In conjunction with Rappahannock Electric Corporative and Old Dominion Electric Corporative, the new program will offer incentives for energy improvements to certain counties in Central Virginia in a program administered by LEAP.
Setember 1, 2012/Charlottesville, VA –The Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP) has partnered with Rappahannock Electric Cooperative (REC) and Old Dominion Electric Cooperative (ODEC) to offer a pilot energy efficiency program for REC members in the counties of Albemarle, Louisa, Greene, Madison, and Orange.
LEAP runs an already-established residential energy efficiency program in Central Virginia which has completed over 650 energy retrofits. LEAP’s Home Performance with ENERGY STAR program includes a network of highly-trained, pre-qualified contractors who inspect homes for energy efficiency opportunities, and recommend and install improvements. LEAP visits the home post retrofit to provide third-party quality assurance inspections on most of these jobs prior to issuing the homeowner a Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Certificate.
Rappahannock Electric Cooperative (REC) is offering free in Home Energy Reviews to their members, which include a Home Energy Score and checklist of cost effective improvements homeowners can make. Reviews are performed by a BPI Certified Building Analyst. REC members are then eligible for the following incentives to lower the cost of making applicable improvements through LEAP’s Home Performance with ENERGY STAR program:
• Heat Pump Tune Up $75
• Duct Sealing $200
• Air Sealing $300
• Insulation $300
The cap per member is set at 25% of project cost up to $600, so a homeowner can take advantage of more than one incentive for improvements. In addition, REC incentives can be combined with LEAP’s Home Performance with ENERGY STAR or Better Basics rebates if the member lives the counties of Green, Albemarle, or Louisa – lowering the cost of their energy upgrade by up to $1600. Members in all counties are eligible for a low interest PowerSaver loan through the University of Virginia Credit Union to finance their energy upgrades.
One of the objectives of this pilot is to help members better manage their energy use and make their homes more affordable. For REC members a reduction in energy use equates to lower energy bills. In addition, the program could benefit REC members by reducing the co-op’s peak demand load, which lowers costs system wide. However, participating REC members will likely be most satisfied with a more comfortable home and excellent customer service provided by their Co-op and Co-op partners like LEAP.
http://www.myrec.coop/res/save-energy/home-performance-with-energy-star.cfm
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