Energy Saving Information for Homeowners & Developers
For Homeowners & Renters:
Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program
LIHEAP is a federal program that provides assistance to eligible low-income households to meet the home’s heating or cooling needs. Customers must meet an income threshold that is determined by number of persons in household. For example, through 2015, a household size of 4 may be eligible if annual income is less than $46,082. For more information on LIHEAP, call 916-576-7109 or visit www.csd.ca.gov/services/helppayingutilitybills
LIHEAP also provides weatherization services to assist the public. The program provides free energy efficiency upgrades to low-income households to lower their monthly utility bills.
For more information on LIHEAP, call 916-576-7109 or visit www.csd.ca.gov/Services/ResidentialEnergyEfficiencyServices
PG&E Energy-Savings Rebate
Each year, PG&E publishes a residential rebates catalog. When customers upgrade or replace non-energy efficient appliances to a listed more energy-efficient product, they can receive a rebate from PG&E.
For more information on participating appliances, call 1-800-933-9555 or visit www.pge.com/en/myhome/saveenergymoney/rebates/index.page
California Weatherization Assistance Program California
WAP is a federally-funded grant program that is intended to increase the energy efficiency of low-income households. The program is designed to lower total home heating and cooling costs, as well as improve the health and safety of families.
Eligibility for WAP is based upon household size and income. Low-income households or households with elderly, children, or the disabled have priority. For example, through 2015, a household size of 4 may qualify if annual income does not surpass $46,082.
Common weatherization practices include sealing the holes and cracks around windows; retrofitting windows, ensuring proper levels of insulation and making sure your heating and A/C systems are working correctly.
For Tulare County residents, the local weatherization service provider is Community Services & Employment Training, Inc.
For more information, contact CSET at 559-732-4194 or stop by the office at 312 N.W. 3rd Ave. Visalia, CA 93291
More information: www.csd.ca.gov/Services/FindServicesinYourArea/tulare
Solar Water Heaters & Solar Panels (Federal Tax Credit)
Solar water heaters come in a wide variety of designs, all including a collector and storage tank, and all using the sun's thermal energy to heat water. Solar water heaters are typically described according to the type of collector and the circulation system.
At least half of the energy generated by the "qualifying property" must come from the sun. The system must be certified by the Solar Rating and Certification Corporation (SRCC) or a comparable entity endorsed by the government of the state in which the property is installed.
Solar panels must provide electricity for the residence, and must meet applicable fire and electrical code requirements.
Tax credits include installation costs.
For more information, call 1-888-782-7937 or visit www.energystar.gov/about/federal_tax_credits
Geothermal Heat Pumps (Federal Tax Credit)
Geothermal pumps use the ground instead of outside air to provide heating, air conditioning and, in most cases, hot water. Since these pumps use the earth's natural heat, they are among the most efficient and comfortable heating and cooling products available.
Must meet the requirements of the ENERGY STAR program which are in effect at the time of the expenditure.
Tax credits include installation costs.
For more information, call 1-888-782-7937 or visit www.energystar.gov/about/federal_tax_credits
Small Wind Turbine (Federal Tax Credit)
A wind turbine works by the wind turning the blades, which connects to a generator and makes electricity.
Must have a nameplate capacity of no more than 100 kilowatts.
Tax credits include installation costs.
For more information, call 1-888-782-7937 or visit www.energystar.gov/about/federal_tax_credits
Turf Replacement Program
The Department of Water Resources (DWR) has a rebate program for removing turf and replacing it with landscapes that require little water at California single-family residences to support the State's drought response. For more information on the rebate program, please visit www.saveourwaterrebates.com/turf-replacement-rebates.html
For Developers:
Savings By Design
Savings By Design is a program that offers cash incentives and assistance to help developers build high-performance new building design and construction for commercial buildings. Developers who are interested should contact PG&E early in the design process to locate funding, obtain program information and enhance the project’s overall energy savings potential.
Eligibility for Savings By Design is determined by PG&E once the project application is submitted.
• Building owners can receive up to $150,000;
• 10% bonus incentive opportunity, in addition to the building owner incentive;
• Up to $50,000 in design team incentives.
For more information, call 415-973-3803 or visit www.pge.com/en/mybusiness/save/rebates/inc/index.page?WT.mc_id=Vanity_savingsbydesign
Self-Generation Incentive Program
The Public Utilities Commission and PG&E are providing financial incentives for business customers who want to install new, qualifying equipment for generating energy.
Qualifying renewable technologies include:
Wind turbines, advanced energy storage (AES), waste heat to power, biogas, pressure reduction turbines, and fuel cells.
For more information, call 1-877-743-4112 or visit www.pge.com/en/mybusiness/save/solar/sgip.page
California Multi-Family New Homes
CMFNH provides developers incentives to construct multi-family projects that are built to exceed 2013 Title 24 standards.
The programs provides free technical design assistance, green building program coordination, and cash incentives for developers, energy consultant, HERS raters (Home Energy Rating System), and appliances.
For more information, call 1-866-352-7457 or visit www.cmfnh.com