News 12 at 11 o'clock--February 9, 2010

SOUTH CAROLINA--For many of you, your electric bills skyrocketed this winter because of that nasty cold snap that hit the CSRA.

But that all could change if you make some changes to your home.

South Carolina lawmakers are working on a new energy bill to help you lower your bill by retrofitting your home with energy efficient products.

Fred and Jane Runyon were nice and cozy this winter, but they also saved a lot of money after getting new insulation and a new water heater when they won News 12's Help My House contest.

"The bill we got so far was somewhere around 250 dollars," Jane said. "Last year, it was over 300-something dollars but it's been a rougher winter."

One of the roughest winters in a long time, but the new products have helped them by doing more than saving money.

"It saves the environment," she said. "And we did start using those energy efficient light bulbs."

Making these type of changes to your home is something South Carolina legislators are pushing in this new energy saving bill where they would loan you the money to make the changes, if you qualify.

"The program would be a low interest loan that would be paid back on peoples power bills," Sen. Shane Massey said.

Sen. Massey says it would be a big help for many lower income houses who's homes might not be as insulated.

"Ironically the people who have the less income are the ones who end up having the higher power bills because their homes aren't as insulated," said Sen. Massey.

So the state will help you retrofit your home with better insulation, heating and cooling units at a 2.5 percent interest rate.

"The larger focus is educating people on conservation," he said.

And by conserving now like the Runyon's, it will save you money later.

"The end result is it means lower power bills for people and I think that's a good thing," Sen. Massey said.

The monthly payment would be tied to the home so if you move the next person who moves into your place would inherit the cost of putting in the new appliances on their utility bill.

The energy cooperatives are the main ones pushing the program because the state is trying to not rely on foreign energy so much and focus more on using domestic energy

South Carolina's energy efficient rebate program starts March 31st.

The state will give out 500 dollar rebates for furnaces and heat pumps.

It's part of the nearly 4-million dollar rebate program from energy-star certified appliances.

Rebates range from 50 dollars for room air conditioners and dish-washers to 500 dollars.

The energy office has a web site with a list of eligible appliances.