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Overview
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Energy Efficiency First
Before you purchase any renewable energy system, it's important to first maximize the energy efficiency of your
home or business. The smaller your energy needs, the lower your monthly energy bills—and the less you'll
need to spend on a renewable energy system that's capable of meeting your needs.
And now, home and business owners who invest in energy-efficiency upgrades prior to installing a solar electric,
solar hot-water, or wind energy system are eligible to receive enhanced financial incentives of up to double the
standard Focus incentives.
How do enhanced incentives work?
By fully participating in any of the below energy efficiency tracks prior to installing a solar electric, solar hot
water, or wind system, businesses and residents are automatically qualified to receive enhanced incentives from Focus
upon review of appropriate documentation. These enhanced incentives are up to double the
standard Focus financial incentives.
Businesses tracks
Business Focus on Energy Track
- Install(ed) energy efficiency measures approved by Focus on Energy between January 1, 2008 and the date
your renewable energy system becomes operational.
- Installed measures yield annual energy savings equal to or greater than what the renewable energy system
is expected to produce/offset on an annual basis.
ENERGY STAR® Track
- Earn(ed) the ENERGY STAR
label in 2008 or after for the building located at the job site.
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Track
- Submit(ted) a LEED Construction
application or a LEED Combined Design & Construction application for the building located at the job site. The
building must have received, or be expected to receive ONE of the following:
- Three Energy and Atmosphere: Optimize Energy Performance points (the two mandatory points plus one additional point)
through the LEED version 2.2 certification program.
- One Energy and Atmosphere: Optimize Energy Performance point through the LEED version 3 certification programs.
Residential tracks
Apartments & Condos Focus on Energy Track
- Install energy efficiency measures approved by Focus on Energy by the date your renewable energy
system becomes operational.
- Installed measures yield annual energy savings equal to or greater than 75 percent of what the renewable
energy system is expected to produce/offset on an annual basis.
New Homes Program Track
Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Track
- Complete a Home Performance with ENERGY STAR evaluation.
- Implement at least three of the recommended measures: attic insulation, sidewall insulation, sill box insulation,
foundation insulation, air sealing, heating equipment including boilers or furnaces, water heating equipment, or
a new central air conditioner.
- Document your energy efficiency upgrades by having your consultant return to complete a post-test evaluation
Efficient Equipment Installation Track
- Receive an incentive from Focus on Energy for
installing a ground-source (geothermal) heat pump or two of these three options: heating equipment including boilers
or furnaces, water heating equipment, or a central air conditioner.
Energy Conservation Track
- You already use less than 6,500 kilowatt-hours per year in your home and your renewable project will save electricity.
- Submit auditable documentation (i.e., electric bills, utility account summary, etc.) of your home’s electric consumption
for the most recent 12 months along with your renewable application to qualify for the enhanced incentive.
- You already use less than 700 therms per year in your home and your renewable project will save natural gas.
- Submit auditable documentation (i.e., gas bills, account summary) of your home’s gas consumption for the last 12 months.
Learn more
To learn more, contact Focus on Energy at 800.762.7077.
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