About REU's Home Performance Program

Redding Electric Utility’s (REU’s) Home Performance Program (HPP) is an incentive-based program for homeowners to improve their home’s energy performance.

HPP projects must incorporate REU-approved Building Performance Institute (BPI) “whole house-as-a-system” installation measures and standards that include: removal of your old Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system; right-sizing and designing your new HVAC and duct systems to high-level ACCA Manual J/D standards, proper insulation levels in your attic space (R-50...that’s right...R-50), and providing whole house ventilation systems.

If you are considering replacing your existing air-conditioner and tightening or replacing your home’s duct system, REU encourages you to “do it right” and retrofit your home to REU’s Home Performance standards.

Your Home Performance contractor may make claims that REU’s Home Performance Program can reduce your home’s energy consumption by 30% or more – they may also claim they can reduce your home’s air conditioner size by 50% or more. Your contractor will also talk to you about replacing natural gas furnaces with an electric heat pump, or hydronic system. If your Home Performance contractor is making these claims, they are absolutely correct! Together, these measures will greatly improve your home’s energy efficiency, comfort levels, and indoor air quality.

REU has been monitoring homes that have been retrofitted to these REU Home Performance standards and the results have been staggering. Increased comfort – improved indoor air quality – lower utility bills – and lower peak demand on REU’s electric system which is good for all REU customers!

How It Works - Step-by-Step to Home Performance

1. Review all the information contained herein and the list of REU's approved Home Performance Contractors, and estimate the potential rebate available to your Home Performance project.
2. Potential rebates are on a first-come, first-served basis.
3. Customers should request bid(s) from REU-approved Home Performance Contractors that will perform your HPP work and qualify you and your project for a substantial rebate from REU.
4. Contact REU to apply, schedule a project walk through/site visit, and evaluate the REU Home Performance rebate calculator tool to more accurately determine your project’s potential.
5. REU must pre-approve your application prior to starting your HPP(system design and construction) work.
6. Next: schedule an initial test-in for your home from a REU-approved Home Performance Contractor. This involves a blower door test to determine the leakiness of your home’s shell, a duct blaster test to verify the performance (or non-performance) of your home’s existing duct system, and combustion safety testing.
7. After the initial test-in results, provide system design calculations to REU and obtain a building permit for the work.
8. Start construction: coordinate the test-out results with REU to maximize your potential rebate.
9. All Home Performance work to be performed and completed within 3 months of REU’s approval of your application. For rebate check processing, allow up to 30 days after successful final inspection.

REU Financial Incentives

REU’s HPP will provide substantial financial incentives to offset your incremental cost to go from standard HVAC replacement to a HPP project. REU customers who undertake high quality, uncompromised home performance–based contracting services for whole house-as-a-system, deep energy retrofits will:

• Reduce your energy bills
• Improve your home’s energy efficiency
• Improve your home’s comfort levels
• Improve indoor air quality
• And reduce peak demand on REU’s electric system

All by performing the following work:

• Air seal attic space
• Insulation upgrade to R50
• Properly designed and installed duct system (air delivery)
• HVAC upgrade to “right sized” heat pump/air conditioner
• Home ventilation upgrade

Example Photos

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