What Is an Energy Upgrade and How Can It Help Your Home?
An energy upgrade for your house. That has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it? It certainly sounds like it will save you money and make your home more energy-efficient But… what does it really mean?
“Energy Upgrade California” is a state program that offers rebates and incentives for you to make home improvements that will save energy, and make you more comfortable as well. To get started with receiving these incentives, you will need to schedule a home energy audit with a reliable contractor. At Mediterranean Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc., we offer quality energy audits to get you on your way to an Energy Upgrade that will not only mean rebates, but lower energy bills and an improved lifestyle.
The energy audit
The first step in applying for the benefits of Energy Upgrade California is to have HVAC professionals do a full energy audit for your home. The purpose of an audit is to locate places where your home is losing energy, whether it’s malfunctioning systems or leaks in the insulation. Auditors use a variety of tools, such as thermal scanners and blower doors, to thoroughly analyze how your home uses energy. The auditors will locate drafty doors, weak attic insulation, poorly designed and leaky duct systems, leaky ventilation shafts, appliances draining more power than they should, and miscalibrated thermostats. When they’ve finished the audit, they will provide you with a list of all the places where you can make adjustments and changes to improve your home’s energy efficiency.
The improvements
The Energy Upgrade California program encourages homeowners to think of their house as a comprehensive energy system, instead of something that needs piece-by-piece repairs. All the parts of your home work together—or work against each other—to save or lose energy. Heat loss through insulation means stress on a furnace. Appliances draining extra power radiate more heat, causing trouble for air conditioners. With the Energy Upgrade California program, you’re encouraged to have contractors perform a full set of upgrades: air sealing, attic insulation, duct dealing, combustion appliance safety testing, and more.
The pay-off
Once you’ve completed your home upgrade, you are eligible for the rebates and incentives of the program, which vary depending on where you live. There are rebates up to $4,500. The rebate is a check mail directly to you from your gas or electric utility.
Get started with that energy audit
Mediterranean Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc. can take care of all your needs for Energy Upgrade California. We can perform the energy audit that will help you lay out the best plan for making your home more efficient. We can then assist you with the Home Upgrade or the Advanced Home Upgrade so you’ll qualify for the benefits of this great program.
