Green Wednesday: Napa County Makes Home Energy Upgrades Free
By Chris Benz
Summary of today’s story: Napa County is now covering the remaining co-pay for qualifying residents enrolled in BayREN’s EASE Home Program, making home energy upgrades free. Eligible homeowners and renters can receive insulation, duct work, air sealing, smart thermostats and induction appliance replacements. A companion program from Rising Sun offers no-cost efficiency assessments and resource-saving devices while providing paid training for local young people. County officials are seeking more households as both programs expand their reach.
“Most research shows that inadequate attic insulation accounts for 20% of your energy bill. This one upgrade could reduce your annual energy bill by one-fifth.” — Ryan Melendez
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Napa County Makes Home Energy Upgrades Free
by Chris Benz
NAPA VALLEY, Calif. — Over the past year, 38 Napa County homes received energy upgrades through the Bay Area Regional Energy Network’s EASE Home Program, which subsidized 80% of the cost. Starting this summer, the Napa County Housing and Community Services Division is covering the remaining 20% copay, making these upgrades completely free for qualified homeowners and renters.
Napa County Sustainability Planners William Doran and Ryan Melendez have been talking to residents up and down the county to explain what the program covers.
“EASE Home is a home energy efficiency program that aims to reduce the amount of energy a home is using by providing upgrades that help insulate and seal the home,” Doran said.
“Reduced energy use equals reduced energy bills,” added Melendez.
The program is aimed at low- and middle-income residents who own or rent a single-family home (four or fewer units) built before 2010. For example, a household size of two with a gross annual income of less than $153,825 would qualify.
A wide range of upgrades are covered. These include weatherization such as improved insulation; duct sealing or replacement and whole-home air-sealing; energy-efficiency upgrades that include smart thermostats and weatherstripping; and induction stove or cooktop replacement of a gas appliance (with compatible cookware and electrical upgrades).
“The process is really simple,” Doran said.
The resident fills out an interest form, and county staff confirm eligibility and send the information to the contractor. An energy adviser visits the home and prepares a home energy assessment and a project proposal for the partnering contractor. The resident can choose which upgrades they want and then sign the project proposal. The work is then scheduled and is usually completed in one to two days.
“Most projects have been completed within two months of the application date,” Doran said.
According to Melendez, the homes that see the biggest benefit are those built in the 1960s-’70s that were frequently under-insulated.
“Most research shows that inadequate attic insulation accounts for 20% of your energy bill,” he said. “This one upgrade could reduce your annual energy bill by one-fifth.”
This August and September, Napa County will be the focus of a program push, with contractors hoping to do four homes a week. While the cost of these projects typically runs from $7,000 to $10,000 per home, qualifying Napa County residents will have the entire cost covered by BayREN and the Napa County Housing and Community Services Division.
Rising Sun Green House Calls
The No-Cost Green House Call is a companion BayREN-sponsored energy- and water-efficiency program available to all Napa County residents through July 31, regardless of income. Local youth trained as energy specialists through Rising Sun’s Climate Careers program conduct an in-home efficiency assessment and install a wide variety of resource-saving devices, including LED light bulbs, low-flow showerheads and door sweeps.
Napa resident and local energy guru Gopal Shanker was pleased after his Green House Call.
“They left me with the following freebies: a portable single-burner induction cooktop with an induction-compatible frying pan, an LED night light, a color LED light bulb, a smart socket and dryer balls,” he said.
The program currently employs 13 Napa County youths, ages 15 to 24, who are making Green House Calls through July 31.
“We’d love to identify more local homes for our young energy specialists to visit,” said Malaika Khan, outreach manager for Rising Sun. In addition to hands-on field experience, youth participants take part in weekly professional development workshops focused on career readiness, financial literacy and environmental justice, she said.
Take advantage of these free programs, and treat yourself to a lower utility bill!
Actions you can take:
Contact Doran or Melendez online or by phone at 707-253-4417.
Learn more at the BayREN EASE Home website.
Attend a public BayREN workshop on July 29 at American Canyon Library, 300 Crawford Way, American Canyon, 6 to 7 p.m.
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Chris Benz is a retired winemaker and co-founder of Napa Climate NOW! Napa Climate NOW! is a local nonprofit citizens’ group advocating for smart climate solutions based on the latest climate science, part of 350 Bay Area. Info, napa.350bayareorg
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