With spring on the horizon, people are stepping out to the Home and Garden Show and after a long winter, some are looking at ways to maximize energy efficiency. Corina Cappabianca takes a look at different options.
GEDDES, N.Y. -- Frank Tavolacci made the decision to go solar about two years ago.
“I've always been environmentally minded and the tax credits were very attractive,” he said.
Installation companies say with state and federal tax credits people tend to pay less than fifty percent for a system.
“The average system is about $20,000. After those tax incentives, you only end up paying about $9,000 out of your pocket,” said Green Visions Solar CEO Austin Jarvis.
Jarvis says on an average house about twenty to twenty six panels are installed to offset an electric bill. Another option is geothermal.
“Geothermal is specifically to heat your house… it uses the ground as a heat source depending on the season, so it will heat and cool your house,” said Erin Pownall with Halco.
She says other factors that contribute to energy efficiency in a home include insulation and windows.
The show continues Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.