Manufactured Home HVAC Replacement/Major Tune-up Program
What is this program all about?
Electric cooperatives, with grant funding from the S.C. Energy Office and Central Electric Power Cooperative — the co-ops’ wholesale power provider — are piloting a series of energy efficiency research studies with their members. The studies will seek to determine which energy efficiency measures work best in the state’s manufactured and site-built homes that are served by co-ops.
How will it work?
Each participating co-op will accept applications from its members for its assigned research studies. Applications will be available online and in print. Many co-ops will include applications in their issues of South Carolina Living magazine. Others will distribute applications via direct mail or make them available at co-op offices. After the application period ends on May 14, 2010, a limited number of member-owned and occupied homes served by participating co-ops will be selected for each of the studies, with some of the research specifically for manufactured housing and some for site-built homes.
Why are the co-ops doing this?
As independent, not-for-profit businesses owned by their members, co-ops are different. Their mandate is to provide affordable and reliable power to the people they serve, and look out for the best interests of their member-owners. As the economy struggles to recover, the co-ops and their members continue to face real challenges. More members are joining the co-ops every day, increasing demand for power across the state. Wholesale energy costs are expected to continue to rise worldwide and anticipated federal climate change legislation could force consumer costs even higher. The simplest and cheapest way to address these challenges is for S.C. co-op members to start using energy more wisely and efficiently at home.
Which S.C. electric co-ops are participating in the HVAC Replacement / Major Tune-up Program?
Participating co-ops include Blue Ridge, Coastal, Lynches River, Palmetto and Santee.
How will homes be selected?
Members must complete an application to be considered for program selection. Depending on the program, only S.C. co-op members who live in a site-built or manufactured home are eligible to be chosen for these studies. Since each study targets either site-built or manufactured homes, not all homeowners who apply will qualify for their co-op’s program(s). Expert panels, including co-op staff, will choose a designated number of homes for each study based on research requirements, how well the home matches the specific program needs and other factors as outlined in the rules.
What if my home is picked for one of the studies?
The designated energy efficiency measure for that study will be applied in your home in 2010 at no cost to you. Once you sign the final agreement to participate, the co-ops will collect energy use data before and after installation so that they can later gauge the effectiveness of the measure.
What are the selection criteria for receiving the HVAC upgrade?
Ideally your home would be all electric. You must own your home and the property. We are looking for single and double wide homes built between 1990 and 2008 and prefer that these homes have had no additional rooms added. Your local Cooperative will perform a site visit to assess the physical condition of your home and gather specific information on your heating and cooling system prior to final acceptance in this program.
Does my home have to be heated electrically?
Preference will be given to homes heated with electric furnaces or older heat pumps. You may have either central or window air-conditioning.
What kind of work will be done on my heating and air system?
The work done and equipment installed depends on your home and HVAC system. Work done may include inspecting, testing, sealing and repairing existing duct work. Older heat pumps will be inspected and either tuned up or replaced with an energy efficient heat pump. If you have an electric furnace, we will replace it with an energy efficient heat pump.
How long will the upgrade take?
This upgrade will take anywhere from 1 to 3 days.
Who will do the work?
Licensed contractors will perform the work in your home.
Who warranties the work?
The licensed contractor warrants the labor and manufacturer warrants the equipment.
What happens to my old equipment?
The contractor will remove and properly dispose your old HVAC equipment?
Who owns the new HVAC system?
Central Electric will own your equipment for the duration of the study which ends September 30, 2011. The equipment becomes yours after that date.
What kind of information are you looking for in this study?
Your local electric cooperative will compare your whole house electric use from before and after the HVAC upgrade.
Will my power bill go down?
Most participants will see their electric energy consumption go down after the installation of a new heat pump, some dramatically. There are instances when the installation of a better functioning, more efficient heat pump can contribute to a higher electric bill. This would be true when you switch from gas or oil heat to an electric heat pump. This can also occur if you heated or cooled only one or two rooms instead of the entire house, or if you put up with a cold house in the winter and a hot home in the summer. In this case, the new heat pump will improve your quality of life, which is not reflected in the utility bill.
What is my role in this pilot program?
In addition to giving us permission to have access to your electric energy consumption, you will be asked to provide information on your home and electric consumption, give us access to your home for the assessment and improvements, and fill out questionnaires before, during, and at the end of the study. Even though the study officially ends September 30, 2011, we will continue to monitor your electric consumption. |
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