The Retrofit Program provides a comprehensive approach to retrofitting homes and businesses while creating good local jobs. The program will consist of the following components:
Retrofit Program staff will solicit contractors and other candidates to receive training through existing training programs (such as the California Building Performance Contractors Association [CBPCA] program) and through newly emerging workforce development programs. This training will enable contractors to analyze homes to identify, specify, and execute deep energy retrofits tailored to the needs of the building and property owner. The model has been proven in practice by CBPCA in both Northern and Southern California, in addition to other Home Performance with ENERGY STAR programs around the country.
Because the program is voluntary, it will rely on a comprehensive public outreach campaign, including property owner education and Retrofit Program marketing, to build interest and participation. The Retrofit Program will provide initial information about energy retrofitting benefits and options through its website, marketing materials, and community outreach presentations. Once a property owner joins the Retrofit Program, he/she will select a contractor from the program’s roster of certified providers, who will guide the property owner through his/her retrofit project. The contractor will (1) assess the property owner’s needs, goals, and restrictions; (2) test and analyze the building’s performance characteristics and propose an integrated whole-building solution; and (3) explain available financing options (e.g., financing, rebates, incentives) and facilitate the financing application/approval process. The Retrofit Program will provide a one-stop shop for property owners to receive information, get their questions answered, and learn about their options.
The Retrofit Program will be coordinated with existing financing programs, including the Sonoma County Energy Independence Program (www.sonomacountyenergy.org), PG&E rebate/incentive options, and low-income weatherization programs. Collectively, these programs (marketed under the one-stop shop approach) will provide funding options and cash incentives that will greatly reduce or eliminate the financing barriers for property owners. Similar coordination may be possible with other national and local programs.
Retrofit Program staff will review the contractor’s proposed retrofit project plan to make sure that the proper measures are selected for the retrofit. Once the retrofit plan is approved and a contract signed, the contractor(s) will complete the work and report to Retrofit Program staff. To ensure the quality of the Retrofit Program and its contractors, program staff will periodically perform field verification on a sample of completed projects. If there are disputes, the program will have a multi-stage dispute resolution process to resolve property owner concerns, and contractors will be held responsible for the quality of their work.
