Rebates for Energy Upgrades Come to Bay Area

OAKLAND, Calif., Nov. 21, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Bay Area Regional Energy Network (BayREN) has announced that Bay Area homeowners now can get rebates and special assistance for making home improvements that increase energy efficiency. Energy Upgrade California™ Home Upgrade offers rebates to single-family homeowners (one to four units) in the nine Bay Area counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, and Sonoma. Details about the rebates and a free Home Upgrade Advisor service are at BayAreaEnergyUpgrade.org.

Homeowners who make energy efficiency improvements are eligible for incentives from $1,000 to $4,500, plus an additional $300 for completing a home energy assessment. Eligible home improvements include air sealing; duct sealing; attic insulation; high-efficiency furnaces, cooling systems, and water systems; wall insulation; and more.

In addition, a free Home Upgrade Advisor can provide direct one-to-one assistance to help homeowners through every step of the upgrade. Home Upgrade Advisors are Building Performance Institute certified energy efficiency professionals who can inform homeowners about their energy efficiency options, help them select an appropriate participating contractor, and help them navigate project installation and financing processes.

Homeowners can contact a Home Upgrade Advisor by calling 866-878-6008 or by submitting a brief form on the BayAreaEnergyUpgrade.org site. The site also features a list of participating contractors in the Bay Area. Homeowners who are ready to begin their upgrade can contact a participating contractor directly.

"There's never been a better time for Bay Area homeowners to complete energy-efficient home improvements," said Jennifer Berg, BayREN program manager.  "Energy upgrades not only help you save energy and money but also enhance indoor air quality, making your home healthier and more livable and your family more comfortable all year round. And these rebates and personalized assistance from a Home Upgrade Advisor make it easy to get all the benefits of energy efficiency upgrades plus get cash back."

About BayREN
BayREN is a resource for local governments to implement large-scale, cross-sector energy management strategies on a regional level. BayREN is made up of public agencies representing all nine counties in the Bay Area. BayREN is one of only two regional energy networks in California and represents 20% of the state's population and half the population within the Pacific Gas and Electric Company service territory. For more information, call 866-878-6008 or visit www.bayareaenergyupgrade.org.

SOURCE Bay Area Regional Energy Network