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Services for Residents
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Are you looking for ways to save energy and money at home? The Silicon Valley Energy Watch and our partners provide energy efficiency services for qualifying customers. There are also many easy things that you can do now to dramatically reduce your energy bills at no or low cost.
Spotlight: New Programs and Resources
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Home Audits and Retrofit Services
If you are looking for a home energy audit and efficiency upgrade, a number of options are available to you.
The new statewide energy efficiency program, Energy Upgrade California, is available to all California homeowners. This exciting new program provides a streamlined web portal for home energy upgrades, available rebates, qualified contractors, and more.
PG&E’s Energy Partners program provides income-qualified households with easy, free solutions to help reduce your energy use and save money on your monthly energy bills. Visit the website for details and qualifications. And check back in late 2010 for an exciting new program: the Silicon Valley Energy Watch will be initiating an expanded program, Neighborhood Energy Action, to expand the benefits of the Energy Partners program to even more Santa Clara County residents.
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federally-funded program that helps low-income households with their home energy bills. LIHEAP can help you stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer. By doing so, you can reduce the risk of health and safety problems such as illness, fire or eviction. Sacred Heart Community Service operates this energy assistance program for Santa Clara County.
For non income qualified residents, a number of options are available for home energy audits and upgrades. Free online home energy analyzers are available. Visit PG&E to access the free energy savings calculators and the SmartEnergy Analyzer™.
External Home Audit Services
There are many private and non profit audit and retrofit providers. To find qualified contractors near you:
- California Building Performance Contractors Association - Have a real impact on the comfort, energy use, and environmental impact of your home. Hire a Energy Upgrade California contractor and qualify for home performance rebates.
- CalCERTS - Find qualified Home Energy Rating System Providers near you.
- CHEERS - Find qualified Home Energy Rating System Providers near you.
- Build It Green – Find green building information, tips, and certified GreenPoint Raters.
Learn More and Go Further
Whether you’re a renter or homeowner, you can achieve significant savings on your electricity bill by taking simple, free and low-cost steps. Follow the Home Energy Saving Tips to find hidden savings opportunities throughout your home. Borrow a Kill A Watt™ meter at any public library in Santa Clara County to find out how much your electronics and electric appliances are contributing to your monthly bill. To learn more about the energy efficiency resources and opportunities available to you, we invite you to explore the following pages:
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Rebates
- Homeowner Tax Credits
Existing homeowners may qualify for tax credits for energy efficient home improvements made in 2009 and 2010 up to a maximum of $1,500. Eligible improvements include: installing efficient new windows, insulation, doors, roofs, and heating and cooling equipment. Eligibility will vary dependant on when items were installed. To receive the tax credit, you will need to file IRS Form 5695 with your taxes. You must keep receipts proving that you purchased the improvements and a copy of the manufacturer’s certification. Accountants and tax advisors may be able to provide more guidance.
- PG&E Residential Rebates
PG&E offers its customer’s rebates on appliances, general improvements, heating & cooling, pool pumps and motors, appliance recycling, and energy efficient lighting.
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Financial Assistance
California and PG&E provide several financial assistance programs to assist with weatherization, energy efficient measures, medical baseline rates and rate reductions for both renters and homeowners. The specific programs are:
- Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
- Balanced Payment Plan
- California Alternative Rates for Energy (CARE)
- Services for Medical Baseline and Life Support Customers
- Relief for Energy Assistance through Community Help (REACH
- Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA)
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