|
How
It Works
Approved applicants in The Get Energy Smart Retrofit Program
can
simply follow these steps:
-
Complete Audit and/or Retrofits: Once approved, follow the steps
below according to which program component(s) you chose:
-
Get Rebate: Submit
the
Rebate Request Form
and proof of completed work for rebate(s) on
energy audit and eligible energy improvements. Once approved,
you will receive a rebate check in the mail.
Funds are available on a first come first served basis until the
funds allocated for your jurisdiction are expended. Rebates are not guaranteed or reserved for approved
applicants. All funds must be expended by the end of the grant term,
which is Aug. 30, 2012, but they are expected to be fully
committed well before then. The Rebate Request Form must be
received within six (6) months of application approval to be eligible
for the rebate payment. Regular updates on program status
and funds remaining will be on
DwellGreen.com.
Program Background
The Get Energy Smart Retrofit Program
is the result of
collaboration between Sarasota County and the cities of North
Port and Sarasota and Venice in their applications to the U.S. Department
of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant
program. These jurisdictions decided to
collaborate on the community portion of the program to maximize
the impact on energy savings and jobs as well as to reduce
administrative costs.
Each participating jurisdiction has a certain amount of program
funding available for their citizens. Once that amount has been
expended, citizens in that jurisdiction are no longer eligible. The total funds available to the community are listed below.
| |
Jurisdiction |
Amount Allocated |
| |
Sarasota County
(Unincorporated Area) |
$1,511,251 |
| |
City
of Sarasota |
$100,000 |
| |
City
of North Port |
$298,815 |
| |
City of Venice |
$225,000 |
Program Benefits
The Get Energy Smart Retrofit Program can help you in making
your home more energy efficient. Home energy efficiency
improvements can help to reduce high-energy bills, improve
comfort and help to protect the environment. Improving energy
efficiency is also an important first step for homeowners
interested in remodeling and adding value to their homes.
At the community level, the
program will help create or retain jobs in the sectors of
building and renovation as well as energy-related specialties
such as energy audits. It will also reduce the collective energy
and carbon footprint of our residential sector, the largest
contributor to local greenhouse gas emissions within the built
environment. Homeowners can:
Save Money: With rising energy costs, energy
efficiency makes more sense than ever. By reducing the
energy required to operate your home, you will save money on
your monthly utility bill.
Reduce Your Carbon and Energy Footprint: Energy
use for the average Sarasota County household adds 10.6 tons
Carbon dioxide equivalent into the atmosphere per year. That
is equal to the emissions created by burning over 22 barrels
of oil. By reducing the use of energy in our homes, we can
reduce our reliance on imported sources of energy and
protect our environment from the impacts of traditional
energy sources.
Take Advantage of Financial Incentives: In
addition to the savings that you will receive in your
monthly utility bill, home energy retrofits are also the
subject of many financial incentives from state, federal and
utility sources. The Get Energy Smart Retrofit Program aims
to maximize the dollars available by providing rebates and
loans for energy retrofits that are also the subject of
other incentive programs.
This program is an important step to help move our
community to a more sustainable and resilient economy and energy
infrastructure, with benefits in terms of cost savings, energy
independence, reduced air pollution and greenhouse gas
emissions. |
