Friday 28, October 2011

NEW! "FREE" Home Energy Analyses

The Sonoma County Energy Independence Program (SCEIP), in partnership with Energy Upgrade California™ in Sonoma County, have increased local incentives and are now offering homeowners up to 100-percent rebate for Energy Analysis services. A Home Energy Analysis uses cutting-edge technology to determine where a home may be leaking energy. The analyst assesses all the major energy efficiency features of the home, looking at the house as a whole system. The analysis includes a customized evaluation of the home’s energy use and identifies specific opportunities to minimize energy waste, many of which are eligible for further rebates and financing. This is an expansion of the current Energy Analysis rebate offered by SCEIP. Any Sonoma County homeowner may choose to have an analysis performed on their home. Immediate plans for energy efficiency improvements are not required. To get more information or find a rater, visit our website.

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Bigger Rebates for Home Energy Efficiency

Regional incentives have also been added to the existing Energy Upgrade Basic and Advanced pathways to home energy efficiency upgrades as a part of the Energy Upgrade California Whole House Upgrade program. An additional $1,000 flat-rate rebate brings the total rebate for the Energy Upgrade Basic Package projects to $2,000. An additional $2,000 flat-rate rebate for Advanced Package projects means a homeowner can now get up to $6,000 in rebates. Energy efficiency upgrades in these packages are designed to increase energy and water efficiency, improve indoor air quality, create a more comfortable home, and potentially decrease utility bills.

Both the analysis and efficiency upgrades incentive programs are limited-time offers, available on a first-come/first-served basis while funds last. Funding for this program is made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). For more information on these rebates, how to contact a Participating Contractor or HERS II Rater, or Energy Upgrade California™ in Sonoma County, call (707) 565-6470 or visit www.EnergyUgradeSonoma.org.

Energy Upgrade California is a statewide program that helps property owners reduce their energy use and save money with rebates, incentives and financing. To qualify for energy efficiency incentives homeowners must work with Energy Upgrade Participating Contractors.  To qualify for the 100% energy analysis, homeowners must work with a HERS II Rater and receive a Home Energy Score.

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SCEIP About to Launch New Interactive Website

We’ve been working feverishly to upgrade and launch our new website, and it’s due to go live next week! With special thanks to Jeff Rouser and Weblift, our site will feature an entirely new look with easier navigation and several new features:
• Walk through Action Plan to determine the maximum amount you can save off your utility bills. 
• Consolidated source of rebate and incentive information
• Database of contractors to help with your projects
• Online application for PACE financing (coming soon)
• yoUtilBill… a quick and easy tool to learn more about quick things that you can do today to lower your energy bills (coming soon)

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Find SCEIP on Facebook and YouTUBE!

LIKE our new Facebook page to keep up to date on SCEIP, PACE financing, Energy Upgrade California in Sonoma County, related news and information.
 

Subscribe to our YouTUBE Channel to be the first to hear about new videos we post that you can view and share with your friends.

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$2M Revolving Fund Allows for Weekly Disbursements

SCEIP has received $2 million from the CEC to establish a revolving loan fund, which will allow for disbursements to occur weekly rather than requiring customers to wait until the first business day of each month.  Soon, all residential Requests for Disbursement received by 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday will be funded the following Monday (or first County business day of the week).  Some restrictions apply around the holidays.  This will go into effect Nov 1, 2011.

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Why Efficiency First? It Just Makes Sense

We are often asked why a 10% reduction in energy usage is required before SCEIP will finance renewable energy projects. After all, if you add a solar energy system, you’ll have plenty of free energy to waste, right? Wrong!

Wasting energy causes an increase in greenhouse gas. Buildings account for about half of the CO2 emissions in the United States. Efficiency improvements are often an easy, cheap fix in the struggle to reduce CO2 emissions.

In addition, reducing your energy usage means that a solar energy system will offset a greater percentage of that usage: you’ll save more on electricity costs in the long run, and your home solar system will pay for itself more quickly. There is a much higher rate of return on investment for energy efficiency improvements.

Making your home more energy efficient can also make it healthier and more comfortable. It can reduce the amount of mold or dust coming into your home through poorly sealed ducts. It can also reduce temperature variations and drafts in the home, making it more comfortable in all seasons. Most homes in Sonoma County are heated with natural gas or propane. Solar PV alone does not address a leaky and drafty home.

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New AVM Tool Makes Valuation Quick and Accurate

All properties seeking SCEIP financing must meet a lien to market value ratio of 100% or less. In addition, the requested financing amount cannot exceed 10% of the property’s market value.  To obtain the most accurate market value on residential properties, SCEIP has partnered with Prime Valuation, LLC.  Prime Valuation Services’ (PVS) computer-generated models predict a most probable sales price using historical sales data in conjunction with demographic and economic statistics.  Effective November 1, 2011, all applications received by SCEIP will be processed using the PVS Automatic Valuation Model.  PVS charges $12 for this service, and this cost is passed on to the applicant.

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SCEIP Participant Survey Results

A big “Thank You!” goes out to the 285 people (86% response rate!) that took the time to complete our online survey, telling us about their experience with SCEIP and helping us to make our services better. Overall, the vast majority of respondents were satisfied or very satisfied with SCEIP and their experience. Over 30% had lowered their energy use 20% or more. Over 93% said they had or would refer others to SCEIP and 89% said we could use their comments as testimonials for education and outreach. We greatly appreciate your participation and support! Look for another survey being sent to participants in Energy Upgrade Sonoma in early 2012.

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