California

Incentives/Policies for Renewables & Efficiency

Energy Upgrade California

Last DSIRE Review: 08/09/2012

Program Overview:

State:	California
Incentive Type:	State Rebate Program
Eligible Efficiency Technologies:	Equipment Insulation, Furnaces , Central Air conditioners, Duct/Air sealing, Building Insulation, Windows, Custom/Others pending approval
Applicable Sectors:	Residential, Multi-Family Residential
Amount:	Basic Upgrade Package: $1,000 Advance Upgrade Package: $1,500 - $4,000
Installation Requirements:	Work must be completed by a participating contractor
Funding Source:	The American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) of 2009; State Energy Program
Web Site:	http://www.EnergyUpgradeCA.org/

Summary:

The Energy Upgrade California program serves as a one-stop shop for California homeowners who want to improve the energy efficiency of their homes. The program connects homeowners with qualified contractors, and helps homeowners find all the available incentives from their local utilities and local governments. Interested California homeowners should go to the website listed above and select an eligible contractor to get started. There are two Energy Upgrade packages a homeowner can choose from: the Basic Upgrade Package and the Advanced Upgrade Package.

Basic Upgrade Package
The Basic Upgrade Package offers up to $1,000 for certain energy improvements. A participating contractor will implement these standard improvements as needed and apply for the $1,000 rebate on behalf of the homeowner:

Air sealing
Attic insulation
Duct sealing
Hot water pipe insulation
Thermostat shut-off valve
Carbon monoxide monitor

Advanced Upgrade Package
The Advanced Upgrade Package offers greater incentives for a wider variety of energy improvements. The program begins with a home energy assessment which will identify and prioritize potential energy savings for the home. The homeowner can then select a participating contractor to make the improvements. A rebate between $1,500 and $4,000 will be awarded to the homeowner based on the predicted energy savings, with a minimum required savings of 15%.

This Program is part of the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Better Buildings Program. The DOE has awarded over $500 million in federal funds to more than 40 states, local governments, and organizations to administer local programs targeting a variety of building types. Combined, these local programs are expected to improve the efficiency of more than 170,000 buildings through 2013 and save up to $65 million in energy costs annually.

Disclaimer: The information presented on the DSIRE web site provides an unofficial overview of financial incentives and other policies. It does not constitute professional tax advice or other professional financial guidance, and it should not be used as the only source of information when making purchasing decisions, investment decisions or tax decisions, or when executing other binding agreements. Please refer to the individual contact provided below each summary to verify that a specific financial incentive or other policy applies to your project.

While the DSIRE staff strives to provide the best information possible, the DSIRE staff, the N.C. Solar Center, N.C. State University and the Interstate Renewable Energy Council, Inc. make no representations or warranties, either express or implied, concerning the accuracy, completeness, reliability or suitability of the information. The DSIRE staff, the N.C. Solar Center, N.C. State University and the Interstate Renewable Energy Council, Inc. disclaim all liability of any kind arising out of your use or misuse of the information contained or referenced on DSIRE Web pages.

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