Save the date of June 2 from 7 to 8:30 PM for an informative session on what to do to make your home more energy efficient and learn about options to help pay for the work.
The presentation will be at the Hughes Center, Padua Room where you will meet other Claremont residents who have taken the steps to improve their homes, and you will get a chance to interview the companies that are now performing initial energy assessments here in Claremont. The agenda will also include a summary of incentives, tax benefits, and loans that are available now or are planned for the near future. In fact, this meeting was scheduled so that you can hear about a long-term loan program to be offered throughout Los Angeles County (see below).
Rebates and loan programs can fill up quickly, so we are working hard to get Claremont residents educated on what is coming and how these programs might benefit your household budgets as well as the global environment. Won’t you please join us on the evening of June 2 to meet others who are doing this and get your questions answered.
Recent news
US House of Representatives approves Home Star: Just last week on Thursday, the House passed the Home Star Energy Retrofit Act of 2010 (H.R. 5019) with a vote of 246 to 161! The bill passed with (somewhat) bi-partisan support — 12 Republicans voted in favor.
Loans for Energy Projects: On May 25, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors is scheduled to vote on a program where loans for energy projects are paid back on your property tax bill over 15 to 20 years. Maximum loan amounts are expected to be $50,000, or 10% of the home value, whichever is less. Because of the long term payback, monthly payments will be low; and projects that save energy should produce enough savings to repay the loans.
Current Rebates from the Gas Company and Southern California Edison: Our electric and gas utilities have rebate programs right now for new appliances and for insulation. Also, Edison has a program to deduct money from your utility bill if you permit SCE to periodically turn off, or "cycle," your air conditioner.
Proposed Rebates from Southern California Edison: Our electric utility is considering a proposal for rebates of up to $3,500 per home for comprehensive energy efficiency projects.
Current Federal Tax Incentives: Tax credits of up to 30% of the cost of insulation, water heaters, appliances, biomass stoves, and solar energy are available for the 2010 tax year from the federal government.
Home Star Federal Program, $1,000–$1,500 Silver Star Rebates: Consumers looking to have simple upgrades performed in their homes would be eligible for 50% rebates up to $1,000–$1,500 for doing any of a straightforward set of upgrades, including: insulation, duct sealing, water heaters, HVAC units, windows, roofing and doors. Under Silver Star, consumers can chose a combination of upgrades for rebates up to a maximum of $3,000 per home. Rebates would be limited to the most energy efficient categories of upgrades — focusing on products made primarily in the United States and installed by certified contractors.
Home Star Federal Program, $3000 Gold Star Rebates: Consumers interested in more comprehensive energy retrofits would be eligible for a $3,000 rebate for a whole home energy audit and subsequent retrofit tailored to achieve a 20% energy savings in their homes. Consumers could receive additional rebate amounts for energy savings in excess of 20%. Gold Star would build on existing whole home retrofit programs, like EPA’s successful Home Performance with Energy Star program.
Demystifying Sustainability is an initiative of Sustainable Claremont (sustainableclaremont.org).