Business View Magazine | February 2019

282 Rabe Hardware, Eastern Iowa’s leader for comfort and energy savings, has seen a steady shift in cus- tomer attitudes towards energy efficiency since they opened their doors back in 1979. As the demand for energy continues to grow each year, it’s no surprise that energy consumption and efficiency has become more critical. Each year, more and more Iowans turn to Rabe Hardware for energy saving solutions that not only improve efficiency but also lower operating costs in an environmentally responsible way. With geother- mal, solar or a combination of both; homeowners and businesses can achieve instant savings, lock in energy costs and produce clean renewable energy for decades to come. Geothermal heating and cooling systems, also known as Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHP), transfer heat versus burning fuel to create it. This efficient use of en- ergy transfer makes geothermal systems 400 percent efficient, compare that to the most efficient gas furnace available today which is only 98 percent efficient. On average a geothermal system produces annual savings up to 70 percent on utility bills and offers a quiet, clean and safe alternative to traditional HVAC systems. Solar panels provide on-site power generation and are another popular choice for homeowners and businesses looking to reduce or completely eliminate their electric bills. A solar PV (photovoltaic) system harnesses the sun to produce clean, cost-efficient solar power for all your electrical needs. Over the last 10 years, the cost to install solar panels has dropped significantly while the technology and durability has improved. Due to these factors, a solar PV system is a more economical energy solution with shorter paybacks than ever before. According to the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Sec- tion 48, solar and geothermal qualify for a Renewable Energy Investment Tax Credit (ITC). Temporarily, the credit rate for solar is 30 percent through 2019, before being reduced to 26 percent in 2020 and 22 percent in 2021; while an investment in geothermal (GSHP) cur- rently qualifies for a 10-30 percent ITC through 2021. Generous solar and geothermal state tax credits, utility incentives and commercial rapid depreciation also help significantly reduce upfront costs and improve return on investment. Rabe Hardware has been a long-time advocate of renewable energy and is widely recognized as one of Iowa’s most trusted solar and geothermal experts. To learn more about the benefits of solar and geothermal or to schedule a free consultation visit RabeHardware.com.