Energy Upgrade California is a new statewide program that encourages homeowners to undertake energy efficiency upgrades in their homes, with the goal of improving the energy performance in single family residences.

The program, which awards both Federal stimulus funds and Pacific Gas and Electric rebates, allows homeowners to claim rebates of up to a maximum $6,300 – three hundred dollars to cover the cost of a required energy audit, with the remainder available for energy upgrades.

Not all homeowners will qualify for the maximum amount. Under the program the home is measured for its potential energy savings, and then computer modeled to predict what savings are available by accomplishing various upgrades. Improvements which show a savings of 15% qualify for the program, but savings of 40% are required to qualify for the maximum rebate.

The program also provides loans for qualifying energy upgrades. These loans will provide eligible homeowners with up to $25,000 for energy saving measures including insulation, air sealing, HVAC systems, and solar PV.

The program prides itself on looking at the house as a system, hoping to achieve synergistic benefits by improving multiple related systems. So, for instance, instead of simply replacing a low-efficiency furnace with a better performing unit, the program would look at the furnace replacement, plus the duct delivery system, plus the register type and distribution, as well as the elements of the building envelope which contains the conditioned space. By looking at all the system components together, greater savings can be achieved.

A list of possible improvements and associated savings are assembled by undertaking an energy audit of the home. The auditor takes measurements on various system components, typically including envelope leakage (infiltration), duct performance and presence or absence of thermal insulation, and takes a physical inventory of applicable system components. With the results from the investigation, the auditor can produce a prioritized list of possible energy-performance improvements.

But it’s not a program with a long shelf life. After funding runs out, the program will be terminated, although an extension of the program may be accomplished if additional funding is approved. So if you are contemplating upgrading your home’s energy performance and want some help, now is the time to get started.