Green Jobs Green New York Energy Audits

Energsmart has been BPI accredited for several years now and therefore, we can offer any of the Energy Star programs offered by New York State. The program has traditionally been funded by a tax on your electric bill called the Systems Benefit Charge (SBC). Each month, whether you are aware of it or not, you pay this tax, which goes into a pot to be handed out to participants in the program who make energy efficiency improvements to their homes. ANYONE, regardless of income, can take part in the Energy Star programs in NY.

In the past, while the program significantly reduced the costs of insulation for lower income households (50% paid by the state), there wasn’t a big incentive for anyone else to take part because it only gave a 10% rebate. Since the program requires more time of contractors from an administrative standpoint, that 10% break is easily given back in the increased price of the products being installed.

All of this changed last year with the stimulus act. Regardless of your opinion of the bill, the fact of the matter is that the states were handed gobs of money to implement energy efficiency programs. New York instituted the Green Jobs Green New York (GJGNY) program with its portion of the handout. GJGNY has become part of the existing Energy Star program in the state. The result? Government incentives to make energy efficiency upgrades (we will likely never see these incentives again in our lives due to our national debt situation). Here are some of the highlights of the new program, which clearly give all New Yorkers a reason to consider it:

1.
Households with incomes under $127,000 get a FREE energy audit. This isn’t the free audit some contractors offer. Your home is actually modeled using state supplied software. You get an actual comprehensive report detailing your home’s energy deficiencies, and companies like Energsmart get paid by the state to provide this service. You’re under no obligation to do any of the work.

2.
Homes with incomes between $127,000 and $254,000, get a reduced audit fee between $0-$250. The maximum fee is $250 for homes over $254,000 in income.

3.
A 3.99% loan for any work completed under the program is available for ALL homeowners REGARDLESS of income. This rate drops to 3.49% with direct debit!

4.
All homeowners get a 10% instant rebate, even if the project is financed through the 3.99% loan. Homes below 80% of the median state income ($42,500 for a household of two people) get 50% off their work.

We all paid for this program so you might as well get your fair share of the incentives offered! Contact us to learn more.