Energy

Small changes in how you use your energy can lead to big improvements in sustainability, benefiting both our planet and your personal wellbeing. Here are energy saving tips to help you at home:

·         Cook with your grill or microwave to keep your home cooler.

·         Give your air conditioner a rest when you can and cool your home with open windows and fans.

·         Replace your incandescent light bulbs with more efficient LEDs Close your blinds to keep out the afternoon heat.

·         Plug home electronics into power strips and turn off power strips when equipment is not in use.

·         Unplug electronic devices and chargers when they aren’t in use.

·         Give your dryer a break and hang-dry your clothes.

·         Set your thermostat to 78 degrees when you are home and to 85 degrees or “off” when you are away.

Link: https://www.sce.com/residential/home-energy-guide

Energy Saving Programs

Homeowners and renters in Lake Forest have options to finance and increase energy efficiency for their homes, including informational resources, rebates, loans and other programs with partner agencies.

Energy Efficient FHA Loans

The Energy Efficient Mortgage Loan program helps current or potential homeowners significantly lower their monthly utility bills by enabling them to incorporate the cost of adding energy efficient improvements into their new home or existing housing. This FHA program eliminates the need for homeowners who are interested in making their home more energy efficient to take out an additional mortgage loan to cover the cost of the improvements they intend to make to their property. The program is available as part of a FHA insured home purchase or by refinancing your current mortgage loan.

Link: https://www.fha.com/energy_efficient

Homestyle Energy Mortgage

Fannie Mae’s Homestyle Energy Mortgage Program help residents get a comfortable, efficient and resilient home. This program involves Fannie Mae providing financing mortgage options to residents who wish to make energy efficient upgrades that will reduce their utility costs.

Link: https://singlefamily.fanniemae.com/originating-underwriting/mortgage-products/homestyle-energy-mortgage

Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency

The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 empowers Americans to make homes and buildings more energy-efficient by providing federal tax credits and deductions that will help reduce energy costs and demand, as we transition to cleaner energy sources. Through 2032, federal income tax credits are available to homeowners, that will allow up to $3,200 annually to lower the cost of energy efficient home upgrades by up to 30 percent.

Link: https://www.energystar.gov/about/federal-tax-credits

Southern California Edison

Southern California Edison (SCE) offers rebates to residents who participate in the following programs:

• California Alternative Rates for Energy (CARE): Program helps reduce energy bills for eligible income qualified customers.
  • Link: https://www.sce.com/residential/assistance/fera-care 
• Energy Savings Assistance Program: The Energy Savings Assistance Program helps income-qualified households conserve energy and reduce their electricity costs.
  • Link: https://www.sce.com/residential/assistance/energy-saving-program
• Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA): Qualifying families and households of three or more receive an 18% discount on their electric bills.
  • Link: https://www.sce.com/residential/assistance/fera-care 
• New! Electric Portable Power Stations: Beginning September 1, 2022, residential customers who live in an area designated as a Tier 2 or Tier 3 high fire-risk area can receive up to five (5) $150 rebates for purchasing qualified Electric Portable Power Stations, per residential address.
  • Link https://marketplace.sce.com/sce-marketplace-terms-conditions-rebates/
• SCE Marketplace: The SCE Marketplace lets you research energy-saving products. Here, in one convenient location, you can compare appliances, electronics, and connected home products; calculate savings for switching to more efficient models; find retailers; and more.
  • Link: https://marketplace.sce.com/
• Smart Thermostat Rebates: Receive a $75 bill credit when you enroll your eligible smart thermostat in a qualifying demand response program through one of our authorized thermostat providers.
  • Link: https://www.sce.com/save-money/savings-programs/enroll-in-savings-programs/smart-energy-program
• Solar on Multifamily Affordable Housing (SOMAH): As a building owner, you may qualify to receive incentives for solar installation. Solar generation will provide energy credits to lower electricity bills for your common area and your tenants, as well as provide opportunities for jobs and training for your tenants.
  • Link: https://calsomah.org/about

Southern California Gas Company Residential Rebates

Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas) provides rebates to residents who use ENERGY STAR certified appliances and energy efficient natural gas products. The full list of rebates is available here.

Link: https://www.socalgas.com/save-money-and-energy/rebates-and-incentives/natural-gas-appliance-rebates

Energy Upgrade California

Energy Upgrade California® is an online resource tool that aims to help Californians be more energy efficient, utilize more sustainable natural resources, reduce demand on the energy grid and make informed choices about their energy use at home and at work—all of which goes a long way for California. Their educational website content includes energy management, climate change, and California’s energy goals.

Link: https://energyupgradeca.org/