Recovery Through Retrofitting

Home energy retrofits can boost Calif. economy

A strong home energy efficiency retrofit market could significantly cut energy use and reduce fossil-fuel dependency while also helping to increase employment and stimulate the state’s economy out of its doldrums, according to Panama Bartholomy, an advisor to the California Energy Commission ( CEC).

Bartholomy was among the numerous speakers at an all-day “San Diego Residential Retrofit Summit” held April 16 at CCSE to discuss the current state of the retrofit market and details on upcoming local, state and federal energy programs.

Representatives from government agencies, utilities, industry trade groups and contractors, small business counselors, educators and others gathered for the summit to focus on the current and upcoming environment for residential retrofit investments and workforce development, according to Ashley Watkins, organizer of the summit and CCSE manager of education and training programs. The summit was cosponsored by CCSE, CEC and SDG&E.

Bartholomy painted a dire picture of California’s economy, emphasizing the struggling construction industry with 25 percent unemployment nationwide, but predicted that by building on the funding opportunities presented by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act ( ARRA), California could lead the nation in jumpstarting a market for energy-efficient and healthy-home retrofitting. The ARRA allocates about $80 billion to projects related to energy and the environment with much of the funds targeted toward improving energy efficiency in buildings and homes.

Among the programs slated for funding is a $6 billion, White House-backed Home Star Energy Retrofit Act, widely known as “cash for caulkers,” which is currently moving through Congress. Doug Donovan of Greener Dawn, a consulting company specializing in energy and water efficiency, said the program would allow homeowners to achieve positive cash-flow results on most projects from day one. If approved, Home Star will provide generous rebates for energy-conserving improvements such as installing better insulating windows and buying more energy-efficient heating and cooling systems.

Don Wiggins, SDG&E energy programs manager, spoke about the statewide Prescriptive Whole House Retrofit Program and SDG&E’s Whole House Performance Program. Both programs are under development for implementation later this year and will provide rebates for energy efficiency investments.

Even with these and other rebate programs in place, up-front costs of retrofitting are still a huge obstacle in these tough economic times, according to Erik Caldwell, policy advisor to San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders. To help alleviate this issue, municipal financing mechanisms have been approved for the San Diego region and are anticipated to roll out this summer.

Created by Assembly Bill 811 and commonly referred to as Property Assessed Clean Energy ( PACE) programs, the City of San Diego’s proposed Clean Generation Program and the county’s CaliforniaFIRST program will offer financing for energy efficiency and renewable energy investments. The loans will be attached to the property instead of the individual home mortgage, and repayment will be assessed on the property tax bill. Therefore, if the homeowner moves before the end of the loan agreement, the obligation will be passed onto the next homeowner.

The summit also focused on ramping up the workforce with green-job training and education. Many of the upcoming energy efficiency and retrofit programs require participating contractors to obtain industry recognized certifications. Representatives from the Building Performance Institute ( BPI), CBPCA, CHEERS and CalCerts Inc. explained the different types of ratings and certificates and how they ensure a standardized method for evaluating, scoring and installing energy efficiency measures.

Various green job training organizations were represented at the summit, demonstrating the strong workforce development infrastructure in the San Diego region. Representatives from San Diego Workforce Partnership, Cuyamaca College, Employment Training Panel and the California Building Performance Contractors Association offered advice on resources and funding available for obtaining training and explained their various workforce services. Each representative stressed the need for a collaborative effort to adequately and effectively train local workers.

Members of the private sector, represented by Green Homes America, Greenwise Solutions and Empowered Energy Solutions, all offered advice on the importance of a well-trained workforce. Homes across the nation are in critical need of upgrades, not only for job creation and cost savings, but also for the safety of the inhabitants. Brett Knox of Green Homes America said, “seven out of 10 homes in the U.S. have one of two leaks – gas or carbon monoxide.”

During an open discussion at the end of the summit, attendees expressed concerns about San Diego’s readiness to implement extensive retrofit programs and provided suggestions for workforce development, with a common theme of a need for providing a streamlined approach to home energy efficiency retrofitting with consistent messaging throughout the state.

Bartholomy challenged participants by asking, “Do we have the commitment to leverage these opportunities?” If the passionate individuals present at the summit are any indication, then the residential retrofit market is shaping up to be a strong force for energy savings and job creation in the San Diego region.

Drew Adams is the associate program manager for CCSE’s California Solar Initiative residential program.

CCSE Retrofit Central Serves You

CCSE has created an online Retrofit Central to serve as a resource of information about current and upcoming retrofitting programs for contractors and the general public. You will also find details about accreditations and certificates, permits, an FAQ and more.

Select presentations from the Residential Retrofit Summit are available online.

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