Lower Home Energy Costs with Limited Time Rebates

Santa Barbara County property owners who install two or more qualifying energy-saving features with a combined point value of 100 or more can earn a limited time rebate of $1,000 low cost financing and a recently reenacted $500 federal tax credit. Homeowners must work with an emPowerSBC Flex Path participating contractor and financing is available through emPowerSBC’s local lending partners.

Qualifying retrofit projects for the Flex Path program include cost effective improvements such as adding wall and crawlspace insulation, replacing inefficient furnaces with an Energy Star furnace; changing out single-pane windows with insulated Energy Star windows, installing a tankless water heater, using Energy Star light fixtures and more. Consumers can pick from a menu of improvements and develop a project that meets their specific needs. “The homeowners we’ve talked to about the program really like the flexibility it provides,” said emPowerSBC program manager Angie Hacker. “It allows them to do smaller, more affordable projects that are quick and convenient.” A complete list of Flex Path projects and their point values is available at www.empowersbc.org/about-program/eligible-projects/flex-path-upgrade.

Homeowners interested in the Flex Path program should consider getting a home energy assessment from one of emPowerSBC’s participating contractors to help determine what types of upgrades would be most beneficial. Contractors are enthusiastic about the program, because it offers a streamlined paperwork process. To see a list of the contractors, visit www.empowersbc.org/its-easy-get-started/find-contractor.

Applications for Flex Path are available on the website (www.empowersbc.org) and must be submitted no later than May 15, 2013. Rebates will be issued as long as funding remains available.

For more information on the Flex Path and other energy –saving programs, visit the empowersbc.org website at www.empowersbc.org or call emPowerSBC staff at (805) 568-3514

About emPowerSBC:

emPowerSBC was developed by the County of Santa Barbara to help homeowners countywide achieve a more comfortable, healthier and energy efficient home while lowering utility bills. Through a partnership with local lenders, CoastHills Federal Credit Union and Ventura County Credit Union, emPowerSBC provides low cost, long term financing to assist homeowners in making home energy upgrades. emPowerSBC is funded by California utility ratepayers and administered by Southern California Gas Company, Southern California Edison Company and Pacific Gas & Electric under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission, the US Department of Energy BetterBuildings program and the California Energy Commission with American Recovery and Reinvestment Act dollars.