California Center for Sustainable Energy

Welcome to Energy Upgrade Update

Energy Upgrade Update is the place for contractors to learn about Energy Upgrade California^TM in San Diego. We invite you to participate in the events and activities in the newsletter and to pass your e-mail copy along to other interested contractors. Anyone can sign up to receive Energy Upgrade Update by visiting www.energycenter.org/upgrade or by e-mailing Jesse Fulton at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

TOP HVAC Program Launches in San Diego

The Training and Outreach Program for HVAC Contractors (TOP HVAC) launched on May 26 in San Diego at the California Center for Sustainable Energy. Participants at the orientation learned about this new program that has a goal of educating HVAC and general contractors about home performance and its many benefits.

As participants in the TOP HVAC program, ten contractors are currently engaged in biweekly conference calls, receiving industry updates and attending sales, marketing and building science workshops, all offered free of charge.

In July and August, TOP HVAC contractors are working with Stephen Self from the Electric and Gas Industries Association (EGIA) to find out what it takes to move from a single technology HVAC business to a more holistic approach to energy efficiency, namely a whole house performance perspective. Contractors will also have the opportunity to practice their diagnostic testing equipment skills at a local residence with CCSE energy experts and participate in advanced energy modeling workshops.

For eligibility requirements and to learn more about the TOP HVAC program, please contact Jennifer Green at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
or call 858-244-1180.

San Diego Metropolitan Offers Energy Loan Programs

Homeowners in San Diego County can now access low-interest unsecured loans to finance upgrades that include energy efficiency and solar energy systems. San Diego Metropolitan Credit Union (SDMCU) is offering its members a contractor-driven program with rates beginning at 5.99% and going up to 9.99%.

The loan program has two loan categories: one for energy efficiency home improvements that includes Solar Thermal water systems, and one for solar photovoltaic ( PV) systems.

Nearly a dozen local contractors have already signed up with the program and many more have applications that are pending, according to Marshall Tannenberger, SDMCU vice president of lending.

Here are some lending program highlights:

• Single-family residential homes located in San Diego County
• Loan term up to 15 years
• Up to $25,000 for energy efficiency improvements
• Up to $50,000 for solar photovoltaic systems
• A loan loss reserve account with contractor participation
• Minimum 650 credit score

"Low interest rates and an extended loan term is exactly what we need to help jump-start the home performance industry," said Jack Clark, CCSE's senior retrofit program manager. For more information, contact SDMCU loan officials Jeannette Kelbaugh at (619) 278-5714 or Nena Diaz at (619) 278-5812.

Navy Family Among First to Energy Upgrade

"Oh my gosh, this is awesome," gushed Amber Celani as she described her reactions to a recent home energy upgrade performed by Get Green Remodeling. Amber and her husband Jim, a Navy lieutenant commander, have been in their Tierrasanta home for a year and have the distinction of being one of the first families to take advantage of Energy Upgrade California in the San Diego area.

As Amber explained, "The reason we got into the energy upgrade was to save money. However, one of the greatest benefits has been the comfort and reduced allergic reactions our children experience." Amber is eager and proud to tell you how her children, two daughters and a son, are sleeping better during allergy seasons, no longer waking up like "zombies."

During an interview, the Celanis confirmed that the most important aspects of the upgrade process and working with a contractor are all about keeping the customer informed and common courtesies. Among their comments:

• They did what they said they were going to do.
• They cleaned up after themselves.
• They answered my questions with real explanations, not just telling me how much money it would be.
• They explained the audit process and what each test meant.

Congratulations to the Celanis and to Christian Asdal at Get Green Remodeling for a successful energy upgrade!

Featured Contractor

Christian Asdal, President
Get Green Remodeling, Inc.

Christian Asdal, a seasoned general contractor who focused his business on home energy retrofitting by founding Get Green Remodeling in 2008, says he sees Energy Upgrade California as an "unprecedented opportunity" for homeowners to learn about comfort, health and energy-saving issues. "Through this education, our customers are empowered to make choices that balance their home's needs, their lifestyle goals and their budget," Asdal said.

"So many homes were built inefficiently throughout the years, and with the proper assessment, changes can be made so homes function as intended," Asdal added. "Retrofitting a home for optimum performance can go a long way toward reducing our environmental impact on the local, regional and global level. Together we can all make changes to improve and strive to be better."

Asdal reports that since Energy Upgrade California got under way, he has seen an uptick in home energy assessment work and has already added an employee since beginning participation in the program.

"We're excited about offering our clients and San Diego residents a whole house approach to indoor comfort and energy savings," Justo said. "We are seeing interest from homeowners who are taking the time to listen."

Contractor FAQs

Q: Can a home qualify for a Basic upgrade if any of the required Basic measures are already installed?
A: No. In order to qualify for a Basic upgrade, the home must have all of the following elements: attic insulation below R19, leaky ducts (hasn't already participated in duct test and seal program and hasn't had ducts sealed within past five years) and air leaks (hasn't already had air sealing in home within past five years to 0.35ACHn). If the home does not have duct work at all, it does not qualify for the Basic upgrade.

Q: What tests do I need to conduct a Basic Path job?
A: A blower door and duct blaster must be used at the start and finish of air sealing and duct sealing work to know when you have reached your prescriptive targets. Record start and stop values in the jobs reporting template. Additionally, a combustion safety test must be performed by an individual with BPI-BA certification at the start and finish of air sealing and duct sealing work.

Q: Can the scope of work change after a pre-retrofit application has been submitted?
Yes. The purpose of the pre-retrofit review is to allow an opportunity for a pre-retrofit verification and confirmation that the home and proposed scope of work qualifies for the program. Changing the scope of work after the pre-retrofit job application has been submitted is common and acceptable in this program, as long as the post-retrofit documentation reflects the actual installed measures, rather than the proposed retrofit measures. Keep in mind that the final modeled energy savings (and therefore the final rebate value) will be determined by the actual installed post-retrofit conditions of the home.

Event Calendar


Contractor Orientation Workshop
Wednesday, July 13, 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Tuesday, August 2, 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Basic Building Performance Workshop
Wednesday, July 13 – Friday, July 15
Monday, August 8 – Wednesday, August 10

TOP HVAC Home Performance Sales & Marketing Workshop
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Energy Upgrade California for Homeowners
Thursday, July 21 (evening)
Tuesday, August 2 (midday)
Thursday, August 25 (evening)

Full calendar and registration at energycenter.org/upgrade.

Building Science Tip

A home furnace is supposed to take indoor air (via the return), heat or cool it, and then deliver it back to individual rooms via the supply registers. That's the theory. In many homes the air path travels through venting that leaks so that most of the return air is actually drawn from the attic, garage and crawl spaces. These are not the best sources of conditioned air for homeowners, children or pets. So the tip here is: check the return and test it for duct leakage. Make sure the return grille and pathway to the air handler is big enough for the size of the heating/cooling system. And make sure that pathway is clean enough to eat on!

Program Accomplishments
as of Monday, June 20

Number of Projects Submitted – 91

Average Percentage Energy Savings – 29%

Average Customer Incentive – $2,780

Average Project Cost – $14,029

Start Promoting
Your Energy
Upgrade California Participation Today

Please add the Energy Upgrade California logo web button to your company website. In addition, be proud to add the tagline: "Participating Contractor of the Energy Upgrade California Program." This will add continued credibility to your business and the entire program.

Please do not add the California Center for Sustainable Energy, San Diego Gas & Electric, San Diego County, San Diego City or basically any other entity logo besides Energy Upgrade California.

You can visit the Energy Upgrade California contractor portal for a sample of the web button. If you have any questions, please contact Mitch Moore, brand manager, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
or by phone at (858) 634-4742.