www.theenergynetwork.com                                       June 2014

Beat the Heat

Summer is officially here. Cities throughout California already have experienced heat waves - downtown Los Angeles recently broke a 124-year heat record, and air conditioners are on high demand.

 

This is the perfect time to remind homeowners that a new air conditioner can be both affordable and energy efficient with Cool Comfort Financing. The Energy Network will be promoting this low-interest financing program to homeowners throughout the region.

 

Cool Comfort Financing offers interest rates as low as 2 percent for energy efficient central air conditioners and furnace replacement projects. To date, 66 homeowners have participated in the program, thanks to the support of the California Energy Commission and the California Public Utilities Commission. Traditional financing options like credit cards and distributor loans can't offer such low interest rates.

 

For homeowners to qualify for the program, contractors working on the installations must ensure that the ductwork is in good working order, with proper insulation and sealing. This is to ensure that the new system performs at its optimal level maximizing, energy savings and on-bill savings for homeowners.  

 

Cities interested in providing this resource at their permit desks should contact the program at (877) 785-2237 or LAHelpDesk@EnergyUpgradeCA.org.  Click here to learn more.

Online Resource Library 

The Energy Network offers free services to qualifying public agencies in its service territory, but resources are limited. Currently, 36 agencies are enrolled and on track to save more than 30 million kWh overall. But long-term savings and the total number of agencies served will depend on funding levels in the future.

 

That doesn't mean public agencies cannot get a leg up on energy efficiency and plan and execute projects on their own. The Energy Network has put together a comprehensive Online Resource Library that includes a set of guidebooks created specifically for public agencies. The guidebooks include step-by-step instructions on how to identify energy- saving projects, how to build support and execute projects, including financing, procurement and project management.

 

The packet includes templates, case studies, best practices and an overview video that explains how to use the books.

The library also includes links to resources, regulatory information and virtually anything a public agency might need to complete energy upgrade projects.

 

The Energy Network's goal is to maximize energy savings for public agencies, homeowners and businesses in Southern California, and this do-it-yourself tool is a great complement to the program's efforts.

Getting the Word Out

If you were among the 1,700-plus attendees of the Southern California Facilities Expo at  the Anaheim Convention Center recently, you might have seen The Energy Network's brightly colored booth right by the entrance to the exhibit hall.

 

As The Energy Network kicks into high gear for the remainder of 2014, and the second of its two-year pilot, program staff will be attending appropriate events to further the program's message of energy efficiency and the various resources available to homeowners, businesses and public agencies.

 

At the Facilities Expo, The Energy Network staff offered information on the public agency and Los Angeles County's Commercial PACE programs to close to 50 booth visitors. The audience was a mix of commercial and public facility managers, purchasing managers and contractors.  

 

Organizers of the annual event call it "a broad based facilities event with an emphasis on green buildings that features the latest products and services in the industry."

 

Look for The Energy Network at other upcoming venues, including the League of California Cities™ Annual Conference & Expo September 3 - 5, at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

    


About The  
Energy Network 

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The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) authorized The Energy Network to serve public agencies and their constituencies throughout Southern California.

  

The Energy Network's mission is to harness the collective action of public agencies and their constituents and to help them save energy by providing needed resources and technical expertise. The pilot phase is funded through the end of 2014.


This Program is administered by the County of Los Angeles and funded by California utility ratepayers under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission.