Incentive programs are one way to change the way people think about how they use energy. Energy Upgrade California aims to do just that: reward homeowners with rebates for taking a holistic approach to their home energy use.
In collaboration with the Chapter’s Green Building Committee, the Angeles Chapter Foundation has been designated an Energy Champion, which allows it to earn funds based on the number of Sierra Club members and their friends who take advantage of the energy upgrade program.
Here’s how it works: Single-family homes are assessed for general energy efficiency, carbon monoxide, gas leaks, etc., energy bills are analyzed and changes and upgrades are suggested to save energy and money on utility bills.
If a homeowner makes significant changes – like reducing energy use by a whopping 40 percent via the upgrades – he or she may receive as much as $4,000 in rebates from Los Angeles County and $4,000 from Southern California Edison, the Southern California Gas Co. or the city of Long Beach Gas & Oil. (In Orange County the rebate offer is set at up to $4,000.
The Angeles Chapter Foundation receives up to $500 for each upgraded home.
For more information on the program, contact Lore Pekrul at (310) 529-2026 or email. com and check out the link energyupgradeca. org.