DSIRE: Incentives/Policies by State: New Hampshire: Incentives/Policies for Renewables & Efficiency

DSIRE: Incentives/Policies by State: New Hampshire: Incentives/Policies for Renewables & Efficiency: "New Hampshire
New Hampshire
Incentives/Policies for Renewables & Efficiency
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See Residential Incentives Only

Financial Incentives Local Loan Program

* New Generation Energy - Community Food Service Efficiency Lending Program
* New Generation Energy - Community Solar Lending Program

Property Tax Exemption

* Local Option - Property Tax Exemption for Renewable Energy

State Loan Program

* NH BFA - Business Energy Conservation Revolving Loan Fund
* Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Business Loan

State Rebate Program

* Renewable Energy Rebate Program

Utility Grant Program

* New Hampshire Electric Co-Op - Low-Income Energy Assistance Grant Program
* PSNH - Energy Rewards RFP Program

Utility Loan Program

* New Hampshire Electric Co-Op - SmartSTART Energy Efficiency Loan Program
* PSNH - Municipal Smart Start Program

Utility Rebate Program

* National Grid (Gas) - Solar Thermal Rebate Program
* National Grid - Commercial (Gas) Energy Efficiency Programs
* National Grid - Residential (Electric) Energy Efficiency Rebate Programs
* National Grid - Residential (Gas) Energy Efficiency Rebate Program
* National Grid – Commercial (Electric) Energy Efficiency Incentive Programs
* National Grid – Small/Mid-Sized Business Energy Efficiency Program
* New Hampshire Electric Co-Op - Large Business Energy Solutions
* New Hampshire Electric Co-Op - New Equipment and Construction Program
* New Hampshire Electric Co-Op - Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Programs
* New Hampshire Electric Co-Op - Small Business Energy Solutions
* New Hampshire Electric Co-Op - Solar and Wind Energy Rebate Program
* Northern Utilities - Commercial Energy Efficiency Programs
* Northern Utilities - Residential Energy Efficiency Programs
* PSNH - Large Commercial and Industrial Energy Efficiency Rebate Program
* PSNH - Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program
* PSNH - Small Business Retrofit Program
* Unitil - Commercial and Industrial Energy Efficiency Programs
* Unitil - Residential Energy Efficiency Programs



Rules, Regulations & Policies Building Energy Code

* New Hampshire Building Energy Code
* Town of Epping - Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Design Requirement

Energy Standards for Public Buildings

* Energy Efficiency Standards for State Government Buildings

Interconnection

* Interconnection Standards

Net Metering

* New Hampshire - Net Metering

Public Benefits Fund

* System Benefits Charge

Renewables Portfolio Standard

* Renewables Portfolio Standard

Solar Access Law/Guideline

* Solar Easements




Related Programs & Initiatives Alternative Fuels and Advanced Vehicles Data Center
The U.S. Department of Energy's Alternative Fuels and Advanced Vehicles Data Center (AFDC) provides a wide range of information and resources to enable the use of alternative fuels and other petroleum-reduction options, such as advanced vehicles, fuel blends, idle reduction and fuel economy. The AFDC site offers a database of state and federal laws and incentives related to alternative fuels and vehicles, air quality, fuel efficiency, and other transportation-related topics.

Green Power Network
The U.S. Department of Energy's Green Power Network provides news and information on green power markets and activities, including opportunities to buy green power. This site provides state-by-state information on green power marketing and utility green power programs. In addition, the site lists marketers of renewable energy credits (RECs), also known as green tags or renewable energy certificates, which represent the environmental attributes of the power produced from renewable energy projects.

Weatherization Assistance Program
The U.S. Department of Energy's Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) enables low-income families to reduce their energy bills by making their homes more energy-efficient. Through this program, weatherization service providers install energy-efficiency measures in the homes of qualifying homeowners free of charge. The WAP program web site offers a state-by-state map of opportunities, projects and activities.

Wind Powering America
The U.S. Department of Energy's Wind Powering America site provides state-by-state information on wind projects and activities, including wind working groups, validated wind maps, anemometer loan programs, small wind guides, state-specific news, wind for schools, workshops and web casts."

Insulation Materials and Temperature Ranges

Insulation Materials and Temperature Ranges: "Temperature limits of some common insulation materials are indicated in the table below:
Insulation Material Low Temperature Range High Temperature Range
(oC) (oF) (oC) (oF)
Calcium Silicate -18 0 650 1200
Cellular Glass -260 -450 480 900
Elastomeric foam -55 -70 120 250
Fiberglass -30 -20 540 1000
Mineral Wool 0 32 1000 1800
Phenolic foam 150 300
Polyisocyanurate or polyiso -180 -290 150 300
Polystyrene -50 -60 75 165
Polyurethane -210 -350 120 250
Calcium Silicate Insulation

Non-asbestos Calcium Silicate insulation board and pipe insulation feature with light weight, low thermal conductivity, high temperature and chemical resistance.

* Calcium Silicate thermal conductivity

Cellular Glass Insulation

Cellular glass insulation is composed of crushed glass combined with a cellulating agent.

These components are mixed, placed in a mold, and then heated to a temperature of approximately 950 oF. During the heating process, the crushed glass turns to a liquid. Decomposition of the cellulating agent will cause the mixture to expand and fill the mold. The mixture creates millions of connected, uniform, closed-cells and form at the end a rigid insulating material.
Cellulose Insulation

Cellulose is made from shredded recycled paper, such as newsprint or cardboard. It's treated with chemicals to make it fire- and insect-resistant, and is applied as loose-fill or wet-sprayed through a machine.
Fiberglass Insulation

Fiberglass is the most common type of insulation. It's made from molten glass spun into microfibers.
Mineral Wool Insulation

Mineral wool is made from molten glass, stone or slag that is spun into a fiber-like structure. Inorganic rock or slag are the main components (typically 98%) of stone wool. The remaining 2% organic content is generally a thermosetting resin binder (an adhesive) and a little oil.
Polyurethane insulation

Polyurethane is an organic polymer formed by reacting a polyol (an alcohol with more than two reactive hydroxyl groups per molecule) with a diisocyanate or a polymeric isocyanate in the presence of suitable catalysts and additives.

Polyurethanes are flexible foams used in mattresses, chemical-resistant coatings, adhesives and sealants, insulation for buildings and technical applications like heat exchangers, cooling pipes and much more.
Polystyrene Insulation

Polystyrene is an excellent insulator. It is manufactured in two ways:

* Extrusion - which results in fine, closed cells, containing a mixture of air and refrigerant gas
* Molded or expanded - which produces coarse, closed cells containing air

Extruded polystyrene, or XPS, is a closed-cell, thermal plastic material manufactured by a variety of extrusion processes. The main applications of extruded polystyrene insulation are in building insulation and construction in general.

Molded or expanded polystyrene is commonly called beadboard and has a lower R-value than extruded polystyrene.
Polyisocyanurate Insulation

Polyisocyanurate or polyiso is a thermosetting type of plastic, closed-cell foam that contains a low-conductivity gas (usually hydrochlorofluorocarbons or HCFC) in its cells.

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Related Topics

* Insulation Heat transfer and heat loss from buildings and technical applications - insulation methods and coefficients to reduce energy consumption
* Heat Loss and Insulation Heat loss from pipes, tubes and tanks - with and without insulation - foam, fiberglass, rockwool and more
* Heat Loss and Insulation Steam and condensate pipes - heat loss uninsulated and insulated pipes, insulation thickness and more

Related Documents

* Pipes and Tubes - Recommended Insulation Thickness Insulation thickness of heating systems - hot water - low, medium and high pressure steam - systems
* Copper Pipes - Insulation and Heat Loss Heat loss to surrounding air from insulated copper tubes
* Conductive Heat Transfer Heat transfer takes place as conduction if there is a temperature gradient in a solid or fluid
* Thermal Conductivity of some common Materials Thermal conductivity of some common materials - aluminum, asphalt, brass, copper, steel and many more ..
* Clo - Clothing and Thermal Insulation Clo is used to measure the thermal insulation of clothes
* Mineral Wool Insulation Thermal conductivity - Temperature and k-values
* Insulation of Cooling Systems Insulation thickness of cooling systems
* Calcium Silicate Insulation Thermal conductivity - temperature and k-values
* Fiberglass Insulation Thermal conductivity - temperature and k-values
* Perlite Insulation Thermal conductivity - temperature and k-values
* Polyurethane Insulation Thermal conductivity - temperature and k-values"

UNH campus now powered by landfill gas from Rochester - Fosters

UNH campus now powered by landfill gas from Rochester - Fosters

The methane travels 12.7 miles underground from a processing plant at the Turnkey Landfill in Rochester to the campus. It ends up inside UNH's co-generation plant, replacing natural gas.

Ball State to launch whole-campus geothermal system | IndyStar.com | The Indianapolis Star

Ball State to launch whole-campus geothermal system | IndyStar.com | The Indianapolis Star: "Imagine heating and cooling an entire university campus, not by coal or natural gas, but by the earth itself.

That's the essence of Ball State University's new geothermal system. When completed, it will be the largest of its kind in the country."

Department of Energy - Additional Tax Breaks

Department of Energy - Additional Tax Breaks

DOE to Invest up to $12 Million to Support Development of Advanced Water Power Technologies

DOE to Invest up to $12 Million to Support Development of Advanced Water Power Technologies

Green Neighborhood Still Going Strong - New Hampshire News Story - WMUR Manchester

Green Neighborhood Still Going Strong - New Hampshire News Story - WMUR Manchester

Installing geothermal heat pumps | MNN - Mother Nature Network

Installing geothermal heat pumps | MNN - Mother Nature Network

Installing your own small, remote off-grid solar system by Jeffrey Yago, P.E., CEM Issue #116

Installing your own small, remote off-grid solar system by Jeffrey Yago, P.E., CEM Issue #116

This article makes some good points about installing a DC power system in your home.

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UnionLeader.com - New Hampshire news, business and sports - Segway, GM roll out 'smart' vehicle - Wednesday, Apr. 8, 2009

UnionLeader.com - New Hampshire news, business and sports - Segway, GM roll out 'smart' vehicle - Wednesday, Apr. 8, 2009

DSIRE: Incentives by State: Incentives in Federal

SOURCE: DSIRE: Incentives by State: Incentives in Federal

Business Energy Investment Tax Credit (ITC)

Last DSIRE Review: 02/18/2009

Incentive Type: Corporate Tax Credit Eligible Renewable/Other Technologies: Solar Water Heat, Solar Space Heat, Solar Thermal Electric, Solar Thermal Process Heat, Photovoltaics, Wind, Biomass, Geothermal Electric, Fuel Cells, Geothermal Heat Pumps, CHP/Cogeneration, Solar Hybrid Lighting, Direct Use Geothermal, Microturbines Applicable Sectors: Commercial, Industrial, Utility Amount: 30% for solar, fuel cells and small wind; 10% for geothermal, microturbines and CHP Maximum Incentive: Fuel cells: $1,500 per 0.5 kW Microturbines: $200 per kW Small wind turbines placed in service 10/4/08 - 12/31/08: $4,000 Small wind turbines placed in service after 12/31/08: no limit All other eligible technologies: no limit Eligible System Size: Small wind turbines: 100 kW or less Fuel cells: 0.5 kW or greater Microturbines: 2 MW or less CHP: 50 MW or less Equipment/Installation Requirements: Fuel cells, microturbines and CHP systems must meet specific energy-efficiency criteria Authority 1: 26 USC § 48 Authority 2: H.R. 1424: Div. B (The Energy Improvement and Extension Act of 2008) Date Enacted: 10/3/2008 Effective Date: 10/3/2008 Authority 3: H.R. 1: Div. B, Sec. 1103 (The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009) Date Enacted: 2/17/2009 Effective Date: 1/1/2009

Summary: Note: The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (H.R. 1) allows taxpayers eligible for the federal renewable electricity production tax credit (PTC) to take the federal business energy investment tax credit (ITC) or to receive a grant from the U.S. Treasury Department instead of taking the PTC for new installations. The new law also allows taxpayers eligible for the business ITC to receive a grant from the U.S. Treasury Department instead of taking the business ITC for new installations. The federal business energy investment tax credit available under 26 USC § 48 was expanded significantly by the Energy Improvement and Extension Act of 2008 (H.R. 1424), enacted in October 2008. This law extended the duration -- by eight years -- of the existing credits for solar energy, fuel cells and microturbines; increased the credit amount for fuel cells; established new credits for small wind-energy systems, geothermal heat pumps, and combined heat and power (CHP) systems; extended eligibility for the credits to utilities; and allowed taxpayers to take the credit against the alternative minimum tax (AMT), subject to certain limitations. The credit was further expanded by The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, enacted in February 2009. In general, credits are available for eligible systems placed in service on or before December 31, 2016:* Solar. The credit is equal to 30% of expenditures, with no maximum credit limit stated. Eligible solar energy property includes equipment that uses solar energy to generate electricity, to heat or cool (or provide hot water for use in) a structure, or to provide solar process heat. (Passive solar systems and solar pool-heating systems are not eligible.) Hybrid solar lighting systems are those that use solar energy to illuminate the inside of a structure using fiber-optic distributed sunlight. Click here for a four-page Q&A on federal solar tax incentives, prepared by the Solar Energy Industries Association. (Note that this document was published in October 2008.) Fuel Cells. The credit is equal to 30% of expenditures, with no maximum credit limit. The credit for fuel cells is capped at $1,500 per 0.5 kilowatt (kW) of capacity. Eligible property includes fuel cells with a minimum capacity of 0.5 kW that have an electricity-only generation efficiency of 30% or higher. (Note that the credit for property placed in service before October 4, 2008, is capped at $500 per 0.5 kW.) Small Wind Turbines. The credit is equal to 30% of expenditures, with no maximum credit limit for small wind turbines placed in service after December 31, 2008. Eligible small wind property includes wind turbines up to 100 kW in capacity. (In general, the maximum credit is $4,000 for eligible property placed in service after October 3, 2008, and before January 1, 2009. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 removed the $4,000 maximum credit limit for small wind turbines.) Geothermal Systems. The credit is equal to 10% of expenditures, with no maximum credit limit stated. Eligible geothermal energy property includes geothermal heat pumps and equipment used to produce, distribute or use energy derived from a geothermal deposit. For electricity produced by geothermal power, equipment qualifies only up to, but not including, the electric transmission stage. For geothermal heat pumps, this credit applies to eligible property placed in service after October 3, 2008. Microturbines. The credit is equal to 10% of expenditures, with no maximum credit limit stated (explicitly). The credit for microturbines is capped at $200 per kW of capacity. Eligible property includes microturbines up to two megawatts (MW) in capacity that have an electricity-only generation efficiency of 26% or higher. Combined Heat and Power (CHP). The credit is equal to 10% of expenditures, with no maximum limit stated. Eligible CHP property generally includes systems up to 50 MW in capacity that exceed 60% energy efficiency, subject to certain limitations and reductions for large systems. The efficiency requirement does not apply to CHP systems that use biomass for at least 90% of the system's energy source, but the credit may be reduced for less-efficient systems. This credit applies to eligible property placed in service after October 3, 2008. In general, the original use of the equipment must begin with the taxpayer, or the system must be constructed by the taxpayer. The equipment must also meet any performance and quality standards in effect at the time the equipment is acquired. The energy property must be operational in the year in which the credit is first taken. Significantly, The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 repealed a previous limitation on the use of the credit for eligible projects also supported by "subsidized energy financing." For projects placed in service after December 31, 2008, this limitation no longer applies. Businesses who receive other incentives are advised to consult with a tax professional regarding how to calculate this federal tax credit. History The federal Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct 2005) expanded the existing federal business energy tax credit for solar and geothermal energy property to include fuel cells, microturbines and hybrid solar lighting systems installed on or after January 1, 2006, and raised the credit for solar to 30%. Prior to the provisions of EPAct 2005, a 10% credit was available to businesses that invested in or purchased solar or geothermal energy property. * Note that the credit for geothermal property, with the exception of geothermal heat pumps, has no stated expiration date. The credit for solar energy property reverts to 10% after December 31, 2016.

Contact: Public Information - IRS Internal Revenue Service 1111 Constitution Avenue, N.W. Washington, DC 20224 Phone: (800) 829-1040 Web site: http://www.irs.gov

DSIRE: Incentives by State: Incentives in Federal

DSIRE: Incentives by State: Incentives in New Hampshire

DSIRE: Incentives by State: Incentives in New Hampshire

Summary:

The New Hampshire Business Resource Center and Ocean National Bank have partnered to offer the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Business Loan Program, which provides low-interest loans to small businesses to purchase structural and equipment improvements that reduce energy consumption. A variety of energy efficiency measures and renewable energy systems are eligible for financing. This program targets loan amounts of $10,000 or more, with a maximum term of seven years. The interest rate is the prime rate minus 1%. Participants use energy cost savings to repay the loan. Eligible projects include energy-efficient lighting, variable frequency drives, premium efficient motors, energy-efficient HVAC systems and chillers, air compressors, energy-efficient dry-type transformers, custom energy-efficiency measures, and renewable-energy systems.

ICF vs Wood Frame

GreenBuildingTalk - ICF

Cost of ICF Construction vs. Wood Frame Construction

by Pieter VanderWerf & Christina Neamtu

If you've ever tried to nail down a hard answer on this subject, you're probably already familiar with the wide range of estimates out there. Chances are you might have an easier time finding the Holy Grail. In an effort to make your search a little easier, we've taken a look at the major reports on ICF costs and boiled them down to the basics.

One thing that makes cost comparisons difficult is the fact that ICF costs are usually measured in square foot of wall area, while wood frame costs are measured in square foot of floor area. Depending on the study, you might see ICFs converted to relate to floor area, so it's a good idea to keep track of what's being measured to avoid any confusion. Another thing to keep in mind is that different studies use different costs. Some give what the general contractor paid (referred to as builder's costs or total house cost) while others give what the general contractor charges (referred to as sales price).

Let's take a look at some numbers. A Portland Cement Association technology brief drawing from work done by VanderWerf, Feige, Chammas, and Lemay (Insulating Concrete Forms for Residential Design and Construction, 1997) concluded ICFs cost builders about .5-4% per square foot of floor area more than wood frame houses of the same design. At the time of the study, typical US homes cost the builder about $60-100 per square foot of floor area, so using ICFs added about a $1.00-4.00 premium to this figure. This held true only for homes built by experienced contractors (who've built 4 to 5 houses).

Along similar lines, the NAHB Research Center's Demonstration Homes Project also evaluated the use of ICFs in residential construction in 1997. They experienced up to an 8% increase in total house cost, adding about 1-5% to the final price for the buyers. The NAHB's ToolBase report found that ICFs increased builder's cost by $0.75-4.00 per square foot of floor area compared to wood frame construction.

And in 1998, a study by HUD, PCA, and NAHB compared the cost and performance of ICF walls to conventional wood-frame exterior walls again. They found that labor costs for ICFs were slightly to moderately higher, and that total installed costs averaged about $2.73 per square foot of floor area more than the wood frame home. This translated to an increase in builder's cost of 6% to 7%, or roughly a 3% increase in the builder's sales price.

So where do all those studies leave us? The bottom line is this: ICFs usually cost slightly more than wood frame. But by how much depends. There are so many potential influences on cost that it's tough to nail down a solid estimate.

Here's why: concrete, lumber and foam prices, ICF form prices, lumber prices, exterior finishes, design features, crew experience, labor markets, and engineering all influence the cost of the intended project. An added cost of $2.50 per square foot of floor area seems to be in the middle of most of these ranges. But take that figure lightly; construction with ICFs can increase builder's costs much less or more. It's easy to see why there's been so much debate on this issue.

All this being said, ICFs do have major cost savings opportunities. Because ICF construction is more energy efficient, HVAC systems can be downsized and those savings offset part of the cost difference. Using EIFS as your exterior finish will also reduce some of the cost since the foam required for EIFS installation is already set up. And some builders report fewer customer service calls on their ICF homes. (NAHB Research Center Demonstration Home Project.)

ICF homeowners enjoy lower utility bills, better sound proofing, and durability. Some have estimated that the monthly savings provide a good payback on the initial investment. And then you have the benefits of a stronger, quieter, more comfortable home to boot.

For More Information:

VanderWerf, Feige, Chammas, and Lemay. Insulating Concrete Forms for Residential Design and Construction. NY: McGraw-Hill Inc, 1997.

NAHB's Insulating Concrete Forms for Residential Construction: Demonstration Homes Project

NAHB's Insulating Concrete Forms: Installed Cost and Acoustic Performance

Portland Cement Association Residential Technology Brief No. 5.

NAHB's ToolBase

DATABASE OF ENERGY TAX CREDITS

DSIRE: DSIRE Home

Home-Heating Options Can Pose Risks - New Hampshire Weather News Story - WMUR Manchester

Home-Heating Options Can Pose Risks - New Hampshire Weather News Story - WMUR Manchester

Geothermal Heating - Popular Mechanics

Geothermal Heating - Popular Mechanics