waste, and agricultural processing.

QDoes anyone in your office conduct audits on commercial buildings to help lower my energy costs?

ANo, the Office of Energy Resources funding doesn't cover our costs to do audits.

QDo you have guidelines for constructing a LEED qualified commercial building?

ANo, our focus is on energy efficiency.

QMy home is constantly cold and the furnace runs all the time. What should I do?

AContact a furnace dealer and have someone visit your home to inspect the furnace, heat ducts, and thermostat.

QWhat can I do to lower my utility bills in my home?

AThere are a lot of things you can do to lower your utility bills. Replace your incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs, install a programmable thermostat and lower your heat setting at night and when no one is home during the day. Turn off all electrical appliances, such as television sets and computers that are not being used. The Office of Energy Resources has a free handy tips booklet that you can request by calling the Idaho Energy Hotline at 1-800-334-SAVE.

QWhat is an Energy Star Home?

AAn Energy Star must meet guidelines for energy efficiency set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. These homes are at least 15 percent more energy efficient that homes built to the 2004 International Residential Code, and include additional energy-saving features that typically make them 20-30 percent more efficient than standard homes. Energy Star certified homes include effective insulation, high performance windows, tight construction and air ducts, and efficient heating and cooling equipment. They also may be equipped with Energy Star qualified products, such as lighting fixtures, compact fluorescent bulbs, ventilation fans and appliances. Find out more about Energy Star homes.

QHow do I find someone to build an Energy Star home for me?

A Contact a Home Performance Specialist. They can tell you about builders in your area.

QWhat home improvement projects can I finance with the low interest loan program?

AThe regular loan program finances Insulation, duct sealing and insulation, water heaters, furnaces, heat pumps, wood stove, and wood pellet stoves.

The home performance with energy star loan program finances air conditioners, home performance specialist fees and Energy Star windows in addition to the items listed above under the regular loan program.

QIf I filed for bankruptcy two years ago, can I still qualify for a loan?

AWe are unable to answer the question because the Office of Energy Resources does not make the credit decision. Your credit application will be analyzed by a financial institution you select from our list on the application. You must meet the bank's credit standards and demonstrate you have the ability and willingness to repay the loan. If your credit application is denied you cannot reapply with another lender from our list.

QAre there any grants, loan, tax credits available if I improve my home or install a solar system or wind turbine?

AGrants to improve your home are rare. Our office has a low interest loan program. The best place to look for tax credits is the www.dsireusa.org website which lists Idaho state tax deductions, and Federal tax credits. Be sure to check with your electric or gas utility for cash incentives. Some manufacturers offer rebates as well.

QWhat is an Energy Star manufactured home?

AAn Energy Star manufactured home is a home that has been built in a factory, it must meet guidelines for energy efficiency set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. These homes are at least 15 percent more energy efficient that homes built to the 2004 International Residential Code, and include additional energy-saving features that typically make them 20-30 percent more efficient than standard homes. Energy Star certified homes include effective insulation, high performance windows, tight construction and air ducts, and efficient heating and cooling equipment. They also may be equipped with Energy Star qualified products, such as lighting fixtures, compact fluorescent bulbs, ventilation fans and appliances. Find out more about manufactured housing.

QWhat is the advantage of buying an Energy Star manufactured home?

ATwenty to Thirty percent reduction in your utility costs.

QI'd like to build an energy-efficient home in Idaho. Who do I contact?

AContact a Home Performance Specialist. They can direct you to builders in your area that builds Energy Star homes.

QI am going to build a house in the country that's about two miles from the electric grid. What are my options for power?

ASolar electric (photovoltaics), small hydro and small wind may be potential power sources that may be less costly. The cost to extend power lines can easily exceed $30,000 per mile.

QHow do I determine if it's better to have solar power or a wind generator?

AFor solar, it is best to have full sun from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (No trees, buildings, walls etc. to block the sun's rays during these hours.)

To generate power with a turbine, steady, non-turbulent winds should be approximately 11 mph.

An Idaho alternative energy dealer is generally the best avenue for designing a system that works well at a reasonable cost.

QI'm tired of paying such high electric bills. How do I switch to solar?

AContact a solar dealer/installer and ask for a site assessment; a partial listing can be found here. The dealer will tell you whether or not your site is a good one for using solar will give you an approximate cost of the project, timelines for installation and other vital information. Solar is modular so you can add panels as you like without major re-wiring.

But before you invest in solar electric, be sure your home is as energy-efficient as possible. It makes little sense to invest heavily in solar panels if your home is poorly insulated or has other major energy losses.

QAre there any grants or loans to install solar on my home?

AThere are no grants from the state, but it does have a low-interest loan program. See www.dsireusa.org. Click on Idaho map and scroll down to State Loan Program.

QI'm building a new home and want to add solar. Are they any state or federal tax incentives to help me?

ABoth solar electric and solar water heating qualify. For federal tax credits, see www.dsireusa.org and click on the small US map in the middle of the page.

The Idaho tax deductions are also at www.dsireusa.org. Click on the Gem State map and scroll down to Personal deduction, alternative energy tax deductions. Normally, the Idaho Tax Commission allows these deductions on the primary residence only.

QI want to install a wind turbine to produce electricity for my home. Will it qualify for a loan?

AWind turbines are eligible for low interest loans, however these projects currently are unable to meet the required 15 year simple payback criteria. If your goal is to lower your electric utility bill, energy efficiency projects such as insulation, geothermal heat pumps and energy star windows and appliances are probably a more cost effective solution.