RESIDENTIAL EFFICIENCY PROGRAMS
Home Performance with ENERGY STAR®
Home Performance with ENERGY STAR® empowers homeowners to benefit from upgrades to air conditioning equipment, home weatherization and air duct systems through a comprehensive, whole-home approach to energy efficiency in homes 10 years old or older.
Austin Energy’s registered contractors perform a walk-through visual inspection of the home, and then create a custom proposal identifying specific, energy-saving upgrade opportunities. These contractors meet high standards as they enter the home with the expertise to make a difference, helping homeowners improve indoor air quality, increase comfort and reduce summer energy bills by as much as 20%.
Austin Energy’s registered contractors follow special guidelines to perform whole-house upgrades, assisting customers with the rebate and financing process, which can save an average of $1,800 in rebates per improvement project. Austin Energy recommends that customers contact at least three registered contractors for price estimates to begin the process. Austin Energy will perform a final inspection on upgrades made to ensure quality completion.
Take advantage of this whole-home energy efficiency opportunity. For a list of registered contractors or for more information, visit austinenergy.com or call (512) 482-5346.
Whole-House Measures Covered By Home Performance with ENERGY STAR
Work with a participating contractor to start these important energy efficiency upgrades with a whole-house approach and receive corresponding rebates for the following*:
• Air conditioner/heat pump replacement
• Duct system
— Sealing
— Repair
— Replacement
• Home weatherization
— Weatherstripping and caulking (plumbing penetrations, windows, doors)
— Attic insulation
— Window screens and film
*All offers, available rebates and loans are subject to change. Participants must be Austin Energy electric customers with a single-family home, condominium, town home, duplex, triplex, fourplex, or rental property. Mobile homes and manufactured homes are not eligible.
The Energy Conservation Audit and Disclosure Ordinance (ECAD)
Whether buying, selling or renting a home or apartment in the Austin area, you can benefit from the Energy Conservation Audit and Disclosure ordinance. The ordinance requires energy disclosures for homes and buildings more than 10 years old that are served by Austin Energy and located within the Austin city limits. For homeowners, this City of Austin ordinance simply indicates the responsibility of sellers to disclose energy audit details, without requiring that improvements must be made.
Like other energy ordinances throughout the nation and the world, ECAD helps promote energy efficiency and environmental responsibility by identifying energy savings opportunities for property owners. Improving energy efficiency can enhance indoor air quality and comfort while increasing property marketability and saving money and energy.
To comply with the ordinance, property owners work with certified energy professionals to conduct the ECAD audit, which requires specialized equipment and attention. The audit includes assessing the efficiency of air infiltration and ductwork, attic insulation, windows, weatherization, heating and cooling. Home sellers pay for, receive and share audit details with potential buyers.
Additionally, multifamily properties provide their energy audit results to current and prospective residents so renters can make the right decision about their home environment before signing a new lease or renewal. Renters should always ask for the audit. (See p. 77 for more information.)
For home buyers, the energy audit provides a helpful tool to clarify the full cost of a new home by anticipating any potentially hidden costs associated with ongoing maintenance and home energy use. For home sellers, an ECAD audit can disclose an array of energy efficiency home features that translate into a more distinct and attractive listing in the competitive real estate marketplace.
Austin Energy offers customers rebate and loan options to make energy efficiency home improvement opportunities identified in the audit more affordable. Customers who participate in Home Performance with ENERGY STAR meet ECAD requirements for a period of 10 years, while enjoying up to 20% savings on summer energy bills as a result of this home energy upgrade.
For more information about the Energy Conservation Audit and Disclosure ordinance and related Austin Energy programs, go to austinenergy.com/go/ECAD or call (512) 482-5346.
High-Efficiency Air Conditioner Rebates
Austin Energy customers are eligible for a rebate when they purchase qualifying high-efficiency central or window unit air conditioners. In all-electric homes, heat pumps may also qualify for a rebate. Qualifying units must be higher in efficiency than what is required by the City of Austin’s building code. Maximize your savings and consider participating in the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR program to address whole-home issues related to your HVAC system, such as weatherization improvements or ductwork, to assist with savings, air quality and comfort. For more information, visit austinenergy.com or call (512) 482-5346.
Power Partner Thermostat Program
Power PartnerSM is a voluntary program for residential and commercial customers who use internet-connected thermostats to help manage energy use in our community. Austin Energy offers a $25 rebate for each qualifying thermostat you enroll in the Power Partner Thermostat program.
Austin Energy also offers an $85 incentive for enrolling in the Power Partner Thermostat Energy Recycling Program. In exchange, customers agree to let Austin Energy briefly adjust the temperature setting on their thermostats when the demand for electricity is highest, like very hot summer afternoons, to prevent power outages.
Internet-connected thermostats allow you to remotely access and control your thermostat using a smart phone, smart device or computer. You can also program and monitor your thermostats when you are away, while reducing energy waste and increasing the comfort of your home or business.
To view program qualifications and a list of eligible thermostats and purchase locations, visit austinenergy.com/go/powerpartner. For more information, please call (512) 482-5346 or email powerpartnerthermostats@austinenergy.com.
Weatherization Assistance Program
Austin Energy helps income-eligible homeowners and renters save energy and improve indoor comfort and air quality through the weatherization assistance program. Through this program, Austin Energy offers no-cost home energy improvements to qualifying customers based on available funding and the results of the home energy assessment, providing materials and installation as applicable for home energy improvement measures such as:
• Attic insulation
• Weatherstripping on doors and windows
• Minor duct repair or replacement
• Window air conditioner installation or replacement
• Carbon monoxide and smoke detectors
• Solar screens
• High-efficiency lighting
• Water-saving improvements such as aerators or low-flow showerheads
General Qualifications:
• You must be an Austin Energy electric customer.
• You must occupy the home you want weatherized.
• You must meet income requirements.
• The residence must be a single-family home, mobile home, or duplex.
• The home must be 2,000 sq. ft. or smaller.
• Your home’s appraised value is $250,000 or less
(excluding land value).
• Austin Energy requires documentation to verify income and/or disability status for occupants 18 and older.
• The home has not gone through the Weatherization Assistance Program in the last 10 years.
Additional Renter Qualifications:
• You must have lived in the rental home at least
three months.
• Income must meet the listed eligibility guidelines.
• The owner must agree to the improvements and sign a release form.
• You must provide a copy of the rental agreement.
To sign up, go to austinenergy.com/go/weatherization or call (512) 482-5346. Please note that potential participants could be placed on a wait list due to program limits.
Austin Energy Web App
With your mobile device or computer, you can easily monitor your energy use from anywhere and receive important alerts to save on your electric bill. The Austin Energy app gives you the power to:
• Save money and resources
• Track and adjust your energy use
• View your energy bill history
• Forecast your energy bill cost
• Avoid higher billing tiers
• View your solar production
• Discover practical conservation tips
Log in to the Austin Energy web app using your online City of Austin Utilities username and password from coautilities.com. Check out austinenergyapp.com today.
Instant Savings Discounts at Austin Area Retailers
Austin Energy has partnered with many Austin-area retailers to provide instant in-store savings on energy-efficient products to help customers easily save energy and lower their bills.
Instant savings discounts are taken off a product’s purchase price at the cash register. Discounts are limited-time offers that vary seasonally. Discounts may include products such as select window air conditioner units, LED bulbs, air purifiers, and big gap filler insulating foam sealant, as well as ENERGY STAR refrigerators and freezers. Additional products are added to the program as they become available. Product availability is limited and offered to Austin Energy customers on a first-come, first-served basis. The instant savings discounts are subject to change without notice.
Customers are encouraged to look for “Instant Savings” and/or the Austin Energy logo on the store shelf labels. Customers can also ask a sales associate about the program at participating retailers.
This program is part of a nationwide effort by some of the largest public power utilities in the country and major retailers to provide in-store incentives for customers. Austin Energy is leading the initiative known as the Strategic Partnership between Utilities and Retailers (SPUR). SPUR is a subcommittee of the Large Public Power Council – representing the 26 largest public power systems in the country including in Austin, San Antonio, Los Angeles, Seattle and Phoenix, among others. Together, the utilities serve more than 30 million customers.
For more information about eligible energy-efficient products for instant in-store savings and a list of participating retailers, visit austinenergy.com/go/instantsavings.
Continue to Multifamily Conservation Programs ->