There are two programs in Athens County, Ohio, that you may be able to take advantage of if you update to an energy efficient furnace.

Columbia Gas offers the Home Performance Solutions program to its customers. The program first starts with a home energy audit costing $20 or $50, depending on income. Then, the cost of the audit is rebated if you make any qualified energy efficiency improvements, including attic and wall insulation upgrades, air sealing and high-efficiency gas furnace or boiler replacements. Additionally, rebates of up to 70 percent of the cost may be available if you make more than one qualified energy efficiency improvement, and you could receive a rebate of up to $400 for a gas furnace replacement. To qualify, the furnace must have an AFUE value of 92 percent or higher. Income-eligible customers could receive a rebate of up to $1,000 for a high-efficiency gas furnace.

Also, AEP Ohio gas and electric customers may be eligible for rebates for energy-saving improvements through AEP's gridSMART In-home Energy Assessment and In-home Energy Audit programs. The customer must first have a $25 energy audit. Improvements are then eligible for rebates if they are recommended by a program-approved auditor and customers submit all rebate applications within six months of the date of the audit. Under this rebate program, efficient furnace fans with an electronically commutated motor may be eligible for a rebate of $150.

To the best of our knowledge, both of these programs have been extended into 2011 and will continue until funds are exhausted.

Finally, energy-efficient furnaces with AFUE values of 95 percent or higher may be eligible for the energy efficiency federal tax credit. If you owe money on your taxes, the tax credit will cover 10 percent of the cost of improvements, up to $150 for efficient furnaces and up to $50 for efficient furnace fans.