HOME ENERGY SOLUTIONS
Existing Homes
Important: 2010 Home Energy Solutions incentive changes
In a letter to trade allies dated December 1, Energy Trust announced important changes to select Home Energy Solutions incentives and notification policies for 2010. These changes have been endorsed by Energy Trust's Conservation Advisory Council and went into effect January 1, 2010. The letter includes information about incentive changes for Oregon customers, general updates for all trade allies and changes to the notification policy. Read the letter posted in the Updates section of the trade ally web pages.
Also in December, a follow-up email was sent to trade allies serving NW Natural customers in Washington clarifying the incentive structure for Washington customers that will go into effect February 1, 2010. Read the email here.
If you have any questions, or to receive additional information on the updated incentives, Trade Ally Network or Energy Trust website, contact , trade ally and quality control manager, at 503.715.2301.
Duct sealing incentives available
If an existing duct system is poorly designed or damaged, simple repairs may not be an option, and the system must be replaced entirely. Energy Trust offers incentives for newly-installed duct systems in an existing home. The incentive requirements for new systems do not require you to record initial testing numbers (as required when sealing an existing duct system) and are measured by the overall percentage of leakage, as determined by final testing numbers. To qualify for an incentive on a new duct system, the home's final CFM50 number must be equal to or less than 10 percent of the square footage of the conditioned floor area of the home. For example, if the home is 1,600 total square feet, the target CFM50 measurement is 160.
The available incentive for sealing a new duct system in an existing home is 50 percent of the total cost of duct sealing—up to $400 for a qualifying electric-heated home, and up to $325 for a qualifying gas-heated home. Please note: Homes that have previously received duct sealing incentives are not eligible for additional duct sealing incentives. For complete information on Energy Trust's incentives, download the cash-incentives brochure from the trade ally web pages.
Home Performance with ENERGY STAR®
Home Performance is looking for ways to streamline the application process for homeowners and contractors. To do this, the team is developing a Home Performance-specific application to make data collection and processing easier. Home Performance account managers are currently training contractors to maximize HomeCheck software to collect proper savings for installed improvements.
The Home Performance program will host a 2010 kick-off event for Home Performance contractors. The event will focus on updates and changes for the upcoming year while providing a networking forum for new team members and new contractors. Watch for more information coming soon.
Weatherization Specifications installation tip: sealing penetrations
Caulking, mastic or expanding foam can be used to address air leaks in a home's thermal barrier and keep conditioned air from escaping the home. The Home Energy Solutions Weatherization Specifications Manual requires that penetrations—around plumbing, wiring and ducts—be sealed as part of a complete underfloor insulation job. We strongly encourage air sealing before attic and wall insulation is installed. Fire-rated sealing materials are required when sealing around possible heat-producing fixtures, such as lighting fixtures. Proper baffling techniques should be used when insulating recessed-lighting fixtures that are not rated for insulation contact (non-IC rated fixtures). The Weatherization Specifications Manual contains the complete requirements for installing insulation.
Home Energy Makeover video series inspires ideas
In summer 2009, four Oregon families won home energy makeovers, courtesy of Energy Trust and participating sponsors. Energy Trust's video series catches their whole-home transformations in action. View the series on Energy Trust's Home Performance with ENERGY STAR web pages and watch how these families are able to cut energy costs by up to 50 percent.
Stay up-to-date on the most current incentives
Stay tuned to the Energy Trust website for the most current incentives and incentive brochure.
Be sure to share with your customers the recently updated cash incentives brochure located on the Forms & Resources section of the trade ally web pages.
January training opportunities
Look for new and relevant training opportunities in 2010. Energy Trust will be offering Building Performance Institute certification, detailed incentive training, online opportunities and many more throughout the state. View dates and times for these trainings at least once a month—opportunities from Energy Trust and its partners are being added all the time. You can keep track of events for homeowners, as well. For the latest Energy Trust community events, visit Energy Trust's events & education calendar.
For more information on our program, visit Energy Trust's Home Energy Solutions—Existing Homes program pages or call 1.866.368.7878.