You've made a lot of habit changes to be more energy efficient, and now you're wondering what else you can do. To find out what home improvements qualify for tax credits, visit energytaxincentives.org. In addition, Kansas has several programs to promote energy conservation.

Kansas Energy Efficiency Program

The Kansas Housing Resources Corporation (KHRC) has launched a statewide initiative to promote energy conservation. The Kansas Energy Efficiency Program (KEEP) allows income-eligible homeowners to obtain low interest loans for making improvements to their home to increase energy efficiency. The program is for Kansas homeowners.

KHRC provide a zero interest loan for half of the loan amount, up to a maximum of $7,500. Sunflower Bank funds the rest. Total loan amounts could be higher as determined by Sunflower Bank.


Home improvements allowed under KEEP include:

• Installing specified ENERGY STAR furnaces, central air conditioners, heat pumps, water heaters, and ventilation systems.


• Wall and floor insulation, new doors, windows and weather-stripping.


• Air sealing, duct work and purchase of specified ENERGY STAR appliances such as refrigerators, washers, dryers, dishwashers, and programmable thermostats.

Phantom load is the electricity used by appliances and electronic equipment even when the device is turned off or not being used. It has been estimated that 40% of the electricity used in the U.S. is wasted in the form of phantom load. For example, an LCD TV may still draw power even when it's off, because it is waiting for a signal from the remote. It can use 24 watts just being plugged in but not in use.

To eliminate phantom load, plug items like TVs, DVDs, VCRs, and computers, into a power strip and turn the power strip off to ensure the devices are not drawing power. Alternatively, you can plug such items into an outlet that is controlled by a switch on the wall.

A new "smart power strip" was recently introduced on the market that knows when electronic equipment has been turned off, and it automatically powers it down further to eliminate phantom load. Check your local hardware or home improvement store for availability.


Here is a chart listing some of the watts wasted by common appliances through phantom load.


Phantom Load Estimates

Electronic Device	Est. Watts used/hour	Est. Kwh/ month used	Est $/month
PC, router, and printer	35	25	$2.00
Digital cable box	35	25	$2.00
Tivo or digital recorder	35	25	$2.00
LCD TV (40")	24	14	$1.50
Cell phone charger (not charging)	1	0.75	$.06
Clock radio	1	1.5	$.12
Treadmill	2	3	$.25
Microwave	4	0.75	$.06
Satellite receiver box	1	9	$.75
Garage door opener	12	9	$.75
Security system	18	13	$1.10
Answering machine	2	1.5	$.12
TOTAL	181	127.5	$10.71

Play and learn on our website

Crunch the numbers using our home energy calculators and see where you might be able to save energy and money around your home.


And, for your children, there's a special section of our website with activities that will teach electrical safety as well as the importance of being energy efficient.