The Barbara Schlachter Memorial Lecture Series is a partnership between 100 Grannies for a Livable Future and the Iowa City/Johnson County Senior Center and this year features five presenters who lead efforts on local environmental action and transparency.
On Monday, March 20, Sarah Gardner, Climate Action Engagement Specialist for the City of Iowa City, spoke on the new guidance for rebates and tax credits made possible through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The IRA provides incentives for energy efficient home improvements and maintenance. Sarah’s presentation gave helpful tips on how to prioritize what to do now vs. later to improve energy efficiency in your home. For example, she recommended increasing insulation now, but waiting to buy a heat pump when your air conditioning goes out. Her tips are based on what rebates and tax credits are available, the maximum allowable each year, and developments in the market that are making energy efficiency improvements more affordable over time. A summary of her recommendations is shown in IRA Credits and Rebates Checklist.