Dan and Leia Armstrong of Carlisle are looking to build their first home in Upper Dauphin County, and they want it to be as cost -and energy efficient as possible.

The young couple were checking out geothermal heating systems Saturday at the Pennsylvania Home Show at the Farm Show arena in Harrisburg. Mike Armstrong, sales manager for Morrison Inc. of Duncannon, was selling them on the benefits. Costs to heat a 2,000 square-foot home would be around $670 a year with a geothermal system compared to about $3,000 for propane or electric baseboard, he said.

Then there are the incentives. A 30 % federal tax credit. A rebate from PP&L.

A $20,000 geothermal system would come in closer to $14,000, he said, about the cost of a more conventional system.

The Armstrongs were convinced.

“ Not only does it help the environment, it saves the homeowner money too, ” Dan Armstrong said.

Many of the exhibitors at the Home Show advertised “ green ” or “ energy efficient ” on their signs. While some contractors are still suffering with the recession, business is good for green systems like geothermal, Mike Armstrong said.

There has never been a better time to go green, according to John Kautz, owner of Energy Smart of Boiling Springs. His business does energy audits on homes, then adds insulation, new windows, siding, or whatever else the audit shows would help the home become more efficient.

” We’re at a pivotal time … We’re in a position of strength, ” he said, what with electric rates rising as the caps come off, the federal tax credit, PP&L incentives, and President Obama’s proposed “ Homestar ” program, also called “ Cash for Caulkers, ” which would offer instant rebates up to $1,500 for energy efficient upgrades if it passes Congress.

Kautz said it makes more sense for homeowners to make their homes efficient before looking at more exotic upgrades like solar panels or windmills.

Matt Wilson of Secco Home Services of Camp Hill said solar energy is also selling well, though. In addition to the other incentives, Pennsylvania is offering grants of $2.25 a watt for solar systems, which could save homeowners thousands of dollars.

All in all, the costs of installation could be nearly cut in half with all the incentives, he said. Homeowners could recoup their initial costs in seven to ten years.

Doug Snyder of Millersburg said he’s thinking of installing a couple of solar panels on his roof to heat his water.

“With the costs of electricity going up, I’m looking at ways to offset it,” he said. While rising electric rates are the prime motivator, the incentives are nice too, he added, bringing the $7,500 cost closer to $4,000. He got a federal tax break for putting in a new metal roof last year.

Dave Henry of Hanover was traveling throughout the show considering replacement projects for his 25-year-old home – a geothermal heating system, better windows, siding, insulation and appliances. He said the warehouse where he works just replaced its lights at a cost of $80,000, but with the incentives and energy savings, the project will pay for itself in six months.

“Now’s the time to look at this,” he said. “I think this is the future…At least we’re throwing money at something worthwhile down the road.”

Contractor Joseph Dubrovich of J.D. Builders of Dillsburg has a sign reading “I have been green all my life” in capital letters, and has photos of a 2,500 square foot home he built which costs $100 a month in heat, electric and lighting bills. He said he doesn’t mind that others are “jumping on the green bandwagon” because “it establishes me better.”

He said the rising costs of energy are the biggest reason people are going green, more so than the rebates and tax incentives. But there are also less mercenary reasons, according to Dubrovich.

“A lot of people are interested in saving the planet,” he said. “People want to do good things.”

The show runs through March 14 at the Farm Show Complex

source: http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2010/03/visitors_to_pennsylvania_home.html