Journal staff report

Money in the bank, and energy savings too.

Ten new homeowners were awarded checks for $1,710 each by Orcas Power & Light Cooperative for the energy efficient homes that they helped build through Homes for Islanders.

The rewards include $1,500 for the Northwest Energy Star certification, $110 for Energy Star appliances and $100 for energy efficient lighting.

The checks were presented at a luncheon at OPALCO’s Friday Harbor office on Friday, Sept. 14.

Homes that have earned the Northwest Energy Star rating are at least 15 percent more efficient than homes built to current state building codes.

Building homes to the Energy Star standards guarantees high quality construction and efficient systems that provide homeowners with a more comfortable home plus smaller utility bills, according to OPALCO.

OPALCO offers residential rebates for appliances, heat pumps, and weatherization and commercial rebates for lighting and special projects.

The most efficient way to get started on a rebate award is to schedule a Home Snapshot Energy Assessment.