Energy Efficiency
Weatherize Your Home Now to Save Money Later
Weatherizing one’s home can be a simple and inexpensive means of reducing monthly energy bills. A variety of weatherization assistance programs are available to help low and moderate-income Alexandrians get ready for the cool winter months ahead. These include:
- Rebuilding Together Alexandria (RTA) is a local non-profit providing free home repairs and safety modifications to homeowners in need (primarily elderly and disabled residents) and is currently looking for eligible clients needing home repair and weatherization services. Last fall, RTA volunteers weatherized over 30 homes of low-income homeowners in Alexandria. RTA recently received a grant for energy efficient home modifications and weatherization efforts to be implemented this fall. For more information, contact RTA at 703.836.1021 or visit www.rebuildingtogetheralex.org.
- Community Housing Partners Corporation (CHPC) can perform diagnostic tests to evaluate areas of heat loss, repair or install attic and wall insulation, weatherstrip doors and complete other measures to prevent heat loss. CHPC can also complete indoor air quality checks, such as testing for carbon monoxide, as well as inspections of heating equipment to ensure safe and efficient operation. All CHPC services are free to eligible homeowners and renters. For more information, contact Connie England at 540.636.8079.
- City of Alexandria Home Rehabilitation Loan Program (HRLP) can provide a range of home improvements and is not limited to weatherization. The loan program provides zero interest, deferred payment loans of up to $90,000 to lower income City homeowners to address code violations and to complete other needed repairs, including accessibility improvements. Higher loan limits can be approved when lead-based painted surfaces must be addressed. To learn more, contact the Office of Housing at 703.838.4622 or view the HRLP brochure.
- Department of Human Services Virginia Energy Assistance Program can provide needed financial assistance with the cost of heating your home this winter or with repairs to heating equipment. Applications will be accepted from the second Tuesday in October through the second Friday in November. This program helps with home heating costs, but can also be used for furnace re-starts, late charges, delivery charges, installation charges, and connection or re-connection fees. For more information on benefits and eligibility for the program, contact the Office of Community Services at 703.746.5901 or visit the DHS web page.
Tax Credits and Rebates for Energy Efficiency and Residential Renewable Energy
- Federal:
- The Home Energy Efficiency Improvement Tax Credit Program provides a federal tax credit for 30% of the cost, up to $1,500, for a range of energy efficiency improvements such as the purchase and installation of specific products such as energy-efficient windows, insulation, doors, roofs, and heating and cooling equipment. Visit www.EnergyStar.gov for a complete summary of tax credits available.
- Tax Credits for Residential Renewable Energy provide a federal tax credit of up to 30% of the cost of solar energy systems (including solar water heating and solar electric systems), small wind systems, geothermal heat pumps, and residential fuel cell and microturbine systems, to greatly reduce the effective cost of solar and wind systems. Visit www.EnergyStar.gov for a complete summary of tax credits available.
- Virginia:
- The Residential and Commercial Solar and Wind Incentive Rebate Program is a newly created state program offering rebates distributed on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are exhausted. Rebates may be used in combination with the federal tax credit to greatly reduce the cost of residential renewable energy systems. Click here for an online form to request a conditional reservation of funds. For more information, visit the Virginia Department of Mines and Minerals website.
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