Acceptable energy efficiency design measures are any measures identified by City’s program standards, Texas HERO Home Energy Checkup or contractor during a qualifying home energy assessment and presented to the borrower during a home energy advisor consultation session.
A program prerequisite for all funded $MART Energy Loans will be the completion of identified Whole-house Energy Efficiency Package and a Texas HERO Home Energy Checkup. The HERO Report will identify the home’s baseline rating and assist in prioritizing completing projects based on energy efficiency improvement, return on investment and existing equipment condition.
Whole-house Energy Efficiency Package consists of a minimum of sealing ducts, windows, doors and wall penetrations; HVAC tune-up; attic insulation of at least R=38; insulating/sealing recessed lights in ceilings; installation of at least 50% CFL light bulbs and insulating water heater tanks. In addition, the home will need to demonstrate a HERS Index improvement of 10%, while reaching a minimum air leak/penetration of between .36 to .40 ACH (as measured by 2009 IECC, 405.5.2 (1).
Home projects can be excluded from the Whole-house Package prerequisite, through achieving a HERS Index of 125 or below (if built on or before 2000) or below 101 (if built after 2000) or if the systems are for an emergency replacement (as noted below).
Other common acceptable measures:
| |
Minor repairs to walls, windows and/or doors to reach minimum air-leak required |
|
Attic ventilation to meet 2009 IRC R806.2 |
|
Exterior wall insulation |
|
HVAC Energy Efficiency Verification Inspection & Correction |
|
Energy Monitoring/Management system (programmable thermostats) |
|
Solar screens and Daylighting Systems |
|
Replacing lighting with CFL "pin-base" fixtures |
|
Hot Water Heating Systems (solar, tankless, or higher efficiency storage tans)* |
|
HVAC Replacement* (ARI** energy effici9ency rating of 14 SEER or higher and completed Manual J Calculation (ACCA***), include variable speed motors may be required) |
|
Replacement of heat pumps* (ARI* energy efficiency rating of 14 SEER & a HSPF**** of 8.2) |
|
Geothermal Heating & Cooling system |
|
Encapsulating Roof line and/or Attic area |
|
Window Replacemment (Energy Star rated or better) |
|
Replacement of household appliances (must be Energy Star and/or WaterSense labeled) |
|
Pool equipment (variable speed motors and solar based systems) |
* Are eligible as individual items under Emergency Replacement Conditions
** American Refigeration Institute
*** Air Conditioning Contractors of America
**** Heating Seasonal Performance Factor
All funded $MART applications must achieve at least a 20% energy efficiency improvement (or at least a HERS rating of 85 or better) prior to funding the installation of any on-site renewable or energy generation systems.
| |
Solar Photovoltaic Arrays |
| |
Small Wind Turbine |
Ineligible Projects: As determined by the City of Plano upon review of HERO report and:
| |
Structural and cosmetic repairs and products not directly related to completing the energy efficiency projects/items |
to review Exhibit C for a more detailed listing of eligible projects and minimum standards set for specifiic energy efficiency measures.