Guest post by Andy Kuc-Focus on Energy Implementation Project Manager

Focus on Energy has exciting changes in store for 2012! Starting soon, Focus on Energy will have expanded offerings to better serve our residential customers and achieve cost-effective energy savings.

Below is some information on the new programs for the next year. This is the first of many communications to come and more details will be available in the coming weeks. Make sure you receive updates on the programs you participate in, please register your email and contact information here.

Prescriptive Incentive Program
Focus on Energy will provide incentives for energy efficient household equipment. This program will build on the success of previous Focus on Energy offerings while continuing to work with trade allies to better serve residential customers. New information about qualifying products and services, incentive levels, and participation requirements effective January 1, 2012 will be provided in the next few weeks.

Home Performance with ENERGY STAR ®
The current program model will continue through March 31, 2012 with only slight modifications. This extension of the current program design will allow for a more orderly transition to the new program in April 2012.  After that transition period, consultants will be able to perform energy assessments under the new program design, but the program will promote a contractor-driven approach that encourages auditors and contractors to partner together to effectively serve customers. In the coming weeks, a more detailed description of modifications to be effective on January 1, 2012 will be provided. In December, Focus on Energy will be hosting webinars and other meetings to discuss new program design details effective next April, including eligible measures, incentive levels, provision of training and QA/QC.

Low-Moderate Income Programs
Focus on Energy will be offering two different paths for income qualified customers. Beginning in January, increased incentives will be available through the Prescriptive Incentive Program for qualifying customers to receive energy efficient household equipment. In April, Focus on Energy will also offer a comprehensive program for qualifying customers to receive enhanced incentives for building shell improvements.

Multifamily Energy Savings Program
Focus on Energy will continue offering incentives to owners of apartments and condominiums. Beginning in 2012, the new program will offer increased incentives for customers that achieve deeper, more comprehensive energy savings.

Appliance Recycling Program
Focus on Energy will offer cash-back rewards to residential customers who want to recycle their second refrigerators and freezers. This new program will be available to customers beginning in March 2012.

Upstream Lighting and Appliance Recycling
Focus on Energy will continue to partner with retailers and manufacturers around Wisconsin to offer instant discounts and mail-in coupons for ENERGY STAR qualified products such as compact fluorescent lights (CFLs), clothes washers and more. These offerings will be available at participating retail locations on January 1,2012.

Focus on Energy thanks you for continuing to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions to your customers. Information and application forms for program available now can be found at Focus on Energy.

Please send any questions on current or new residential program offerings to:  focusinfo@focusonenergy.com

Guest post by Andy Kuc-Focus on Energy Implementation Project Manager

As a professional in the building and energy efficiency industry, I’ve learned to appreciate the intricacies of building an energy efficient home. It has more to do with quality, craftsmanship, and attention to detail, than it does with installing a tricked out energy efficient product. After all, if it’s not installed right, it won’t work.

The Focus on Energy New Homes Program can help you achieve the level of proficiency necessary to building comfortable and durable energy efficient homes while adding credibility to your business. The program is the result of more than a year’s worth of talking and strategizing with builders. It’s essentially a program for you, by you.

When you partner with Focus on Energy, you’ll be able to work with an accredited building performance consultant. Your consultant is a third party, unbiased expert who will help you in building and certifying a Focus on Energy New Home. All builders can say that they build “quality homes” or that “they already do that energy efficiency stuff,” but only those builders partnering with the Focus on Energy can prove it.

Here’s what’s in it for you:
If the added credibility to your business isn’t enough, Focus on Energy has more to offer:
- Financial incentives—The more energy efficient a home is, the higher your rewards.
- Standardized best practices for energy efficiency.
- A building performance consultant who helps with modeling, testing, and certification.
- Co-op advertising to help you promote your business and your partnership with Focus on Energy.
- Financing options for your clients.

How to participate
Any residential builder in Wisconsin can participate in Focus on Energy’s New Homes Program. All you need to do is complete a Focus on Energy program ally builder application and a W9 form, select your consultant, and you’re good to go. Join the nearly 400 Focus on Energy builder partners that have certified more than 15,000 energy efficient Wisconsin homes over the past 11 years. In fact, nearly 30 percent of all Wisconsin new homes were certified by Focus on Energy in 2010.

photo by davidnikonvscanon