I received an email from a customer a couple of days ago informing me about an energy conservation program being offered by the county he lives in, Sonoma county in Northern California. It’s a very interesting program.
Maybe other counties in California and other states would be interested in offering their residents a similar program.
According to their website, the Sonoma County Energy Independence Program will provide an efficient and affordable new way to dramatically reduce residential and commercial energy use and greenhouse gas emissions in Sonoma County while stimulating the economy through development of clean technology jobs.
They state that their energy independence program is for property owners to finance energy efficiency, water efficiency and renewable energy improvements through a voluntary assessment.
The assessments will be attached to the property, not the owner and will be paid back through the property tax system over time, making the energy efficiency and water efficiency programs affordable.
The Sonoma County Energy Independence Program provides services and funding for a wide range of Energy Star-rated efficiency measures, including many Energy Efficiency measures for which property owners can get rebates as well as SCEIP funding.
The Sonoma County Energy Independence Program offers SCEIP funds for a number of equipment types, including water conservation measures, energy efficiency measures, solar systems, and other innovative, energy-saving and energy generation custom measures.
Some of the residential indoor water conservation measures include:
• High efficiency toilets (average flush volume of 1.28 gallons or less)
• Showerheads (1.5 gpm)
• Bathroom aerators (1.5 gpm)
• Hot water delivery options, as defined by the Energy Star “Volumetric Hot Water Savings Guidelines”
• Demand initiated water softeners, Energy Star rated
• Demand initiated or instantaneous hot water heaters
• Hot water pipe insulation (minimum of R4)
There also residential outdoor water conservation measures including:
• A weather-based, or Smart, irrigation controller.
• Permanently installed rainwater cisterns.
• Drip irrigation systems in gardens, planters and beds.
• Matched precipitation sprinklers.
• Some local jurisdictions permit gray water systems.
Their web site goes into all the details of the aforementioned measures and may more. There are also commercial water conservation measures that apply but I am sticking to residential measures for this article.
On the energy side of the equation here is a list of many of the types of systems that are eligible for inclusion as long as they meet specific requirements available on the website: Check their website for the full list and all the details.
Residential Energy Efficiency Measures.
• Geothermal exchange heat pumps
• HVAC Systems
• Evaporative
• Natural gas storage water heater
• Tankless water heater
• Solar water heater systems,
• Cool roof system
• Reflective roof and cool wall coatings
• Insulation
• Insulated exterior
• Reflective insulation or radiant barriers
• Attic fans
• Windows and glass doors
• Window filming
• Weather-stripping
• Home sealing
• Skylights
• Solar tubes
• Additional building openings to provide addition natural light
• Lighting, Energy Star listed (no bulb only retrofits)
• Pool equipment
• Energy use monitoring systems (fixed/permanent installation)
Energy efficiency, water conservation and renewable energy generation upgrades must be permanently attached to the property to qualify. It must be an existing structure and new construction does not apply. If an Item is not permanently attached like for instance, a dishwasher or washing machine, it is not allowed.
The County of Sonoma anticipates that Energy Star requirements will “ratchet up” to greater efficiency levels over time. Energy Star will also become more inclusive of technologies over time. Thus, the SCEIP will evolve with Energy Star and the market for energy-efficient technologies.
I for one think this is a very progressive program that could very well lead to substantial reductions in energy use and reductions in home owners’ carbon footprints.
For all the details visit: Sonoma County Energy Independence Program
For information about rebates available for the Chilipepper appliance: Hot Water Demand System Rebates
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