Benefits:
As much as 30 percent of the energy used to heat and cool your home can be lost through duct surfaces, causing your heating and air conditioning equipment to work harder to make up for the loss. Insulating your ductwork lowers your energy bill, makes your home more comfortable and reduces the harmful effects of poor indoor air quality.
Reasons to add or increase duct insulation in your home:
• Heating and cooling systems account for more than half of a home’s energy consumption
• Duct insulation minimizes the loss of conditioned air throughout the home and reduces
heating and cooling equipment operating time
• Insulated ducts increase occupant comfort by delivering consistent air temperatures throughout the home, reducing the effects of “cold blow” caused by long, uninsulated
duct runs
• Duct insulation also reduces the possibility of condensation on the exterior of ductwork,
which can lead to microbial growth on surrounding materials
Incentive amount:
$75 incentive to customers
$25 incentive to participating contractors
CLICK HERE to download a 2009 incentive form
Qualifications:
1. Ducts must be in an unconditioned space. A definition of an unconditioned space can be
found on the incentive application.
2. Home must have an electric heating system or ducted unitary cooling equipment
serving 80 percent of the floor area (central air conditioning or heat pump).
3. Newly constructed homes do not qualify because they are already meeting duct
insulation requirements in current building code. Remodeling projects may not qualify
if the upgrade requires a building permit. Unheated spaces, such as a garage, do not
qualify for incentives.
4. Pre-existing insulation levels must be nonexistent or less than R-2.
5. Duct insulation must be installed to R-6 levels.
6. Duct insulation must be installed by a contractor.
7. Work may be inspected.
Receipts or Contractor invoices must clearly indicate R-Value of duct insulation installed.
“Participating” contractors have agreed to the Home Energy Savings program terms and conditions for participating by signing a participation agreement. Contractors have also agreed to participate in a quality control process.
“Qualified” contractors have been trained to provide installation and service measures to program specifications for central air conditioner installation, duct sealing and central air conditioner tune-ups. Qualified contractors have agreed to to the Home Energy Savings program terms and conditions for participating by signing a participation agreement. Contractors have also agreed to participate in a quality control process.
Qualified Customers:
Residential electric customers residing in the state of Utah who purchase their electricity from Rocky Mountain Power on rate schedules 1, 2, 3 or 25 qualify. Landlords who own rental properties served by the company in the state of Utah where the tenant is billed on rate schedules 1, 2, 3 or 25 also qualify for this program.
*Find your rate schedule by looking under Detailed Account Activity on your bill. Next to Electric Service you will find Residential Service – Schedule X below your address.
See an example.
Consumer tips for hiring a contractor
· Regardless of any “special deal” offered up by a contractor to work on your home, ask for
three quotes from three different contractors before proceeding with the work. This process
will serve you well in selecting a reputable contractor.
· When securing your three quotes, be sure to give all contractors exactly the same description
of the work you want, including instructions regarding the specifications required by your
utility to qualify for any utility incentives. Have it written into your contract.
· Compare the specifications provide by each contractor against the utility programs and
among the contractors providing the quotes. If they vary, ask for an explanation.
· Ask your contractors for references, make a few calls – it’s always recommended. Ask for
all contractors to provide proof of their contractor’s license and proof of insurance. Do a licensee check and verification by accessing the Utah Division of Occupational and Professional
Licensing, DOPL’s, Web site: www.dopl.utah.gov. Click on “Licensing,” then “Verify a License.” You will be able to search by contractor name, business name, or license number. (Note: some contractors are licensed under the business name, rather than their individual name.)
· Be sure you get a written contract that covers all your project requirements including types
of materials or equipment specifications, costs, clean-up and warranties. Don’t be shy about modifying a contractor’s standard agreement to make sure all expectations are clear and called out in the contract. If you don’t understand the agreement, don’t sign it!
· Obtain a signed lien release prior to payment. Ask all contractors, subcontractors and suppliers
working on your project to sign lien releases prior to paying them for completed services.
· You're in charge, it's your home and money, so make sure you are getting what you
are contracting for.
For more information on hiring a contractor, go to: http://www.commerce.utah.gov/releases/04-04-08_hiring-a-contractor.pdf
CLICK HERE for a list of program qualified contractors.
How to receive your incentive:
Please follow the steps outlined below to ensure timely payment of your incentive. Please note that filling out forms incorrectly/incompletely will result in incentive processing delays or denial.
1. Review the qualifications and specifications for the incentive you are interested in.
2. Contact a participating or program qualified contractor from the list of program contractors. Please refer to the list of incentives to determine if a program qualified contractor is required. Remember to notify your contractor that you want to participate in the Home Energy Savings program for incentives prior to them arriving at your home.
3. Purchase equipment or have services done by a program contractor that meet program requirements.
4. The contractor should provide you with a copy of the incentive form to complete.
You will need to fill out the customer section on the form.
Your contractor is responsible for filling out the contractor section on the form as well as completing the additional documentation requirements. Required documentation includes program worksheets, invoices and proof of payment (canceled check or credit card statement).
5. Once the incentive form and additional documents are completed, the contractor will submit the paperwork to the program. All documents will need to be submitted within 90 days of completion of the service. You should request a copy of the documents submitted for your records.
6. Your incentive check will be issued within 45 days of receipt of your completed and approved incentive application.
HVAC Equipment & Service |
||||
Equipment/ |
Customer incentive |
Contractor incentive |
Qualifications |
Form |
Duct Insulation |
$75 |
$25 |
Existing homes only. |
2009 |
Central A/C equipment Central A/C tune-ups Duct sealing Duct insulation