New Online Training Course Helps Construction Professionals Leverage Tax Incentives

WASHINGTON (August 2, 2011) – A new online training course from the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) is designed to help construction professionals understand how propane appliances and systems can contribute to higher scores on green building rating systems and apply toward available federal, state, and local tax incentives and rebates.

The course—"Designing and Retrofitting with Propane Gas: Energy Benefits and Available Incentives"—is available on www.buildwithpropane.com and is approved by the National Association of Home Builders, the American Institute of Architects, the U.S. Green Building Council, and the National Association of the Remodeling Industry.

"Construction professionals can provide their clients with better service by having a good understanding of available federal, state, and local tax incentives," said Tracy Burleson, director of residential programs for PERC. "Propane as a home's primary energy source can help reduce energy costs and lower carbon emissions. Combined with available federal and possibly state and local tax incentives and rebates, the use of propane can provide an attractive return on investment."

The course outlines the requirements for the Residential Energy Credits, the Energy Efficient Home Credit, and the Energy Efficient Commercial Buildings Deduction, and describes how state and local programs, including rebates from state propane gas associations, can be combined to offer significant first-cost savings. And the course covers how propane-fueled appliances can contribute points toward green building rating systems such as the National Green Building Standard and the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Homes.