Updates to the Virginia Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program

If you have purchased replacement windows, doors or skylights and are taking advantage of the Virginia Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program, it appears that some of the forms have been updated. The original Checklist for Cost Documentation required the contractor give a cost savings estimate and an explanation of how the savings benefits were calculated. The new Checklist does not require this information. The Energy Efficiency Measures Requirements state that estimates are not mandatory for these items.

The Virginia Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program allows Virginia residents to claim up to $2,000 towards the costs of making residential improvements such as more energy efficient central air conditioning, heat pumps and furnaces, boilers, water heaters, windows, insulation and programmable thermostats. Virginia set aside $7 million for the program which began taking reservations for the available rebates on November 4, 2009 and stopped on November 18th after the funding was exhausted.

A second round of rebate funding will be available some time in the future.

The "Cash for Caulkers" Program

President Obama released more details about his "Cash for Caulkers" program, called HOMESTAR, that he hopes will soon become law.

The program will use rebates direct to consumers to help with the purchase of energy-saving investments for the home such as insulation, duct sealing, water heaters, HVAC units, windows, roofing and doors. Under the Silver Star Rebate, consumers can choose a combination of upgrades for rebates up to $3000 per home. The Gold Star Rebate program would be for homeowners interested in a whole home energy audit and retrofits that would achieve a 20% energy savings. The program will call for using products primarily made in the US and will require installation by certified contractors. Field audits by independent quality assurance providers would ensure that the installation was done properly.

The administration says that the program will create “tens of thousands of jobs,” save consumers between $200 and $500 each year in energy costs, and reduce energy use equivalent to three coal-fired power plants each year.

It’s estimated that the program would cost about $6 billion and would see participation by about 3 million households.

Of course, the details are still being worked out and Congress has not signed the bill into law although a similar proposal has been included in the Senate Democrats’ Jobs Agenda.

For more information, see the White House’s press release about the program.

Virginia Opens Its Solar and Wind Incentive Program

If you are interested in adding solar or wind power to your home or commercial space in Virginia, you may be eligible for a rebate.

An online form to request a conditional reservation of funds from the Virginia Residential and Commercial Solar and Wind Incentives Program is available here: http://www.dmme.virginia.gov/DE/ARRA-Public/SEPRebate.shtml

Virginia Residential and Commercial Solar and Wind Incentive rebates will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are exhausted. A two-step process will be used to allocate the money. First, applicants will request a conditional reservation of funds. Each request will be reviewed by DMME. When a reservation is approved, funds will be set aside while the applicant is allowed up to 180 days to complete work. The second part of the rebate process requires the applicant who successfully reserved funds to provide documentation of costs and compliance with all program requirements in order to receive a rebate check. That part of the process cannot be completed now. No cost and compliance documentation will be accepted and no rebates will be processed for 45 days after the online reservation system is opened, which occurred on Nov. 4, 2009.

Applications for rebate reservations that are submitted after funds have been exhausted will be placed on a wait list in the order of submission. If additional funds become available, the funds will be reserved for wait-listed applicants in the order that they applied until funds are exhausted.

Questions about the Virginia Residential and Commercial Solar and Wind Incentive Program should be directed to the following email address: FAQrenew@dmme.virginia.gov. Questions will be answered by DMME and posted to a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on the website for the program, here: http://www.dmme.virginia.gov/DE/ARRA-Public/SEPRebate.shtml.

Virginia is offering a rebate for energy efficient home improvements

The Virginia Energy Efficiency Rebate Program is now available. Check out my prior post on how the program works.

An online form to request a conditional reservation of funds from the Virginia Energy Efficiency Rebate Program is available at http://www.dmme.virginia.gov/DE/ARRA-Public/SEPRebate.shtml.

Virginia Energy Efficiency Rebates will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are exhausted. A two-step process will be used to allocate the money. First, applicants will request a conditional reservation of funds. When a reservation is confirmed, funds will be set aside while the applicant is allowed up to 180 days to complete work. The second part of the rebate process requires the applicant who successfully reserved funds to provide documentation of costs and compliance with all program requirements in order to receive a rebate check.

Applications for rebate reservations that are submitted after funds have been exhausted will be placed on a wait list in the order of submission. If additional funds become available, the funds will be reserved for wait-listed applicants in the order that they applied until funds are exhausted.

Questions about the Virginia Energy Efficiency Rebate Program should be directed to the following email address: FAQefficient@dmme.virginia.gov. Questions will be answered by DMME and posted to a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on the website for the program, at http://www.dmme.virginia.gov/DE/ARRA-Public/SEPRebate.shtml.

Virginia’s Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program

Great news, Virginians! Rebates for energy efficiency improvements and retrofits made by Virginia homeowners for the replacement of residential equipment and materials such as central air conditioning, heat pumps and furnaces, boilers, water heaters, windows, insulation and programmable thermostats will soon become available.

The rebates total $7 million for residential improvements (there is another $8 million for commercial improvements). Homeowners will be eligible to receive rebates up to $2,000 plus up to $250 of the cost of having an energy audit conducted by a certified auditor.

It’s all first-come, first serve with a web-based reservation and application process which will go “live” in a couple of weeks. Applicants can reserve funding for proposed projects and will be allowed four months to complete the project and provide the documentation before the rebate is approved.

There is not much more detail on the program yet. But if you would like to sign up for news about the rebate program, visit http://www.virginia.gov/eerebates and register for further updates. You will receive notice when the rebate reservation system goes live.

The rebates are being funded with federal stimulus money from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.