Energy Efficiency for Homes.bmp "Insulation Photo with kids")
The City of Berkeley is committed to promoting an integrated strategy to help Berkeley residents make their homes energy efficient. Learn how to increase energy efficiency in your home and reduce your household carbon footprint.
City of Berkeley Home Energy Upgrade Information:
Energy Efficiency Home Upgrade & Home Performance Testing
Learn how to improve your home's overall performance through building science. Find out easy, cost-effective ways to make your home more comfortable, healthier, and more energy efficient.
Insulation
Information on why to insulate, types of insulation and how to properly install insulation.
Natural Gas Savings Tips
10 easy tips to help you save money on your PG&E bill and reduce your greenhouse gas emissions while you are at it!
Weatherization & LIHEAP Program (Low-Income Heating, Energy Assistance Program) Phone: 510-881-0300
Free weatherization (caulking, weather stripping, attic insulation, compact fluorescent lamps) and energy efficient appliances (refrigerators and air conditioners) for low-income residents to help reduce gas and electricity usage, plus energy bill payment assistance. Requires Income Qualification
RECO (Residential Energy Conservation Ordinance)
Adopted in 1987, RECO requires residential property owners to increase the energy and water efficiency in their buildings upon transfer of property ownership or when renovations are made. Compliance with RECO measures saves money, increases the comfort and reduces the amount of greenhouse emissions in every home.
Other Local Energy Efficiency Programs: (these links will take you out of the City of Berkeley website)
Rising Sun Energy Center Phone: 510-655-1501 Rising Sun Energy Center is a green workforce development and retrofit services organization. It provides green workforce development training & employment that creates green career pathways for youth and adults, offers low-to-no cost residential retrofits & services that lower energy & water usage, and educates our communities about sustainable behaviors and technologies.
- California Youth Energy Services (CYES), Phone: 510-665-1501, a program of Rising Sun Energy Center. CYES will come to residential homes to check the household's electricity, gas and water use, and then help reduce energy bills by providing FREE energy-saving devices as well as energy education.
- Rising Sun Energy Services (Rising Sun ES) Phone 510-647-8182, a social enterprise of Rising Sun Energy Center. Rising Sun ES is a certified and bonded General Contacting business that provides low-cost energy efficiency audits and upgrades to residents of Alameda County.
Community Energy Services Corporation (CESC) Phone: 510-981-7760. CESC offers residential services that help homeowners maintain safe and healthy homes and commercial services that help businesses become more energy efficient. CESC is the only authorized auditor for Berkeley’s Residential and Commercial Energy Conservation Ordinance (RECO and CECO) to verify compliance with the ordinances. Other services include SmartLights, a subsidized commercial lighting retrofit program, and SmartSolar, a FREE solar and energy efficiency consultation service for both commercial and residential sectors.
- Berkeley Home Safety and Repair Program Phone 510-981-7764, a program of CESC. The Berkeley Home Safety and Repair Program is designed to assist low income Berkeley homeowners with FREE, high-quality minor home repairs and mobility access improvements, to help residents to remain in their homes safely and comfortably. Requires Income Qualification
Build It Green is a nonprofit organization that partners with public agencies, building industry professionals, manufacturers, and suppliers to offer education and training, unbiased product information, & technical assistance as it relates to green building. The Build It Green website offers online materials regarding sustainable building practices as well as referrals to professionals.
Energy Upgrade California is a comprehensive website explaining statewide energy efficiency incentives including a database of local energy-saving rebates and contractor listings.
- Flex Package is a rebate program for Alameda County homeowners looking to lower their utility bills and enhance home comfort. Rebates up to $1,500 for energy-saving home improvements are available on a first-come, first-served basis to owners of single-family homes in Alameda County, and are offered through Energy Upgrade California.
Other Related Topics:
Solar
Solar technology harnesses the abundant energy from the sun and converts the sunlight directly into electricity. Increasing the amount of clean renewable energy is a critical component of the Berkeley community efforts to reduce greenhouse gases. Find out how to unleash your solar potential.
Green Building
The goal of the Berkeley's Green Building Program is to remove barriers to green construction, and to promote polices and practices that encourage building green. Green buildings provide healthy, comfortable building interiors, maximize savings through the efficient use of energy and water and limit construction impacts on the natural environment.
Climate Action Plan
Adopted by the Berkeley City Council on June 2, 2009, the Berkeley Climate Action Plan is the result of the community-based climate action campaign that the Berkeley voters set in motion. The plan is rooted in the vision for a sustainable Berkeley that not only reduces greenhouse gas emissions but also creates a local vibrant, healthy community.
Return to the Energy and Sustainable Development Homepage