Free heaters? In Florida, incentives add up

New incentives for high-efficiency water heaters mean Orlando, Fla., consumers pay “next to nothing,” according to GE.

Incentives from the Orlando (Fla.) Utilities Commission (OUC) and various tax credits add up pretty close to the sale price of a GeoSpring Hybrid Water Heater. 

The company has done the math. Normally selling for $1,299, certain heaters are offered at a sale price of $999. A $650 OUC rebate and a $300 tax credit add up to $950.That’s a difference of $54 plus tax and installation costs. 

In Pensacola, Fla., a Gulf Power rebate is $700 -- bringing the cost down to $4 plus tax installation costs.

“With the sales promotion, OUC rebate program and the federal tax credit for Energy-Star-certified appliances eliminating the cost of the GeoSpring, consumers start saving money from day one on utility bills,” said Francois Lebrasseur, marketing manager, water products, for GE Appliances.