Saving money vs. helping the environment: It's about the money
Americans are more inclined to make energy-efficient
improvements when their actions help save money. They are less
motivated by environmental concerns, according to a national
poll released Monday by the Tennessee-based research firm
Shelton Group. About a quarter of Americans polled said that
they received a rebate or other financial incentive for making
an energy-efficient improvement. Most rebates came from a
utility or federal tax incentive. Of those who made
improvements, 25% said they would not have acted without the
incentive. Changing incandescent lightbulbs to compact
fluorescents was the most common change made to save energy (63%
of homeowners), followed by weather stripping (55%) and
purchasing EnergyStar appliances (49%). Photo: Residential roof-
top solar installation. Credit: Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times