Updated — ME2 Berkeley City-wide Single Family/Duplex Rebates

Keith

On July 6, the City of Berkeley accepted applications for rebates funded by federal stimulus funds for comprehensive energy audits and home performance improvements.  Rebates can be used to help offset the cost of qualified energy audits and improvements.  The amount of the rebate will be based on the measured improvement in your home’s energy performance.

Updates –

The lottery was conducted and all registered applicants were notified whether they received a reservation or were put on the waitlist.  All applicants, regardless of whether they are on the waitlist or not, must return a copy to the City of Berkeley of their signed application within 2 weeks of registering online.

The audit and all improvement work must be conducted after July 6, 2010 and prior to the expiration of the reservation.  Applicants have four months to complete the work but may obtain an additional two month extension if they have a signed contract with a vendor. Awardees will be eligible for payment upon completion of the project.

Next steps: What to do if you…

1.  Have a reservation:
Clients must complete audit, improvements and submit all documentation to receive a rebate within 120 days of their rebate reservation or before January 12, 2011 (whichever is later). A 60 day extension will be available if the property is under contract with a registered service provider.

For audits and improvements to be eligible for Citywide Single Family/Duplex ME2 rebates, all work MUST be performed by service providers registered with the City of Berkeley and included on the Registered Service Provider List.  You will have 120 days to complete your work and submit your documentation for your rebate.  Audits and improvements must be performed by service providers that have registered with the City and adhere to the City’s standards. Registered service providers are in no way endorsed or recommended by the City of Berkeley.  Standard practice is to get a minimum of three (3) bids and check references prior to hiring a contractor.

• Pre-Project Audit Rebates: Choose an auditor from the Registered Service Provider List to perform your energy audit.  Once hired, your auditor will assess the house, conduct tests, review energy use and provide you with an Home Energy Assessment Report and Recommendation. If you decide to proceed with the improvement, your audit rebate will be paid when you file for the improvement rebate. If you do not choose to do any improvements, you may request a $200 per unit audit rebate by submitting the pre-project audit report and the contractor’s invoice to ME2 at the Office of Energy and Sustainable Development.
• Improvement Rebates: The improvement rebate will be based on the post-project audit’s estimate of the percentage of savings resulting from the improvements that your contractor makes. Rebates for both the audit and improvements will be paid to clients upon completion of the improvement work and filing of required documentation.  Rebates for the audit are $200 and for the improvements will be based on the change in simulated energy usage, as determined by an energy auditor.  A minimum change of 20% is required for an improvement rebate.
• CESC’s SmartSolar Program: You can also receive a FREE SmartSolar Solar Assessment for your property in addition to the rebate for your energy efficiency audit! Simply call SmartSolar at 510-981-7750 or email them at smartsolar@ebenergy.org.  They will gather some basic information and produce a solar estimate that will clearly explain your options for solar photovoltaic voltaic and thermal, including system sizing, costs, rebates, and incentives that will save you money.  It’s all free!  SmartSolar is your independent Solar Advisor, a program of the non-profit Community Energy Services Corporation.

2.  Are on the waitlist:
If reservation space opens up, clients will be automatically be provided with a reservation number and notified.

• PG&E Rebate Program: You can still apply for a rebate for energy efficiency improvements through the PG&E Rebate Program.  This program, developed for use by ME2 applicants and others will provide you $2,000 for a 20% improvement with an additional $500 for each 5% improvement, up to a maximum of $3,500.  The PG&E rebates are available whether or not you receive an ME2 award but are limited to 400 homes in Berkeley and other cities.  Your registered vendor can sign you up.  The Registered Service Provider List is now available.  All vendors on Berkeley’s list are also on the PG&E list. You must use a vendor from this list, in order for work to be eligible for either program’s rebates.
• CESC’s SmartSolar Program: The SmartSolar program will pay $200 towards your energy efficiency home audit by a registered vendor from the City’s list and provide a FREE SmartSolar Solar Assessment along with it! Contact SmartSolar at 510-981-7750 or email smartsolar@ebenergy.org for more information. The SmartSolar Program offers extensive solar consultation so you not only save energy, but create your own with solar.  SmartSolar, your independent and free solar advisor, will gather some basic information and produce a free solar estimate that will explain your options for solar photovoltaic and thermal, including system sizing, costs, rebates, and incentives designed to save you money.

3.  Did not yet apply for ME2, but are interested in energy improvements for your home:
All the funding for single-family and duplex properties is currently reserved with a substantial waitlist. You can still apply at this time but you will automatically be added to the end of the waitlist.  Although it is unlikely that any new applications will be awarded reservations due to limited funding, you may still wish to apply in the event that additional funding becomes available. The program will end when the available federal funds are paid out.

In the meantime, check out: Additional Resources for Residential Energy Efficiency

Rebates for Improvements Such As:

• Comprehensive Energy Audit
• Attic, Wall & Floor Insulation
• Draft and Duct Sealing
• Energy Efficient Lighting Improvements
• Door, Window, Furnace & Water Heater Replacements

The more your improvements reduce energy use, the larger the rebate!  See chart for rebate amounts:

Eligibility and Requirements:

To apply for a rebate, you must be an owner of a single family or duplex property located within the City of Berkeley who is not in default on property taxes nor has any City or County liens pursuant to defaults on other payments, fines or judgments.  Applicants must agree to all terms and conditions.

If you meet either condition below, associated federal requirements will apply:

1. Properties not owned by an individual or family trust are subject to Federal Davis Bacon prevailing wage rules. You must include these requirements in the terms with your improvement contractor.  For wage determination and compliance information please visit the Government Printing Office website:  http://www.gpo.gov/davisbacon/

2. Certain work on the exterior of buildings that are on the National Historic Registry or are a designated local landmark is subject to review requirements.  Check the Berkeley Historic Property List to make sure your property does not fall under these requirements.  Energy efficiency work on the interior of the building has been exempted from these requirements. Or, for more information, please visit: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/wip/pdfs/historic_preservation_doe_prototype_pa.pdf.

For information on designated buildings and how to comply, please call ME2 at 510-981-7438.

Eco Performance Builders is a certified contractor for the Me2 program.  If you missed your opportunity to participate in this program you are still eligible for the PG&E Pilot program and many more incentives.  Give us a call and find out more – 925-229-3517

Courtesy of The City of Berkeley http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/ContentDisplay.aspx?id=55126