An Innovative New Green Home Improvement Financing Program ...

I received an email from a consumer a couple of days ago informing me about an energy conservation program being offered by the county he lives in, Sonoma county in Northern California.? It is a very intriguing program.

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Perhaps other counties in California and other states would be interested in offering their residents a similar program.

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According to their website, the Sonoma County Energy Independence Program will offer an efficient and reasonably priced new way to significantly decrease residential and commercial energy use and greenhouse gas emissions in Sonoma County although stimulating the economy by means of development of clean technologies jobs.

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They state that their energy independence program is for property owners to finance energy efficiency, water efficiency and renewable energy improvements via a voluntary assessment.

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The assessments will be attached to the property, not the owner and will be paid back by way of the property tax program over time, producing the energy efficiency and water efficiency programs affordable.

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The Sonoma County Energy Independence Program supplies services and funding for a wide range of Energy Star-rated efficiency measures, such as numerous Energy Efficiency measures for which property owners can get rebates as properly as SCEIP funding.

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The Sonoma County Energy Independence Program delivers SCEIP funds for a number of equipment sorts, such as water conservation measures, energy efficiency measures, solar systems, and other innovative, energy-saving and energy generation custom measures.

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Some of the residential indoor water conservation measures include:

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High efficiency toilets (average flush volume of 1.28 gallons or less)
Showerheads (1.5 gpm)
Bathroom aerators (1.5 gpm)
Hot water delivery choices, as defined by the Energy Star ?Volumetric Hot Water Savings Guidelines?
Demand initiated water softeners, Energy Star rated
Demand initiated or instantaneous hot water heaters
Hot water pipe insulation (minimum of R4)

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There also residential outdoor water conservation measures such as:

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??????????? A weather-based, or Intelligent, irrigation controller.

??????????? Permanently installed rainwater cisterns.

??????????? Drip irrigation systems in gardens, planters and beds.

??????????? Matched precipitation sprinklers.

??????????? Some neighborhood jurisdictions permit gray water systems.

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Their internet web site goes into all the details of the aforementioned measures and may a lot more. There are also commercial water conservation measures that apply but I am sticking to residential measures for this write-up.

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On the energy side of the equation here is a list of a lot of of the varieties of systems that are eligible for inclusion as long as they meet distinct requirements obtainable on the web site:? Check their website for the full list and all the details.

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Residential Energy Efficiency Measures.

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Geothermal exchange heat pumps
HVAC Systems
Evaporative
Natural gas storage water heater
Tankless water heater
Solar water heater systems,
Cool roof system
Reflective roof and cool wall coatings
Insulation
Insulated exterior
Reflective insulation or radiant barriers
Attic fans
Windows and glass doors
Window filming
Weather-stripping
Property sealing
Skylights
Solar tubes
Further constructing openings to give addition natural light
Lighting, Energy Star listed (no bulb only retrofits)
Pool equipment
Energy use monitoring systems (fixed/permanent installation)

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Energy efficiency, water conservation and renewable energy generation upgrades must be permanently attached to the property to qualify. ?It need to be an existing structure and new construction does not apply. If an Item is not permanently attached like for instance, a dishwasher or washing machine, it is not allowed.

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The County of Sonoma anticipates that Energy Star requirements will ?ratchet up? to higher efficiency levels over time. Energy Star will also grow to be far more inclusive of technologies over time. Therefore, the SCEIP will evolve with Energy Star and the market for energy-efficient technologies.

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I for 1 believe this is a quite progressive program that could quite nicely lead to substantial reductions in energy use and reductions in property owners? carbon footprints.? Full details at the internet site: sonomacountyenergy.org

Source: http://www.tydpf.org/an-innovative-new-green-home-improvement-financing-program.htm

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