Green Homes Special Series: Part Thirteen: Programs to Help Homeowners with Energy Efficiency

A geothermal unit installed in a Chicago bungalow provides an efficient means to heat and cool the home. (c) Historic Chicago Bungalow Association In addition to the energy-savers grants and appliance vouchers for purchase of energy-efficient appliances, the HCBA sponsors bungalow improvement seminars throughout the year Small City Efforts Parkland, a community of about 21,000 in Broward County, Fla., took the first strides in a new energy efficiency program this year. Households and businesses now have even more reasons to go green with a reward program created by Vice Mayor Jared Moskowitz and implemented with the assistance of Environmental Resources Director Brian Archer. According to Archer, residents can submit applications for cash-back rewards in 12 areas, including buying a hybrid car ($200), replacing incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescents (up to $100 maximum payout), installing an ultra low-flow toilet ($150), replacing an air conditioner with a high-efficiency unit ($100) and duct system test and repair ($50). There is only one reward per incentive per household and specific criteria must be met. With communities facing increasing financial restraints, Parkland plans to review its reward budget each year. Archer emphasized that the program does not involve any new taxes and that revenue other than property taxes is used. The program has had good reactions with many people calling about to get more information, says Archer. “A lot of people are planning ahead, perhaps to change out their air conditioning unit or get a hybrid car.” Seven people had already submitted reward applications by mid-July for changing out their air conditioning units. Large City Initiative San Francisco continues to build on its reputation as a progressive city with its latest environmental initiative. On July 1, it introduced GoSolarSF, a 10-year, $3.5 million-a-year program that proposes to see thousands of city residents and businesses put solar panels on their rooftops. The program will pay residents $3,000 to $6,000 toward the purchase of the systems. Low-income residents can qualify for extra funds. Adding the city incentive to the California Solar Initiative, a state rebate program, and federal tax credits could cut the cost of each project to half ($11,000 to $15,000) of what a typical household solar setup might be. The initiative was the product of a solar energy task force, says Tony Winnicker, a spokesperson for the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission. The task force looked at how to increase solar energy in this city which has abundant sunlight but less than 1,000 rooftops with solar panels. When research discovered that installation in the city was more expensive than in surrounding counties, it was decided to offer a program to help pay for the desired change.

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