Memphis and Shelby County
Office of Sustainability and Resilience
Practicing sustainability in your everyday life is essential for reducing your environmental footprint and contributing to a healthier planet. Remember that practicing sustainability at home is a continuous journey. Even small changes can make a big difference overtime, both in your own lifestyle and the planet.
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See below for tips on conserving energy and to explore resources to help you reach your sustainable energy use goals!
Energy Efficiency & Clean Energy
CONSERVATION TIPS
Reduce Use, Save More!
Below are tips on how to conserve energy at home.
Air Dry Laundry
Dryers use a lot of electricity. Try using a clothesline or rack instead. Also clean your dryer vents inside before a new load and outside at least once a year.
Air Dry Dishes
Let dishes air dry instead of using a heated dry cycle. Also try handwashing small items and placing on dry rack.
Wash Laundry in Cold Water
Modern detergents do a great job and cold water will not affect cleanliness nor will it fade fabric color.
Clean Refrigerator Coils
Clean dust and debris from your condenser coils behind or underneath your refrigerator every 6 months to maintain efficiency. Also remove ice build up in your freezer.
Control Thermostat for Savings
Keep Summer temps at 78° F when home (up 2-4° F when away), Winter temps at 68° F when home (down 2-4° F when away). Investing in a programmable thermostat could save up to $150/year.
Turn Off Unused Electronics
When not using electronic devices or appliances turn them off or unplug them if there is no off switch. Plug in multiple appliances (like TVs, game consoles, computers, microwaves) on a power strip to turn off easily at night.
Improve Air Flow & Fan Use
Make sure furniture isn't covering your vents or A/C units, and keep interior doors open to maintain airflow. Only use fans when you are in the room. Switch the fan direction - in winter clockwise and in summer counter-clockwise.
Maintain Heat Pump/Mini-Split
A clean properly running heat pump/mini-split can save a tremendous amount of money. Hire a HVAC Contractor to service it annually. Replace/clean your air filters every 1-2 months.
Open & Close Windows/Drapes
In summer months, close windows and drapes/blinds to keep the house cooler. In winter months, open drapes/blinds in south-facing windows to bring in more heat from sunlight, but close at night to help keep out the cold.
RESOURCES
Federal Resources
The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA) has provided Americans historic support in the transition towards cleaner and lower energy use. Through the IRA, a host of incentives and credits are now available to take advantage of. Keep reading to learn more about which opportunities may benefit you along with other programs made available outside of the IRA.
Energy Efficiency Home Improvement Credit: Individuals can claim tax credits for qualified energy efficiency improvements made to their homes starting January 1, 2023. The credit is equal to 30% of expenses, with a maximum $3,200 annual credit. Qualified expenses include building envelope components, residential energy audits, heat pumps, and more. For more information on qualifications and credit details, go to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) website.
Residential Clean Energy Credit: Individuals can claim tax credits for investing in renewable energy for their home such as solar, wind, and geothermal. The credit is equal to 30% of qualified expenses for clean energy property installed starting in 2022 and has no annual or lifetime dollar limit (except for fuel cell property). Visit the IRS website for more information on the credit and to see what you may qualify for.
Clean Vehicle Tax Credit: Individuals can claim tax credits up to $7,500 for purchasing a new, qualified plug-in electric vehicle (EV) or fuel cell EV starting in 2023. Check here to see which clean vehicles are eligible for a tax credit. Individuals can also claim credits for purchasing a used, qualified plug-in EV or fuel cell EV starting in 203. The credit equals to 30% of the sale price with a credit max of $4,000. Check here to see which used clean vehicles are eligible for a tax credit. To see more detailed information on Electric Vehicle tax credits, check out the Department of Energy's (DOE) website.
Commercial Clean Vehicle Credit: Businesses and tax-exempt organizations can also qualify for a clean vehicle tax credit of up to $40,000. The credit amount is calculated based on the vehicle's gross vehicle weight rating, whether the vehicle is electric, fuel cell electric, or a plug-in hybrid, and the incremental cost of the vehicle. Read more about the details and qualifications of the credit here.
Investment Tax Credit (ITC) and Production Tax Credit (PTC): Businesses and other entities including nonprofits and local governments can claim credits for purchasing solar energy system starting in 2022.
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ITC reduces the federal income tax liability for a percentage of the cost of the purchased solar system.
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PTC credits on a per kilowatt-hour basis for the electricity generated by the system for the first 10 years of operation. It reduces the federal income tax liability and is adjusted annually for inflation.
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Learn more about the two credits here.​
Commercial Buildings Energy Efficiency Tax Deduction: Building owners can claim up to $1 in tax credits per square foot of commercial building that have received a recent energy saving upgrade (including retrofitted energy efficient technology). To learn more about qualifications and credit calculations, check out this page.
Elective Pay/Direct Pay: Elective Pay, also referred to as Direct Pay, allows tax-exempt entities to claim tax credits on clean energy investments. Eligible entities include government agencies and various political subdivisions, school districts, economic development agencies, public universities, hospitals, and any other establishment that does not normally owe federal income tax. Visit the IRS website to learn more about Elective Pay and eligibility.
45L Energy Efficient Tax Credit: Developers and contractors can claim tax credits on eligible energy efficient single family and multifamily dwellings that have been newly built or substantially reconstructed. To qualify for the credit the contractor must own the home and it must be used as a residence. The credit can equal up to $5,000 for projects acquired starting in 2023 and up to $2,000 for those acquired before 2023. Check the IRS website for more information on requirements and qualifications.
State and Local Resources
There are various resources available to City of Memphis and Shelby County residents for energy efficiency projects. Keep reading for information on opportunities available on the local, state, and regional level.
Home Energy Rebates programs: Under the Home Efficiency Rebates program, single family households will be able to apply for up to $8,000 in rebates for energy efficiency retrofits and multifamily buildings could receive up to $400,00 in rebates. Under the Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates program, individuals can apply for rebates up to $14,000 per building for electric appliances and other home electrification projects. Funding for these programs is not yet available but will be administered to applicants through the Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation’s (TDEC) Office of Energy Programs (OEP). Visit the program website to see what you qualify for and to stay updated on when the program applications will open to the public.
Weatherization Assistance Program: The City of Memphis Weatherization Program offers assistance to low-income households in Shelby County to improve home energy efficiency. The program includes weatherization measures such as installing insulation, reducing air infiltration, and performing heating and cooling modifications. The City of Memphis is currently not accepting any new clients into the program. Check their website for more information.
TVA EnergyRight: Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) EnergyRight is a program that provides custom energy-saving resources and financial incentives to TVA's service region which includes Memphis and Shelby County. Check out their website to explore all that they offer including Commercial and Residential incentives and rebates and energy bill assistance for low-income residents.
TVA HomeUplift Program: TVA's HomeUplift Program provides a varitety of energy efficiency upgrades to low-income households who are subscribers of participating local power companies. Check to see if you are eligible to receive HomeUplift assistance here.
TVA EnergyRight: TVA EnergyRight provides various online tools and resources regarding electric vehicles. You can locate charging stations near you, compare vehicles, explore models, and look through their comprehensive EV guide. Check out their website to learn more.
OTHER HELPFUL TOOLS