Home retrofit program offers energy savings and cash rebates
San Diego homeowners who have qualified contractors perform specific energy-saving improvements can receive cash rebates under the comprehensive statewide home retrofit program, Energy Upgrade California.
Energy Upgrade California is an unprecedented collaboration between state energy commissions, utility companies, local governments, nongovernmental organizations and the private sector to reduce energy use, curb greenhouse gas emissions, conserve resources and create more comfortable and efficient homes. It is being headed up by the California Public Utilities Commission and the California Energy Commission with funding from both utility ratepayers and the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
CCSE is collaborating with San Diego Gas & Electric ( SDG&E) to provide San Diegans with a one-stop Energy Upgrade California program resource for information on energy improvements, financing and finding a qualified contractor for home energy upgrades. We will also offer contractor training and qualification for the program as well as home performance workforce development, business and sales training and marketing support.
Whole House Performance
The Energy Upgrade California program promotes a whole house performance approach that focuses on the many different elements within a home that affect energy use, how they interact and influence health and safety.
Two key components of Energy Upgrade California are home energy assessments and incentives for efficiency improvements that are based on the energy savings a home energy upgrade can achieve. Participating homeowners may be eligible for up to $4,000 in SDG&E incentives as well as additional local municipality rebates and federal tax credits.
For Homeowners
Your house or building should be a complete system working together – a "whole house" – rather than elements such as windows, air conditioners/furnaces, and insulation working independently. You should have an energy assessment of your home so that you can pinpoint exactly what upgrades you can make, the costs, and the rebates or incentives that may apply (read more).
For Contractors
Licensed building contractors with specific qualifications are eligible to participate in Energy Upgrade California. Interested contractors must attend an Energy Upgrade California orientation workshop through CCSE. The workshop outlines the program resources available to contractors, the requirements for participation and the process of submitting projects for SDG&E and other eligible incentives and rebates.
Through their partnership with SDG&E, CCSE is also offering free, three-day and six-day professional building performance training workshops that are designed to lead to BPI certification and participation in the program. To become an eligible contractor in San Diego, visit www.energycenter.org/upgrade; for other contractors in California please visit www.energyupgradecalifornia.com.
