HOME ENERGY SOLUTIONS

New Homes

Use the Energy Performance Score to educate prospective customers

As we begin 2010, and enter our second year of the Energy Performance score, visit the trade ally web pages to find out more about tools and messages to further engage your realtors and buyers.

Incentive reservation letter

In 2010, the New Homes program will implement a new process that informs builders that Energy Trust has received preliminary modeling information concerning a new construction project(s) through your Builder Outreach Specialist (BOS). Incentive amounts are only estimates based on preliminary modeling. Final incentives and your Energy Performance Score depend on a combination of actual energy measures implemented, verification and performance testing.

For 2010, Energy Trust incentives will be reserved from funds allocated by the utility that serves the building site. This system will ensure that your funds are reserved and that the New Homes program has the capacity to fulfill its financial obligations to you and the utility funding partners. Terms and conditions regarding funds are outlined in the New Homes Builder Addendum of your trade ally paperwork.

Energy Trust understands construction delays may occur. To continue the reservation of your funds, we will require that you update the New Homes program about your project status through your BOS. If you are unable to schedule a first inspection within 120 days from the date you receive your letter, you must contact your BOS to update your project's progress. If not, you may risk losing some or all of your funds in the event that funds are no longer available. We will continue to hold funds for 60-day increments, and we ask that you continue to contact us with the status of each specific project.

Solar paperwork submission

Starting in 2010, your homes that include renewable energy must have renewable energy paperwork submitted by your solar contractor to Energy Trust within three (3) weeks of the date that your verifier submits the final inspection paperwork to the New Homes program. If the paper work is submitted within the three-week time period, the Energy Performance Score will reflect the home's score with renewable energy when it is sent out with the incentive check. If the renewable energy paperwork is not received within that three-week time frame, the builder will still receive the New Homes incentive check along with an EPS but the EPS will not reflect the home's score with renewable energy.

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 about our program, visit Energy Trust's Home Energy Solutions—New Homes program pages, or contact our at 1.877.283.0698.