Burbank residents, BWP has even more rebates for you

If you own a home in Burbank, Burbank Water and Power is gifting you with even larger rebates on new, energy-efficient appliances.  They've doubled the rebates for new refrigerators, washers, and dishwashers.  Check their website for details.

NOT another point-of-sale mandate!

If you have bought or sold a home lately, you know that there are many closing costs. They're about 3% for the buyer, and can go up to 8% for the seller. The seller's costs include mandatory retrofit requirements. The city of L.A. also collects $4.50 per thousand of profit (although Burbank and Glendale don't) as a city tax. Now here comes another expense.

I’m all for energy efficiency. But Cal State Assembly Bill AB 2678, among other things, requires that ALL homes and commercial property in California have a $400 energy audit at point-of-sale – before your escrow closes -- and that mandatory energy efficiency investments be made. If enacted, AB 2678 could add thousands of dollars to the cost of purchasing a home, including the aforementioned $400 just to have a home “audited.” AB 2678 will be considered by the Assembly Utilities and Commerce committee on Monday, April 14th.

While point of sale mandates are always well intentioned, they are ineffective because they only apply to a small portion of the housing stock that changes hands every year. Not to mention the hurt put on sellers who may be stretched very thin as it is. Not to sound like a conservative, but why can’t we accomplish the same through property-tax credits?

Sexiest Headline of the Week: Topless Water Heater Rebate!

Okay, it's not topless, it's tankless, but it got your attention, right? Per an insert in my gas co. bill (you wondered who read those, huh?) you residents of Burbank and Los Angeles can now get a $200 rebate from The Gas Company when you purchase one of these. They're great -- they give you hot water on demand, so you don't have a big, 40-gallon tank of boiling water sitting around. You'll use less energy and water. Visit www.socalgas.com/twh/for more info. The offer is good through December 31, 2008 of this year.