SF Home Energy Efficiency Program
SF Home Energy Efficiency Program
(July 27, 2011)
Assessor-Recorder Ting Partnering with Department of Environment to Promote, Record Energy Upgrades
Recent ASR Report Shows Homes Increase in Value with Upgrades and City Gets More in Revenues When Homes 'Go Green'
To support and enhance a new San Francisco Department of Environment (SFE) program incentivizing homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their homes, Assessor-Recorder Phil Ting announces the creation of a certification system to document conservation improvements made to homes in the City and that these improvements will be added to the property records his office maintains.
SFE began SF Home Improvement & Performance (SFHIP) in April 2011 and partnered with the Assessor-Recorder's office to notify every homeowner of the program. Information about the program and rebates are going out in the Notices of Assessed Value provided to every homeowner in San Francisco by the Assessor-Recorder's office.
The deadline to receive the full $7,000 in rebates is August 31st, after which the maximum incentive is $6,000. Information about SFHIP is online at http://www.sfenvironment.org/our_programs/interests.html?ssi=6&ti=14&ii=50
The Assessor-Recorder's announcement comes after the office recently released a report showing homes that get environmentally-friendly upgrades sell for more than comparable homes without environmental improvements. The report can be found on the Assessor-Recorder's website: http://sfassessor.org/Modules/ShowDocument.aspx?documentid=876
"Helping the Department of Environment get the word out to San Franciscans about improving the energy efficiency and reducing the environmental footprint of homes is a no brainer," says Assessor-Recorder Ting. "Simply put: when homeowners go green, they get green. Not only do homeowners save money right away on their energy bills, but they will see an increase in their home values."
The SF Home Improvement & Performance is part of Energy Upgrade California (EUC), a statewide program run by the utility companies and funded by the public goods charge. The EUC program represents $4,000 of the possible $7,000 that SF homeowners can receive. The $3,000 contributed by SFHIP are stimulus funds that come from the federal Department of Energy.
In an effort to help city homeowners afford energy-efficient home improvements, SFE has partnered with Energy Upgrade California to develop the San Francisco Home Improvement & Performance program. Making home energy improvements helps save money on electricity and gas bills, make your home more comfortable and healthful and increase the overall value of your home.
The first step to take advantage of this program is to call one of our specially trained contractors and schedule a home assessment. The contractor will recommend customized, cost-effective measures that will make homes as energy-efficient as possible. The more energy a homeowner saves, then the more in rebates they can receive. Some of the projects that qualify include:
- Adding insulation
- Air sealing around windows, walls and crawl spaces
- Upgrading or installing high efficiency heating and cooling systems
- Upgrading a water heater or boiler
Certified SFHIP contractors will ensure homeowners get the most out of home energy upgrades and that homeowners receive the highest incentive for which they are eligible. Contractors also do all the paperwork so homeowners don't have to.
Once the work is complete the contractor will test again for home safety and to confirm energy savings. The contractor will complete the paperwork so that the incentives are received and deducted from the amount you owe the contractor.
To be eligible for the incentives you must own and live in a single family home and be a PG&E gas and electric customer.
"Residential properties represent more than one-fifth of San Francisco's carbon footprint, so we need to do everything we can to encourage homeowners to save and conserve energy," says Department of Environment Director Melanie Nutter. "San Francisco is becoming a world leader in environmental sustainability and the Home Improvement and Performance program further demonstrates our city's and residents' commitment to conservation.
(July 19, 2011)
Mayor Edwin M. Lee today introduced legislation at the Board of Supervisors updating the Municipal Green Building Code to require U.S. Green Building Councils Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification for all municipal construction and major renovation projects over 5,000 square feet after September 1, 2011. Currently, only LEED Silver certification is required for municipal buildings, while LEED Gold is required for private sector buildings starting in 2012. This legislation updates green building standards for municipal construction projects that will secure San Francisco's place as a national leader in resource efficient building.
"Now that we have developed high standards for new construction and existing commercial buildings, it is time to turn our attention to municipal building practices," said Mayor Lee. "This legislation will make City departments pursue LEED Gold certification ahead of the schedule currently required for the private sector. San Francisco once again is leading by example."
"San Francisco was just named the Greenest City in North America in a study by Siemens and the Economist Intelligence Unit, and its legislation like LEED Gold for municipal buildings that keeps us at the forefront," said Environment Department Director Melanie Nutter. "Not only is this legislation good for the environment, it helps support the building and energy efficiency component of our burgeoning green economy."
San Francisco already has the most stringent standards for new commercial and residential construction, requiring U.S. Green Building Council's LEED Gold certification by 2012, as well as legislation requiring the owners of existing commercial buildings to benchmark energy use and conduct regular energy efficiency audits.
The LEED Gold requirement for municipal projects puts San Francisco in the company of only nine other municipalities in the country with this high standard for new construction. San Francisco is one of only three jurisdictions in the country that require LEED Gold certification for major renovations, and the only jurisdiction that places LEED requirements on City leaseholds.
Other provisions of the proposed ordinance include date-certain retrofit requirements for energy-efficient lighting and high-efficiency toilets, urinals and showerheads in City facilities. New and renovated City buildings will reduce energy use by at least 15 percent and reduce water use by at least 30 percent compared to conventional buildings. Many City projects will exceed these levels with commensurate resource and dollar savings to the City.
San Francisco currently has 52 municipal projects seeking LEED certification including three museums, two hospitals, 10 branch libraries, five recreation centers, a new office building, and an airport terminal totaling nearly six million square feet, at a value of over $3 billion.
