July
On the Agenda
Highlights
AUGUST 7
Craftsmen’s Summer Classic Arts & Crafts Festival
FOR A COMPLETE LISTING OF EVENTS, SEE SC EVENTS ON PAGE 36
Myrtle Beach is the setting for original work from more than 250 talented artists and crafts people. All juried exhibitors’ work has been handmade by the exhibitors and must be their own original design and creation. See the creative process in action with several exhibitors demonstrating their craft in their booths. Something for every taste and budget with items from the most contemporary to the most traditional. Adult admission is $7 and $1 for ages six to 12. For information, log onto gilmoreshows.com or call (336) 282-5550.
AUGUST 7–8
JULY 17-18
Pageland Watermelon Festival Sit back, relax and watch a watermelon-themed parade travel down Main Street in Pageland, a historic community in northeast South Carolina near the North Carolina border. Local beauty queens compete for the title of Watermelon World Queen. For admission and other information, access pagelandchamber.com or call (843) 672-6400.
AUGUST 15
TOP PICK FOR KIDS
POWERS OF NATURE The incredible forces of wind, water and earth are demonstrated vividly in the South Carolina State Museum’s exciting blockbuster exhibit Powers of Nature, on display through September 7. The exhibit explores the science behind natural disasters with more than 50 interactive stations. For information, visit museum.state.sc.us or call (803) 898-4921.
Battle of Musgrove’s Mill Anniversary Celebration Musgrove Mill State Historic Site will be presenting the Battle of Musgrove’s Mill Anniversary Celebration. The battle, which took place on August 19, 1780, was one of the early turning points in the Southern Campaign of the American Revolution, and stands as an excellent example of the guerilla conflict and civil war that raged in the Carolina Backcountry during America’s War of Independence. The event will feature an interpretive talk on the Battle of Musgrove’s Mill and its significance, a period firing salute, as well as commemorations by the Sons of the American Revolution and the Daughters of the American Revolution. Free with park admission. Call (864) 938-0100 for information.
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SOUTH CAROLINA LIVING | JULY 2009 | SCLIVING.COOP
South Carolina Pelion Peanut Party Farmers in Pelion have been producing and harvesting peanuts for years. It has long been a tradition for the townspeople to gather for the annual boiling of the peanuts. Visit scpeanutparty.com or call (803) 606-9522 for event information.
Send us comments, questions and Good Neighbors by e-mail to letters@SCliving.coop
Upgrade efficiency with tax credits
The idea of living in a more efficient home — and paying lower utility bills — has widespread appeal. But finding ways to fund improvements can be difficult during hard economic times. Fortunately, the federal government offers two ways to recover some of your expenses when planning upgrades: energy efficiency tax credits and renewable energy tax credits. Through the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act — known as the federal stimulus bill — Uncle Sam offers a personal tax credit of up to $1,500 for energy-efficiency measures made at existing homes in 2009 and 2010. You can recover 30 percent of the cost of adding insulation materials and exterior doors, windows, and roofs designed to help reduce your home’s heat loss or gain. The credit also covers efficient central air conditioners, air-source heat pumps, hot-water boilers, and biomass stoves. With a maximum value of $1,500 for all improvements made in 2009 and 2010, the credit may be applied toward material costs on all projects. You can also use it on installation costs for heating, ventilation and airconditioning systems and biomass stoves. If you want to start generating your own power, consider taking a renewable energy tax credit covering 30 percent of the cost of materials and installation for solar panels, solar water heaters, and geothermal heat pumps. This credit applies to both existing homes and new construction. Projects must be placed into service between January 1, 2009, and December 31, 2016. Energy Star, a joint program of the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, provides guidelines on what qualifies for both tax credits at www.energystar.gov, keyword “Tax credits.”
Tax credits ease heating and cooling costs Heating and cooling accounts for almost half of your monthly energy bill. New federal incentives can help you lower this expense. Receive a tax credit for 30 percent of the cost of materials and installation for qualifying improvements — up to $1,500 over 2009 and 2010. Guidelines are at energystar.gov, keyword ‘tax credits.’ Examples:
Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning (HVAC)
JIM HUFF
CURRENTS
Central Air For split systems, an energy Conditioning efficiency ratio (EER) of 13 or Air-Source higher and a Seasonal EER (SEER) of 16 or higher. For package systems, a 12 EER or higher and a 14 SEER or higher. Heat Pump
TECH NOTES
Will hydrogen fuel your home?
For split systems, a Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF) of 8.5 or higher, a 12.5 EER or higher, and a 15 SEER or higher. For package systems, an HSPF of 8 or higher, a 12 EER or higher, and a 14 SEER or higher.
Aiken County is a growing center for research into tapping the lightest and most common of elements, hydrogen, for a clean, safe and unlimited energy source. Officials from Aiken Electric Cooperative, Santee Cooper and the Center for Hydrogen Research (CHR) joined there recently in the dedication of a solar panel array to advance hydrogen generation from renewable energy sources. The array allows the CHR researchers to work on applications of hydrogen as a storage solution for solar energy. Gary Stooksbury, chief executive officer of Aiken Electric Cooperative, notes that the project is supported by people who are paying a premium for renewable energy. “Sales of Green Power, supported by the electric cooperatives, are used to enhance and expand renewable programs in South Carolina,” he says.
Geothermal All Energy Star geothermal Heat Pump heat pumps qualify, and unlike for other HVAC systems, there is no limit to the tax credit amount. For this credit, the unit must be placed into service before Dec. 31, 2016. Advanced Main Air Circulating Fan
No more than 2 percent of furnace total energy use.
For tax purposes, the Manufacturer’s Certification Statement and receipt are generally required. Use IRS Form 5695 to claim the credit.
Source: energystar.gov
HOME IMPROVEMENT
AVERAGE HOME ENERGY COSTS The first step in reducing your home energy costs is to review last year’s utility bills and see where your energy dollars are going. The U.S. Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy claims the average homeowner spends the most energy dollars on heating and cooling.
Computers & Electronics 9% Other 8%
Appliances & Lighting 20%
Refrigeration 8%
Water Heating 12% Space Heating & Cooling 43%
Source: 2007 Buildings Energy Data Book, Table 4.2.1, 2005 energy cost data.
scliving.coop | JULY 2009 | SOUTH CAROLINA LIVING
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